The power of an example

An example. This week if figured out just how powerful that can be. Let me explain..

Because of my new job I was in Auckland all of last week. I can honestly say it was one of the most challenging weeks of my life. In addition to the challenges of work, weather, sickness, and even earthquakes I was thrust into a completely foreign environment. Foreign as in 100% non-member. I don't want to sound discriminating, but the people I work with, though they are fantastic people, are not members. Their language and conversation leaves a lot to be desired, most of them smoke, and after work I was the only one that wasn't drinking. For the first time I had the opportunity to say "no thanks, I'm mormon". And yes, I say opportunity because I think that everyone should have a chance to do that. There is a strength that comes to you when you are on your own. A sense of surety that comes when you know people are watching you. And yes, they are watching. And sure enough, by the end of the week, people had, miraculously, stopped swearing almost completely, everyone that I had said "no thanks, I don't drink" to admitted to me the wisdom in my choice, and in some cases, even put down their own beers. 

Now I understand what it means to be 'in the world but not of the world'. Those who were at seminary graduation may recall these words - we must be tight like unto a dish, don't let the evils of the world get in. Tight like unto a dish. Now I understand.

So how did I handle this situation? Well like I said, it was one of the most challenging weeks of my life. But from this challenge in particular, I have grown so much. And now, I appreciate the power that an example can have. The power that I have. And with that, the responsibility to share that what makes me so different. 

This...

made me even happier. If that is possible. 

I love my family.

As I was heading to work this morning I realized (again) just how fantabulously wonderfully beautiful life is. Yeah, I know that doesn't make sense and some of those aren't even words, but SERIOUSLY there are no words.

I have an amazing life

And do you know what? I don't even care that I have to wake up at 6am. I don't care that I'm eating PB&J for lunch every day. It doesn't matter that I didn't make as many sales as I hoped for today. Rain? All righty! 30 degree heat? Bring it on! Do you know why? Cause I love the sun. I love the rain. I love work. I love PB&J and I am even beginning to love mornings! I just LOVE LIFE! It is SO good! 

And I am just plain happy 

1st day of work

Just so you know, I'm pretty much the bomb. Yup, and humble too. Why? Well lets just say 1st day of work was pretty sweet. I predict lots of (actually only about 66, but don't tell my boss that yet) long, fun, hot, challenging, but awesome days in the near future. It's gunna be great.

At ysa last sunday (I LOVE the ysa ward here!) I heard this quote..

"Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, that the love of work is success."   -President David O. McKay 

Amen!

 

A few random thoughts...

It's rather late and I don't feel like sleeping, so here's some random thoughts.
Cyclones. I have now experienced (small) several cyclones, aka hurricanes. It's no big deal really, I actually prefer blizzards.
Earthquakes. I have yet to experience one of those. And everyone thinks I am crazy for wanting to. But seriously, I think it would be the coolest!
Humidity and I have a love hate relationship.
People with a highter IQ tend to stay up later and wake up later. It's true, I read it on the internet.
Lately I have been a bit anti social. It's not good. I'm gunna have to work on that.
I get to see Grammy and Grandad in a couple days. Not really sure when they are getting here, but I am really looking forward to that.
58 days :)
I start work in two days. I'm super excited for that. I swear, I'm not normal.
I have officially decided that mail is over rated. Email is so much more convenient.
My favorite invention ever? Tweezers. and washing machines.
There are so many flies here right now. I have taken up the habit of caring a fly swatter around all the time. Like right now, I have two with me. One for my left hand one for my right. I think I killed at least 300 today.
Travis Pastrana and Nitro Circus are in New Zealand. Tonight they had a show on at Waikato Stadium. Tickets were $160. I didn't go. So gutted.
I love crossword puzzles.
I'm starting to get sleepy, so I guess that's all.
Sorry to anybody who read this entire useless post thinking that there might be something interesting at the end. There's not. The end

I'm a marketeer

45 copies of my resume, 30 applications, 20 cover letters, 15 emails, 6 interviews and several blisters later... I am officially employed! I am a markateer!
Getting this job was so much harder than any of the jobs that I have gotten in the past. But this was so much more rewarding. This is really the first job that I have gotten by myself. Without any reputation, my own or my family's. No one knows me here. If they employed me, it was because of me, not because of my Dad (sorry Dad, but you know how it is). 
But really, it wasn't all me, my other father, my Father in Heaven is the real reason I got this job. I know He was directing me every step of the way. I had faith that He would help me find a work. After a couple weeks had past and still no luck I will admit I was feeling a little discouraged but now I see what He was trying to show me. Patience, among other things. And who knows, maybe there are other reasons that I am supposed to be there. Either way, I know that He loves me dearly, wants what is best for me and will always help me achieve it so long as I am living how I am supposed to. I am so grateful for that.


So I will tell you how it all went down, cause it's actually a funny little story..
After walking all over malls and shopping centers and having no luck I decided to try the online approach. I searched and applied for dozens of jobs. Basically every job in the Hamilton area. And the next day I started getting rejection letters back. 'Sorry we've already filled the position' or 'sorry you're not quite what we're looking for'. I'll tell you, it's really hard on one's ego. On tuesday I got a call (lucky I heard it ring, my phone was on vibrate) from Paul from Global Sport. He said it looked like I fit some of their qualifications and would I like to come in for an interview tomorrow? I said absolutely, what time, what place, etc. I got of the phone and realized that I didn't have a clue what Global Sports was! I didn't even remember applying for it! I had absolutely no chance of getting this job. you wanna know why?
1. Global Sports Marketing?? Which part of that sounds applicable to me?? Maybe the 'Global' part? Certainly not 'Sports' or 'marketing'
2. Marketing?? Whatever that involves, I'm sure I'm not qualified.
3. I have like, zero experience.
4. I don't even know what this company is! 
5. I was told to dress 'business casual'. What the heck is business casual?? Like suits and stuff?? What is this?? Now I'm really intimidated!


But I decided I would go to the interview anyways. It couldn't hurt right? I would just chalk it up to experience. And it might even be good for some laughs. I had a slight hang up over the business casual thing. It took me a while to find something that I think worked. Good old faithful black skirt, you are a life saver. 
So after solving the problem of attire I jumped on a bus and was off into the real world of suits and ties. (not really but it sounds grown up)


Funny note: I walked past the building three times before I finally found it. It's a weird beige, yellowy color. It blends right in. Not my fault.


Anyway, here's how the interview went..


Paul: So Brittney, what do you think you can do for our company?
Me: I'm so fantastic, I can do this, this and this. Basically I'm all around amazing, you really want me to work for you. 
     (not the exact words, I'm paraphrasing here. But that's basically how any interview goes down)
blah blah blah...10 minutes talk later...
Paul: "So here's how it works, I have interviewed 30 applicants and am going to invite 4 to come back for further questions and evaluations. I will review the applications tonight and call the lucky ones back tomorrow.
Me: "mmmmkay.."
Paul: "So I'm just gonna be honest with you..."
  (at this point I'm thinking of getting out of there asap and avoiding any further humiliation, also I was thinking about lunch, and if I should drop my application off at the pet store down the road, oh and maybe the cafe on the corner)
Me (out loud): "mmmmkay.."
Paul: "I really like what I see here and am just going to invite you back right now. Are you free tomorrow morning?"
Me: "mmmmmkay................wait, WHAT?"


I walked out of that building literally laughing out loud! I skipped right past that stinky little pet store and was too elated to even think about lunch. I'm pretty sure the bus driver thought I was insane. 


The next day was sorta the same. Lots of questions on both sides. Lots of talking. I got to learn more about what I would be doing and everything. At the end of it all another interview with Paul. It was a little deja vu. 
Paul: "Well Brittney, it seems like you did really good. Normally I would wait until later on today to call you but I have already made my decision. (Insert small, suspenseful pause here) Congratulations, your hired."


Three best words of my life.


By the way, were you wondering what Global Sports Marketing is all about? I'll tell you. Now that I have figured it our for myself. If you don't care, skip this paragraph. 

Global Sports is a sport marketing company based in Australia. They raise money for major sports teams and organizations. Like NZ and Aus para-lympic teams, touch rugby NZ national team, and QLD Surf livesaving. They contract us to raise millions of dollars to support their teams. So we go out and fundraise and sell various merchandise to the general public. In a nutshell, We do the fundraising for them and keep a percentage for ourselves. Sounds great.

And now, well I'm not intimidated at all. It sounds like it might actually be fun. And I think I will be really good at it (I know, I'm humble too!). Here's why..
1. They had redbull, snowboarding, and surfing magazines in the lobby. 
2. Paul is a really short read head with a goatee. Kinda leprechaun like. And actually really funny.
3. While I was waiting in the lobby I heard some music blasting and a lot of cheering. The receptionist said they were having a meeting. Sweet.
4. I'm pretty sure I could have done a lot better job selling stuff than the girl that had already been there a month.
5. Remember all those girls choir tickets and fundraising I used to do? Yeah, I'm sorta loving Mrs. D right now.
6. You can earn a lot of money. But of course, thats not the important part. Ha, yeah right.


So anyways. you can address me as Ms Global Sports Marketing. Marketing person? Marketing woman? Market-er? Marketeer? Yeah,  I like that. :D

Dear Wintec University,

Why must you make this so difficult? Why must your enrollment declaration forms be so hard to find? Why must your website be so difficult to navigate? Nobody else made it this hard, why do you think you are so special?  I am sick and tired of searching for, filling out, emailing, mailing, faxing, posting, sending, declaring, checking, singing, and dating your endless forms!
But, I understand now. I'm on to your little secret. You think that if I die trying to fill out these forms then you won't have to admit me to your university. HA! Secrets out now! and news flash for ya, It's not going to work!! I'm coming to your school and not even your ridiculously stupid application process can stop me! Bwahahaha!!

Sincerely,
Brittney Clarke

P.S. That was a pretty lousy birthday present

YES!

Tickets are booked. It's officially official. I AM GOING TO PERU. 

11 weeks. 1 day. 15 hours. 11 minutes. 4 seconds and counting. 

Now all I need is a job. Wish me luck.

I was going to put a fantastic picture on here in an attempt to convey how freakishly excited I am... buuut. it's too late. sorry. Your just gunna have to imagine me jumping up and down for joy. That shouldn't be too hard.