The Year of the Tiger (2010): With Every Challenge, There is a Blessing.

I couldn't explain the feeling I had then and still can't even today as to why I started 2010 with the most optimistic of feelings.  I didn't know what experiences would come; however, I knew they would be great (in magnitude, not size) and welcomed.  Looking back on the last 12 months...I was right.

• In January, I made it official and began my marketing business, One Epiphany, LLC.  Wasn't ready for it, but I jumped in anyway and for the teaching moments I have had, I am blessed.

• After year on the job hunt, I was finally offered employment with the US Census.  It was temporary, but employment nonetheless and for that I was blessed.

• I was awarded a scholarship to participate in the "Making a Lateral Move into Advertising" pilot program.  Since I traveled from Richmond, VA to New York City each month to participate, it cost me travel money and time.  Even so I felt blessed. 

• After 7 months of trying to rent out my house, I found a roommate. Later I found full-time tenants who have treated my home as it was theirs and for this I am blessed.

• Four months after establishing my own company, I had my first "real client" (signed contract and deposited check) and for this I am blessed.

• When I was literally all packed up, moved to another state, and uncertain as to what to if or when I would work professionally in my field of interest, a door of opportunity opened that kept me in Richmond a little longer.  It wasn't the type of work I had wanted, but it gave me exposure to the advertising industry I had grown to love and for that I was blessed.

• After months of stress and prayer, the heaviest of my financial burdens was lifted and for this I am wonderfully blessed.

• In 2009 & 2010 combined, I applied to almost 750 jobs in search of full-time employment.  Jobs I was over-qualified for, jobs I was under-qualified for, as well as jobs I thought were made just for me.  Between June 1 & August 31, 2010 I applied to only 52 positions.  It may sound odd to some, but for the decreased number of hours on the computer & on the road searching for a job...yes, for that I was blessed.

• By early summer 2010, I had a focus on the type of advertising career I wanted as well as individuals willing to help guide me along the way and for this I am truly blessed.

• Three times this year people have opened up their homes, for months at a time, so I could find my footing as I continued up a difficult path and for this I was  blessed.

• In Fall 2010, I was offered a position for which I had not applied and it was exactly in the area of advertising I was targeting as well as with the type of account I had wanted to work on and for this I am blessed.

• To have the constant support of family and friends believing in me and cheering me on every step of the way has been utterly amazing & humbling and for this I will FOREVER be blessed.

This year (2010) has been one of the most challenging years I have had to experience, but it was also the one with the most blessings.

How the Everyday Person Should Use Twitter

When people ask why I use or like Twitter, I always describe it as the "lazy man's Google". Unlike Google where you have to know what problem you are trying to solve or what information you wish to seek, with Twitter once you begin following people information comes to you. As a result, I am able to expose myself to more facets of life, people, technology, politics, pop culture or any other topic without ever having to know specifically what I want to discover. :-D

This brings me to Digital Daily's QOTD for September 3, 2010:

“Google is very good at ‘I need to solve a problem, I need to buy something, I need an answer. Twitter is more ‘I’m interested in many things, I don’t know what I need to know.’” – Twitter CEO Evan Williams

Also be sure to read a related post: Twitter for Business

Hindsight is Always 20/20

An unintended birthday present to me: no blogging for the month of April :-D

Written: June 13, 2010

For the Lover in You...

Source: FunMunch

Too Many Things Are On My Mind

Too many things are on my mind and there is too little time to get them organized and write a post or two. Let's hope February will commence a less chaotic mental state as there are a couple of prongs in the fire that you may find interesting and I wish to share with you soon.

It's a New Year!

After spending time with my family over the holidays, I am looking forward to the many blessings 2010 has to offer.

What are you looking forward to in 2010?

Adina Nyree / Certified Organic Debut Album

Adina Nyree is a multi-talented singer and spoken word artist whose deb ut album ‘Certified Organic’ drops on November 14, 2009. Please show her love & support.

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Adina Nyree combines soulful vocals with rhythmic melodies and thoughtful prose. With elements of soul, jazz, pop, and blues, she describes her brand of music as “a return of good, real (un-sampled, original) music with lyrics that mean something, that stand for something.”

'Certified Organic', the debut album, can be purchased at adinanyree.com or any live shows and will be available for sale on iTunes and cdbaby.com later this year. The first 100 people to order a copy will receive an autographed free poster of the 'Certified Organic' album cover. Ten percent of 'Certified Organic' album sale profits will be donated to amfAR, Save Dafur, Stop Global Warming and Amnesty International. For additional information visit http://www.adinanyree.com.

'Certified Organic' CD Giveaway: Go to http://tinyurl.com/Nov5AdinaNyree for details on how to win.

NYC Tri-State Residents: Come to the album release party on Saturday, November 14th at the Bassline Jazz Club an d help Adina Nyree usher in a great album of music, song and spoken word. Party starts at 7:30 PM. Advance tickets are available at http://www.adinanyree.com for $25. Tickets will be $30 at the door. Tickets include admission, appetizers and the BRAND NEW 'Certified Organic' CD.

Thank you for all your support.

~ Adina Nyree and the Band

Blog Makeover

~Before~

~After~

Today I finished giving my blog a visual makeover.

Tell me what you think.
Offer suggestions on how I can make the layout even better.
I really want to know your thoughts.

In fact if someone can tell me how to widen the body or content portion of my blog so it extends more to the left....I'll love ya forever!


P.S., I'm not the best at html, but I am a quick study.

Do you think he should be charged?

Man Caught Making Coffee Naked in His Home Faces Indecent Exposure Charges

Simply put....we all better start closing our blinds!

Mascara: Fake or Real? Does it make a difference?

Every time I see a TV commercial for mascara I can't help but shake my head. If the product really works the way it says it does, why use models with fake lashes to get the point across?

What triggers you to buy a particular mascara? Does the use of fake lashes in ads sway you at all?

Here are a couple of comments I received on Facebook when I posted the question there.

"my brand loyality is to the old school maybelline mascara. years ago on a shoot a make up artist told me that's the best one and i've used it ever since. i will try other brands if given a freebie but honestly i agree that the maybelline is the best and i've noticed that most professional make up artists use it too. i have naturally long lashes so no the ads don't sway me at all. i like to use the mascara to enhance what i already have but i do have a lot of friends who spend BIG bucks on false lashes" - SS

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"No because I know they're fake. Its pretty much a brand thing for me. I like covergirl mascara because I like covergirl make up and Queen Latifah. :-D" - SL

Post a comment and tell me your thoughts?

I heart Brandcenter - The documentary

Two years ago I made a decision to return to school and earn a Masters in advertising specializing in Creative Brand Management. Now it is September 2009. I have my Masters and out of the blue I am reminded that I shall be a part of the Brandcenter's architectural documentary for as long as Clive Wilkinson and YouTube remain in the forefront of their industries. You can see me at the beginning and the end of the video attached below.

As one of my former classmates said, "I heart Brandcenter." :-D

Shark Tank Commentary

If you would like to see comments I posted to the Shark Tank discussion board click here.

Shark Tank - LOVE IT!

Watching Shark Tank on ABC. Love it! Gives viewers an idea of what they need to know when starting a new business, seeking loans or investors as well as shows different presentation styles.

Favorite Quote (aired August 23, 2009)
Kevin O'Leary: "sold my company for $3.2 Billion & it was all licenses"
Seller: "Did you say $3.2 with a 'b' ?"

New fav (aired August 23, 2009)
Kevin O'Leary: "You're dead to me, you're gone. I don't even know who you are...you're a vapor."

Let's hope none of us ever get on his bad side!

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Updated August 30, 2009: If you would like to see comments I posted to the Shark Tank discussion board click here. Then search for 1epiphanee.

Seize the Day

I was never a big Michael Jackson fan. I remember being in elementary school and while my one sister had posters of MJ in her bedroom, I loved me some Prince. Even so, I am deeply saddened by Michael’s death. Michael is an icon of my youth similar to how the Jackson 5 was for my parents, who are between 6 and 10 years older than Michael. It brings to the forefront how life can vanish away unexpectedly at any age. It makes me acknowledge my own age and all that is still left to accomplish.

I pray for the Jackson family especially Michael’s children. I hope he planned for the unexpected so there will not be any bitter family feuds during a time they should be rejoicing his memory. In this time, all I can do is think “Seize the Day”. Yes, seize it while you still can.

ADCOLOR Awards 2009

I want my company to sponsor my attendance at the ADCOLOR Awards. Is it too early to start planning...especially when you don't have a job? Guess that means I had better get on it!

2009 ADCOLOR® Awards in Phoenix, Arizona on October 4, 2009

American Mania: When More Is Not Enough

If you have about 25 minutes to spare, I recommend you watch/listen to the video below. The speaker shed some interesting facts on human behavior in a way that is easy to understand. One thing for certain is now I know WHY visualization is encouraged before doing something and I now know WHY I feel like I'm getting a cold many mornings when I wake up. Watch the video. You will probably learn something too.

Caption: Leading neuropsychiatrist Peter Whybrow, author of "American Mania: When More Is Not Enough," takes a neurobiological look at the instinctual and social behaviors that drive decision making.

Found at: www.The FrontierProject.com
Original Source: Unknown

Does Love = Courage?

A friend on FB wrote the following status update, "I was told that LOVE is a form of courage. Do you believe that or what?"

I was compelled enough to reply and decided to share my thoughts with you. I hope in return you will share your thoughts with me.

My Response:
Yes or at least hearing this for the 1st time it seems to make sense.
To love you must have the courage to get hurt and the courage to try again.
To love you must have enough courage to tough it out during the valleys to reach the mountain tops.
It also takes courage to love someone enough to let them go.
Yeah, that seals it. I do believe it is a form of courage.

What is your Eco Footprint?

I will have to see how I can do better because I didn't think I was doing this poorly.

At least there are some ways I can actively do better especially in the transportation realm.

Why not do yours and let me know how you plan to make a change.
http://www.ecofoot.org/

Kiss Me! It's my birthday!

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

I was on the NAVYforMoms website and found this post. It really hit home for me given some things going on in my life right now. I hope it does the same for you.