Lesson Learned: It's OK to freak out with joy!

Sometimes my job has its perks. Tuesday, Betsy Myers was in town. Myers was one of President Barack Obama's top advisers during the presidential campaign. Her title was literally Chair of Women. Myers was in Greenville to speak at a leadership series at East Carolina University.

Since my story completely fell through for the day all I had to do was go to the speech and get an interview with her. I was supposed to show up early and get the interview before Myers spoke so I could sneak out in the middle but I ended up having to wait until afterwards. It's a rare opportunity for me to actually get to sit down and listen to a speech like this in its entirety, so I was excited.

Myers told this one story about her 3 year old daughter and I'll try to summarize it up as best I can. Basically Myers was with her daughter buying her a leotard, tutu, and ballet flats in preparation for her first dance class. Apparently her 3 year old daughter was standing in front of the mirror in the dressing room outfitted in all of her new stuff and turned to Betsy and said, "Mom I'm freaking out with joy."

Betsy said, a kid can so easily express emotions like that, it's adults that have a more difficult time, but sometimes us adults are exactly the ones that need to freak out with joy...lesson learned

I know this entry had absolutely nothing to do with what Myers had to say about being a good leader so here's two of her points I found most interesting:

1. Employees do better work when they feel appreciated and valued. Sometimes all an employee needs to hear is thank you.

2. Make sure you get feedback from your co-workers, family, and friends about the job you are doing. Sometimes your perception of what's going on at work is not what your peers perception is.

A Must Read, 'Lone Survivor' by Marcus Luttrell

After finishing the Twilight series I thought it was a good time to start reading something with a bit more depth. Don’t get me wrong, blood sucking vampires are always compelling but you’ve got to expand your horizons.

A good friend of mine suggested ‘Lone Survivor.' Over the summer while staying at my parent’s beach house in New Buffalo, Michigan I actually saw this friend of mine shed a few tears over the novel, but I figured I could handle it.

Although Mr. Luttrell has absolutely nothing good to say about the media it was a fantastic read. The only thing I knew about Navy Seals before the book was based off the movie G.I Jane, so I had a lot to learn.

It’s an inspirational story about one man’s survival after his team got gun downed by a group of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. I’m ending things there so you can read the rest for yourself.

I tried finding Marcus’s contact information because I wanted to tell him not all journalists report something without the facts, but my investigation came up short, no email address could be found. So Marcus if someday, somehow, you stumble upon this little blog of mine, let me know at nrkaplan@gmail.com, because we need to talk.

Lesson Learned: You never know what you're signing up for

I’ve discovered the Cardio Combat class at Gold’s Gym on Sundays. So, what is Cardio Combat you might ask? Well, it’s 60 minutes of intense cardio based around kickboxing techniques like round house kicks (yes Karate Kid style).

When I first signed up I thought it would be a great way to start using some muscles I otherwise would completely neglect but then Cardio Combat turned out to be so much more.

At first I was a little frightened when the instructor yelled at me to bash my opponents head into my knee (which really was a right knee lift). I was also a little surprised when I was ordered to punch her in the face, jab her in the stomach, and finish her off with an upper cut. I managed to add a front and side kick in there somewhere as well.

I’ve never gotten into a fight in my entire life. The closest I came was in 7th grade at a Bat-Mitzvah. I was slow dancing to Seal with another girl’s boyfriend when she stormed over and started to get fresh with me. My best friend Amanda jumped in and told the girl, “At least she doesn’t have Jenny Craig on speed dial.” The girl slapped Amanda, I’ll never forget that.

During my first kickboxing class I had to hold back giggles at times, I couldn’t believe how violent the instructor was being. Then I started to get really into it. I imagined that snooty 12 year old girl standing in front of me with fire in her eyes. Now, I had the skills to knock her out before Seal finished "Kissed From A Rose". Even though that class is about the only time you’ll ever see me act aggressively, I still am proud to say I have a few tricks up my sleeve, so watch out, I take kick boxing…lesson learned

Haiti Needs Help, Donate If You Can

Tens of thousands of people have been killed in Haiti after an earthquake hit earlier this week but there’s no word yet on exactly how many have died. I’ve seen video of crews literally piling dead bodies on top of each other on street corners.

They don’t have the resources that we have here and the country can use as much help as it can get. I’m sure there are many ways to make a donation but the US State Department has set up an extremely simple way for us to give. If you text Haiti to 90999 a donation of $10 will be given to the Red Cross that automatically helps relief efforts. That $10 amount will then be charged to your cell phone bill. Unfortunately I can not be 100% sure that money is going to be used by the Red Cross in the best way possible, but I have faith it will help someone somehow.

Lesson Learned: With friends & family, it's the best way to spend New Years Eve.

Chicago in January = Frigid temperatures, several inches of snow, and icy road conditions. However, that’s where my friends and family were so that’s where I rang in the New Year.

I’ve had my fair share of New Years celebrations in places around the United States but this year I wanted to take it easy. One of my best friends, Jessica, graciously opened up her downtown Chicago apartment and that’s where festivities started around 8:30pm December 31st.

This year my goal was to put my friends on the spot and find out what their New Years resolutions were and I wasn’t disappointed (Click on the video below to hear what a group of 25/26 year olds had to say).

My New Years resolution for 2010, complain less. I’ve got it pretty good and this year I would rather appreciate what I have than complain about what I don’t. If you get to spend New Years Eve with your best friends and family you’re already in a much better boat than most out there…lesson learned.

Lesson Learned: Some chain letters are worth the read

I've never been particularly fond of chain letters, reading them or sending them out. However, one of my good friends sent me this one after the New Year and it hit a soft spot. To all my girlfriends out there hopefully this will help you, like it did me, kick off 2010 the right way!

A Poem About Our Girlfriends

Someone will always be prettier. 

Someone will always be smarter. 

Some of their houses will be bigger. 

Some will drive a better car. 

Their children will do better in school. 

And their husband will fix more things around the house. 

So let it go, and love you and your circumstances.

Think about it! 

The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart. 

The most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children. 

The richest woman you know, she's got the car, the house, the clothes~ might be lonely. 

And the Word says, 'If I have not Love, I am nothing.' So, again, love you. 

Love who you are. 

Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say, 

'I am too Blessed to be Stressed and too Anointed, to be Disappointed!' 

'Winners make things happen~~ Losers let things happen.' 

Be 'Blessed' Ladies and pass this on to encourage another woman. 

I woke up this morning, took a little spin in the mirror, and knew that this was going to be a good year! I do want to apologize for not knowing the author, but to whoever it is out there, thank you, this chain letter was worth the read...lesson learned.

Lesson Learned: Only brats cut the bathroom line

Last night I was at Hub 51, it's a restaurant/bar in downtown Chicago. Somehow my friends and I nabbed a table near the back even with a packed house; the only problem was it was nowhere near the bathroom (which is a problem for a person who drinks about 10 glasses of water during dinner).

To get to the restroom I had to maneuver my way around 25 other tables and hoards of partygoers just standing around. Then I had to walk down a flight of stairs and squeeze through another group of people trying to sweet talk their way past a bouncer to get into a more private area. When I spotted the men's restroom line I got nervous, about 20 deep, which meant the girls was probably double. After inching past the ladies reapplying lipstick I was pleasantly surprised by a shorter line, about 10 girls waiting for 5 stalls.

I was 3rd in line when Barbie walked in, blonde, 5'7", black mini dress, and very pretty, I knew she was going to be trouble from the start and I was right. Barbie walked right past about 12 girls clearly standing in line and slid right IN FRONT of me. I almost laughed out loud, this was not going to fly. I casually tapped her back and asked:

"Excuse me, would you mind heading back to the end of the line and waiting like everybody else."

Barbie, "Oh but these are my friends (as she motions to 2 girls in front of her)."

Me, "So just because you know someone at the front of the BATHROOM line that means you can cut the rest of us."

Barbie, "No, I don't think you understand these are my friends."

Clearly I understood what she meant by these are my friends, I just didn't exactly understand why she thought that was acceptable or a worthwhile excuse. I'm not one to hold back, but for some reason I decided to control myself.

Me, "I get it and you already used that line, still doesn't work."

Barbie was done with this conversation, didn't reply, but instead turned around and started talking with her friends.

I'll admit I've cut some lines in my time and thought I was pretty cool for doing it but even I have boundaries. I was weak last night and let it go, Barbie was definitely not worth my time, besides I needed to concentrate on holding my bladder since clearly I was now going to be waiting a little longer.

Exiting the bathroom I was in a much better mood than when I entered and laughed when I saw Barbie walking out too, the only difference this time was she didn’t even bother with the line I was currently waiting in, I guess she’s also to good for washing her hands.