Category Archives: Blog

Living: Just Another Day at the Office

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My little guy and I got to visit his daddy at work yesterday. The trip was made complete with a Happy Meal and an ice cream. My guy also enjoyed entertaining his daddy’s coworkers for a bit. After an adventure like that, he is going to think being a CPA is the best job in the world! 

Living: A Favorite Quote

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"Pursuing what you want to do and achieving your goal is not like finding the burning bush or discovering a gold mine. There are usually no epiphanies, no sudden reversals of fortune. Fulfillment comes in fits and starts… Fulfillment comes in many guises, and it can come into our lives at any time… But only we can make sure it will be fulfilled. If we feel empty, no amount of water can fill our well. It has to come from within, from the underground springs and streams." — Mary Morris

Living: A Favorite Quote

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"Pursuing what you want to do and achieving your goal is not like finding the burning bush or discovering a gold mine. There are usually no epiphanies, no sudden reversals of fortune. Fulfillment comes in fits and starts… Fulfillment comes in many guises, and it can come into our lives at any time… But only we can make sure it will be fulfilled. If we feel empty, no amount of water can fill our well. It has to come from within, from the underground springs and streams." — Mary Morris

Freelancing: My Three Go-To Sources for Work

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To be a successful freelancer you need two things—the ability to provide quality work and clients that are willing to pay for that work. When I decided to become a full-time freelancer, I was certain I could provide writing that would make my editors happy. The right preparations also gave me the confidence that I would have a solid client base to get me started. Here are my three main sources for freelance assignments:  

Former editors and co-workers: I get the bulk of my work from editors I worked for as a full-time staff reporter. I try to never burn a bridge and have always left my past jobs on good terms. Remember, it is a small world!  About a month before I hung my own shingle, I e-mailed all of my former employers and co-workers and let them know I was going freelance. Several wrote back right away and told me they’d add me to their stable of writers. 
 
Alumni contacts: When I first got involved in my alumni networks, securing work was the last thing on my mind. When I moved to the D.C. area, I suddenly realized I didn’t know anyone here, so alumni events were a great way to meet new friends. Without intending to, I’ve actually found several assignments and steady clients. My advice is to sign up for alumni listervs and make time to attend events. I’m not able to attend as many events as I’d like right now, but I do keep track of when and where alumni are getting together and plan to make it when I can.  I’m also a member of Northwestern’s Alumni Admissions Council and devote a weekend to interviewing applicants and additional time throughout the year reaching out to potential students. It is a fun way to meet alumni from different schools within the university and stay connected to the school. 
 
Referrals: Happy customers will typically pass on your name and number when asked. Don’t be shy about asking them to pass on your information if they know of someone looking for a writer. 

Living: Looking Ahead, Looking Back

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The Future Since becoming a mama I often find myself quoting the wisdom of Dr. Suess. Today I was thinking about how our little family is just waiting for baby girl to make her grand appearance when lines from Oh The Places You’ll Go popped in my head. “…For people just waiting. Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or the waiting around for a yes or no or waiting for…” a baby to come. 
 
This little one keeps teasing me, leaving me thinking each night that it could be the last night that we’re a family of three. But, nothing yet. Today I bought milk that expires after my due date, so I know it is getting close. My little guy arrived five weeks early, so I’ve been ready for weeks. Sitting still isn’t easy for me, so even though I cleared my plate once, I’ve taken on a few more projects, lined up some interviews and gotten back into the swing of things for at least another week or so while I finish waiting. 
 
The Past Since I have lightened my workload, I’ve had some time to wrap up some of the many other tasks on my to-do list. I finally transferred the past three years of video of my little guy into iMovie on my Mac. After watching all of the videos again, I realized my favorite shots capture the every day moments that seem so ordinary at the time. My guy saying “no no,” blowing me a kiss or running around with a bare bottom make my heart melt. They also leave me wishing I had captured more of the ordinary. 
 
The Now Between planning for the weeks ahead and looking back at the past, it is sometimes easy to forget about savoring today. Today’s simple joys—taking my little guy for a bike ride, watching him play with his toys and having him help me with dinner—mean even more when I take time to actually notice them. At one point today my little guy looked over at me and said, “We make a great team.” I agree with him. We’re a great team as a duo and it is even better when his daddy is with us. It will be fun to discover our new dynamic when baby girl arrives, too.  No matter what, I hope we can keep savoring the present, planning for our future and smiling over our past.  

Living: A Favorite Quote

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Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable. — Helen Keller

Living: Making it Through the Day

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There are days when even the smallest thing can seem like a mountain to climb. Getting my little guy dressed, explaining why birds fly, finishing a story or just doing the dishes can sometimes seem daunting. A long time ago I heard Marjorie Holmes’s prayer "Just for Today." I had forgotten all the words, but there are several times I find myself repeating the first line– "Oh, God, give me grace for this day."

I just stumbled across the poem again and thought I’d share it (plus, I’m planning on taking my little guy on a few adventures today, which I know will require some extra grace).

Oh, God, give me grace for this day.
Not for a lifetime, nor for next week, not for tomorrow, just for this day.
Direct my thoughts and bless them, 
Direct my work and bless it. 
Direct the things I say and give them blessing, too.
Direct and bless everything that I think and speak and do.
So that for this one day, just this one day, I have the gift of grace that comes from your presence. 

Happy weekending! May you find all the grace you need to get through the fun and to-do lists you have in store.

Living: Take Me Out to the Ballgame

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A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz. — Humphrey Bogart 

A few weeks ago we got to take my little guy to his first Major League Baseball game. The sun was shining, the seats were great and the Nationals won. My guy got to have popcorn and his first Cracker Jacks. He was thrilled when his daddy told him he could have "his very own Sprite"–a rare treat in our house. My guy munched and cheered up until the seventh inning stretch, when we decided to go ahead and head home. It was the perfect way to start our summer! 

Living: Take Me Out to the Ballgame

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A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz. — Humphrey Bogart 

A few weeks ago we got to take my little guy to his first Major League Baseball game. The sun was shining, the seats were great and the Nationals won. My guy got to have popcorn and his first Cracker Jacks. He was thrilled when his daddy told him he could have "his very own Sprite"–a rare treat in our house. My guy munched and cheered up until the seventh inning stretch, when we decided to go ahead and head home. It was the perfect way to start our summer!