Monthly Archives: February 2011

February 15, 2011 · 9:47 am

The most important conversation you’ll ever have

Like most people, I am not a fan of job interviews. They have the potential to be awkward, nerve-wracking and just plain filled with too much pressure.

As a result, since graduating in December, I’ve tried to become an interview expert, researching and reading up on all of the do’s and don’ts of a successful interview. So today I share with you three of my favorite resources to ensuring your interview is as winning as possible.

A book about job searching you will actually want to read:
Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview?: A Crash Course in Finding, Landing, and Keeping Your First Real Job by Ellen Gordon Reeves

This is by far, one of the best books I’ve ever purchased. It’s easy to read, easy to follow and actually makes sense. This review basically sums it up: “Ellen Reeves has entered the depths of young job-seekers’ minds, answering the questions most are afraid to put into words.” Click here to find this book on Amazon.

A little love from the New York Times:
Subtle Cues Can Tell an Interviewer ‘Pick Me’ by Phyllis Korkki

This article is from September ’09, but the content is definitely still applicable. Click here to make sure you’re making all the right moves.

The right answers to all those pesky questions:
How to answer the 64 toughest interview questions

The name says it all. From describing your strengths and weaknesses to explaining why the employer should hire you, you’ll get the answers you need, and more. Click here to read the answers.

Five things I love about Valentine’s Day

I claim there ain’t
Another Saint
As great as Valentine.
-Ogden Nash

Some say Valentine’s Day is nothing more than a manufactured holiday. Did you know that this holiday alone will rack up close to $20 billion in sales? And they say we’re in a recession. Pssh.

But I say Valentine’s Day is all about the simple things. Here are five things I’m loving about today’s holiday:

1. Sweet treats that don’t even require any work – simply remove from box, place on cookie sheet, bake and enjoy!

2. My new Snoopy-themed lunch bag from my mom – perfect for sticking said cookies in!

3. A Charlie Brown Valentine – why stop with the lunch bag alone? Unlucky for me, I think I missed this year’s showing.

4. This book from Josh that I’ve been wanting for weeks – I can’t resist a good dog book, children’s version or not.

5. Getting valentines in the mail – who doesn’t love getting something in the mail?

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February 11, 2011 · 5:18 pm

An egg-cellent choice

I’m not one who cooks often. I’m usually content making a turkey sandwich, eating pre-cooked rice out of a bag or going to Panera, which is just a five-minute walk away from my apartment.

This past Christmas, however, my family seemed intent on having me learn how to cook for myself and I received some fabulous new cookbooks as gifts. I haven’t used them a whole lot yet, but I’m definitely looking forward to it.

The dish I made yesterday didn’t come from a cookbook, but it did come from a family friend who made this delish egg bake for my mom and I last weekend. It’s super simple to prepare and only takes about an hour to make, including prep and baking time. If you’re interested check out the recipe below.

Before:

After:

You will need:

32 oz. cottage cheese (I like the Dean’s brand)
2 8-oz. bags of shredded cheese (I used cheddar and a mixed cheese bag, but you can choose whatever kind you like)
6 eggs
Veggies of your choice (I think broccoli, red pepper and onions are best, but spinach would be tasty as well)

Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and pour into a 13″ x 9″ baking dish. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, and enjoy!

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February 10, 2011 · 9:58 am

Workout mania

Since graduating in December, my membership at the SERF (UW’s on-campus workout facility) promptly expired midway through January. At first, I was at a loss. Not only was the SERF just a five minute walk from my apartment, but I had finally worked up enough courage to do more than just the treadmill and the elliptical machine. I had finally ventured into the weight room and had become a regular at several of the group fitness classes.

With the mountain of snow and ice on the ground, and the temperatures barely hovering above double digits, the weather has not exactly been ideal for running and biking outside. Plus, my budget as of now won’t support a gym membership, at least not for a gym as nice as Lifetime Fitness back home.

So the answer was clear: exercise DVDs. I quickly invested in two five-pound and two eight-pound hand weights and decided that Jillian Michaels, the personal trainer from “The Biggest Loser”, would be my go-to girl. She’s had some controversy come her way and her voice can be slightly obnoxious most of the time, but so far her workouts are great. I now own four of her DVDs, and until I can stand to be outside for longer than 20 minutes, I think I’ll stick with her.

Here are the DVDs I’m currently using:

Jillian Michaels 6 Week Six-Pack
Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred
Jillian Michaels: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism
Jillian Michaels: Shred-It With Weights

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February 9, 2011 · 7:14 pm

My furry little valentine

I promise that my daily posts will not become the sole outlet for me to wax poetic about how much I love my dog or how I think everyone on the planet should donate their time and money to a worthy animal cause, but after yesterday’s post about the Pedigree Foundation, I have more to say.

The ASPCA is currently hosting its 2011 My Furry Valentine Photo Contest. With Valentine’s Day less than a week away, I couldn’t help but enter my pooch, Frasier into the contest.

To enter: remember the moment you realized you and your furry (or finned or feathered) companion were meant to be together forever. Oh, and attach a prize-winning photo of your best friend too. Cute, no?! Puppy love at its finest.

Although I could have written pages about what a good (and at times, very strange) dog Frasier is, here’s my entry and the corresponding photo I sent in:

The moment Frasier’s wolfish blue eyes locked with mine nearly 12 years ago, I knew I had made a friend for life. It is when I left for college four years earlier, however, that I knew my innocent puppy had truly become a treasured member of the family. Each and every time I came home, Frasier acted like I had never left. His love for me never wavered. When I see him sitting at the front door waiting especially for me, and our eyes lock once again, I know he is mine forever.