jgoode

Making new connections

by

Today I am waking up to a pile of new opportunities because I am surrounded by unfamiliarity (oh thats a fancy fun big word). I am away from home, surrounded by many people I’ve never seen let alone met before, yet we all have one thing in common… business online. We are coming together for a conference, each of us at different levels of knowledge and involvement on the topic. We all have different, yet possibly similar, goals and expectations for this experience. And, we’re all here to make new friends.

I Love My Job Penguin

At least, thats what the end result is whether we intend it that way or not. It is after all, a business function… who makes friends in business, right? We’re here for business. To do business. To expand our business horizons and make our bosses or our bottom lines a little happier. Business friends are usually called coworkers or colleagues aren’t they? I am mean this isn’t the place for making real long lasting friendships is it? – there isn’t time for that kind of socializing

Not in my world!

Some of my absolute dearest friends are people I’ve met through the commonality of what we do to pay our bills. Here at Affiliate Summit, there is no exception. Once again I have met more wonderful people. Hear more fantastic stories; been greeted with more smiles and hugs and happy hellos… from people I’ve just met in the last 72 hours. This is why I keep coming back!

Sure, some people are here to network, not make friends. Meet new faces, add new names to the list and connect on a professional, gotta get things done, kind of agenda. Good for them! If it works, keep plugging along. Sometimes, when you aren’t looking, there’s more. Always keep an eyeball open for it…

Meeting new people means more to me. Connecting with old friends is something I treasure. I am delighted to wake up to such a great opportunity as I have today… to make new connections that could last a lifetime. I’ve made many new friends and am overjoyed that I can returned home tomorrow with new faces and names on my Christmas card list. – I can’t wait for “tomorrow” to share and grow together!

Tuesday's Topic: Encouragement

by

Today’s topic comes to mind after a few particularly rough weeks… for me? No, not necessarily. It occurred to me how important it is to encourage others – not only so they can succeed but so we can succeed as well. While talking with others, sharing views, insights, and support I found myself hearing myself echo in my own head. Sometimes that’s due to too much allergy medicine.. but this week I needed to hear what I was saying as much as the other person did.

Encouragement is sharing, helping,
walking along side, holding a hand…
comfort and wisdom combined with sincerity and compassion.

Smiley Sunflower

Encouragement is “the act of giving hope or support to someone”.

The whole concept of “I need to listen to my own advice” has been an oning battle for me. I’ve always had a difficult time really seeing what I need… asking for it is another obstacle all together.

The point here is… helping others to be the best they can be, helping them strive for and reach their goals… listening to their needs and taking the time to really point out (with lots of love) where there is room for improvement can help us all grow. I think the hardest conversations I’ve had in the last few weeks are the ones where I’m critisizing in areas that need to be changed. Makes me feel horrible to point out unhappiness. But really, when we stop to think about it – change isn’t bad.

Floral Art

As long as your intent is there to be helpful, the message will come out as it’s suppose to. It takes a lot of strength, courage and love to stop and tell someone the changes they can make to improve whatever it is they need to improve. It’s so much easier to tell people that what they are doing is great… when maybe it’s only 75% of the greatness they are hoping to achieve. No one really wants to hear “wow thats fantastic!” when improvements can be made to make it truly amazing. We need one another to see that extra bit of growth we are capable of achieving.

Floral Art

So get out there and encourage someone to do something fabulous today – you know, you might need to hear it too… I know you can do and you’ll do it wonderfully!

Featured Designs: Smiley Sunflower, Little Daisy, Pansies

Business on the go

by

This year has been a very busy year for me as far as traveling for business goes. Usually I do all of my work right from home… oh sure, I might move from the office to the kitchen table, to the couch and back again, but my traveling rarely includes leaving the house — this year has been so different. I’m loving the new adventure opportunities.

Not only am I going to various planned conferences and meetings, I am also traveling quite a bit with family and enjoying the benefits of photography and blogging my adventures as a part of my business. So, everywhere I go now becomes a business opportunity. I love my job!

Te Grand Tetons

I’m learning quite a bit about my business traveling skills… they’re nearly non-exsistant. Oh sure, I can pack just fine. I know to bring business cards and clean shirts… possibly a hair brush. However, it’s one thing to travel by yourself, you, a little carry-on and your laptop… maybe a camera. It’s entirely different to be me, my little carry-on, my laptop, my camera bag, my 3 kids, their backpacks and snack packs and plushie poohbear playpacks and my husband, and his gum and books and maps he won’t think he needs…. and our 900 checked suitcases, the rental car and OMG, did you bring the tickets, I can’t find the tickets, where ARE the tickets…. who HAS the TICKETS?!

Bridge in Vancouver BC

“Honey, we’re driving”.

So when I do end up on a trip by myself, I keep doing 360s trying to figure out who I just left or what I just put down that I didn’t bring to begin with. I also found, no matter how well I pack things, I end up taking at least 5 of those little bins, that you put your stuff in, while walking barefoot through security. Eww yeah, I know its barefeet or smiley face socks – you pick. Don’t worry… I strip myself of all belongings in 30 seconds or less. I refuse to be a line holder upper girl. I’m sure I’m quite the site.

I’ve now come to realize, it’s mind boggling how much easier it is to travel in a herd than alone… we can lose our things and our minds together. Not to mention, 12 hands are better than my 3.

I have to say, I am so glad I’m getting out and about this year. I’m meeting more interesting people, that many times have a lot in common with myself, and I’m learning more than I ever imagined. New sights and sounds and flavors just add fuel to my creative fire that is finally starting to burn again.

And… It’s nice to give my brain something to chew on.

More topics for Tuesday…Today is also:

• National Lasagna Day.
• NASA Day. On this day in 1958, President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act which created NASA.
• National Photograph Your Children When They’re Not Looking Day.
• Single Working Women’s Week begins today (swwan.org).

View more photos from our most recent trip

Read about more interesting people and places by following My Penguin Travels

Hot dogs are heaven on a bun

by

Tomorrow is National Hot Dog Day – sponsored or encouraged or bribed by the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council. Do you know what they put in hot dogs…  so then what does the council sit around approving??? I dare not stop to think.. eek!

Originally, today, I was going to focus on the fact that my favorite fun trivia sight seems to be officially broken. There’s been no new trivia since July 1st. Such a sad thing when one can’t find fun trivia to fill the void.

But then I discovered the hog dog happiness and I had to share…

My family and I recently went on a 12 day road trip. We spent time with family and time on our own adventuring and exploring. I’m pretty sure, as a family, we ate more hot dogs in one week than any small army should eat in a year — and we loved it! (It’s best not to think of the ingredients when consuming). The funny thing, when you think about it… I don’t think we even varied the hot dog accessorizing. I mean, you can have corn dogs or chili dogs or dogs on a bun… naked dogs, dogs and kraut… and the list goes on. We have your standard hot dog on a bun with ketchup and mustard… viola! If anything, we’re consistent.


Hot Dogs are Happiness

So my thought on all this… sometimes yuckie ingredients make for spendid memories.

~wink

Have a Happy Hot Dog Day!

Friends

by

I’ve got a lot of different angles on friends these days. My 5 year old is just starting to make his own friends. My 12 year old realizing what a good friend really is. I have friends that I see parting ways and friends holding on dearly to whatever friend they can find… There are friends that are always there no matter how long its been since we last talked. I’ve made many friends and lost many friends over the years… moving around and growing up, changing careers and hobbies, etc. play a big role in where friendships stay. There’s also the new friends that I feel like I’ve known forever and the old friends that are so dear to me every day.

So when I thought “friends” would be a good topic for the daily design… I was amazed to find I only have 2 designs labeled “friend”. What’s up with that? How could I be so all about building relationships and now have more friend fun?

Girl's Best Friend

Wikipedia defines a friend as:

“Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more beings… A friend is someone who may often demonstrate reciprocating and reflective behaviors. Yet for many, friendship is nothing more than the trust that someone or something will not harm them.”
That is only a snipped version of the full definition, which turned out to be a surprisingly long and overly technical view on “friend”. wow!

The Urban Dictionary’s topic definition of friend is:

    A real friend is someone who:a)it’s okay to fart in front of.

    b)you don’t mind talking to on the bus for atleast 20 minutes.

    c)can borrow $5 and never has to pay it back

    d)you’ll actually call up do stuff.

To me, a friend is many things…

Someone you can trust with your kids and your secrets – someone you don’t mind taking your stinky shoes off in front of – someone you can not only laugh and cry with but also celebrate, brainstorm and confide in. A friend is someone that cheers you on when you need the encouragement but also knows how to kick you in the behind when you need a reality check and a nudge.

Best Friend Panda Bears

What does friend mean to you?

if you have a friend idea, holler!

Tuesday's Topic: family time on your toes

by

I just got back from a long day of family bonding and walking. Yes, walking. Our family vacation is a sight seeing holiday around Vancouver, BC. and we managed to spend the entire day today walking — way more than we intended. We visited Stanley park, an enormous public park filled with a huge array of activities. We managed to walk 5/8 of the perimeter as well as visit the miniature railroad and Vancouver aquarium. We even saw a 28 day old Beluga whale – amazing!

We continued to walk the seawall down to The Lookout… a build with a look out near the top – similar to Seattle’s Space Needle. We arrived right before sunset; I’m hoping I caught some great photos. Then we walked down into Gastown for dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory. We had a so-so meal as far as the food goes, but a fabulous family time experience… we needed a place we could flop down and just enjoy some food

Then, we planned on taking a cap back to the hotel, but instead, due to third party ATMs and US bank cards not coordinating, we walked all the way back to our hotel on north Robson.

Like I said, much more walking than we had planned, but a fabulous day with each other. I can’t remember the last time we spent so much time with no one and nothing but ourselves.

I don’t think we need to plan a walking tour of some unknown plan to relive this same kind of quality time… but I do think a causal day at the local park would do just fine. You should try it too… it’s quite lovely.

You know me, I’m all about having an excuse to make another sunshiney day…


Smiley Sunflower

Tuesday's Topic: Family bonding and hot dogs

by

Welcome to July and Happy Tuesday! Bonus, it’s a brand new month AND we get to eat hot dogs by the pound for weeks now. Well… at least my family will be

In the not too distant future I will be venturing off onto a road trip with my 3 children (and adorably dorky husband, of course). We’re traveling to visit family and have a little vacation time together. I love road trips and I really enjoy spending unscheduled, unplanned, unorganized time with my family. It’s nice to just “wing it”. We discover new things together, explore, maybe we’re not extremely adventurous, but we do try to be open to finding new unexpected things around occasional corners.

I’m hoping we’ll find some neat stops that aren’t necessarily “on the map”.

I’ll tell you about them as I find them.


Bless America with the Statue of Liberty Penguin

I hope you enjoy your July 4th – and if you’re celebrating, stay safe!