ilaxSTUDIO.com Archive May 2007 Entries

THE BUTTERFLY | MAY 30, 2007

I swear, I actually had something to say today... but I am too tired to remember. So instead, you get to see more goofy pictures of Data.

We have a laser pointer that has five different shapes it can make - a dot, a star, a mouse, a smiley face, and Data's new favorite - the butterfly. He likes to watch the butterfly fly on the wall, then jump to attack it.

It is hard to tell, but in the first photo, the butterfly is under Data's paws, and in the second, it is about a foot above his paws.

IT'S OFFICIAL | MAY 29, 2007

Guess what came in the mail today?

STAR WARS STAMPS | MAY 28, 2007

In case you were wondering, I finally bought my Star Wars stamps last Friday at the post office. The clerk found it quite humorous that I was paying with a Darth Vader Mastercard. I can't wait to use them! I think I will use the first one on a late birthday card to Courtneyincontrol, whose birthday is today!

FRIDAY QUESTION #8 | MAY 25, 2007

Which words do you most often misspell?

This question has been inspired by this internet article - which covered the words (or phrases) that are most often misspelled in search engines. I was disturbed to discover that the misspelled words were mostly names of celebrities, and not very reputable ones at that. But, I suppose if you were a bad speller, these are the types of things you would be searching for on the internet.

Anyway, my dad probably knows best the words I misspell because he triumphantly finds them here and sends me emails titled "website" with my spelling errors included. I always laugh and am impressed that he found them.

If I misspell a word over and over, I try to make a point to learn it. For the longest time, I could not spell the word exercise. Ha ha, maybe that is because I was not using the word in my vocabulary enough! Now, I mostly have problems with words with double letters, such as professor, appointment and misspell (how ironic is it that I misspelled misspell each time in the first draft of this post?). Luckily, spell check finds them for me!

RELIEF | MAY 24, 2007

The presentation workshop at the office turned out to be a lot of fun, even though I could tell I wasn't the only one dreading it! Everyone's presentation was really interesting, and I think they all gave us insight into people's true personalities and interests.

For my presentation, I talked about web design and what I think makes a successful website. I chose that topic because it would give me the chance to tell them how I got interested in web design (which reveals my Star Wars obsession - a very important characteristic of mine) and it was also easy to set up into three points - which made the introduction and closing easier.

I felt more nervous that I normally do, but I am attributing that to being the new staff member. I am still trying to figure out the vibe of my coworkers (fun fun fun).

Anyway, everyone thought I did well, and that I was enthusiastic. My boss even said I am a "strong" presenter. Aww. Like I said, I liked the presentation exercise, and everyone else seemed to as well. The two principals suggested that we continue the workshop every few weeks. I am happy that they take the initiative to improve the skills of their employees.

So far, I really like working there. I am given tasks that I really enjoy (designing floor plans!) and I am starting to learn more about my coworkers, which is exciting. The principals treat everyone with respect and value their thoughts and opinions. I am excited to see what new tasks and responsibilities I am given as I work there longer!

UH OH | MAY 23, 2007

Still trying to figure out what to say tomorrow at work... why do I feel like the topic has to be perfect? If I knew everyone a little bit better, I would know how much leeway I have.

PRESENTATION SKILLS | MAY 22, 2007

On Thursday I have to give an individual presentation to everyone in my office as part of a presentation skills workshop. The presentation can be informative or persuasive, with these examples - how to prepare your favorite recipe, a fun hobby, highlights on a recent trip, or why someone should volunteer/donate to a fundraiser.

Of course, being the goofball that I am, I cannot think of a topic to present that is not in some way humorous to myself. Here are some of the topics I have come up with - how to expertly clean a cat's litter box (a technique I learned in Rome), why Star Wars is superior to all science fiction films, how to fold the fitted bed sheet and make it look like a normal bed sheet (a nice trick my grandma taught me), how to make your cat love you more than your significant other, yeah... I am not being very creative.

What do you think I should present about? I need suggestions from normal, level-headed people! (Oh, and my family too)

WORRIED | MAY 21, 2007

The wedding is getting too close. Steven and I have not had time to sit down and discuss our schedule for a long time. Deadlines are creeping up on us and passing us by. We are getting some things done, but we are going to have to play a bit of catch up soon.

We went to a group ballroom dance class last night in our vain attempt to not look like complete fools when we have our first date as husband and wife. I was feeling a bit confident, thinking maybe the fact that both of us took ballroom dance in college (although not together) would mean that we would know what we were doing.

Nope, we still suck. But, we are not hopeless! I wonder if my lack of grace on the dance floor has anything to do with my lack of grace when it comes to walking in high heels?

FREE | MAY 19, 2007

I don't think the awareness of being out of school hit me until today. I woke up early this morning, and had the freedom to do WHATEVER I WANTED. Of course, I decided that I wanted to take the recycling out and clean the stove, but still, I had the choice.

But soon this feeling will pass. Soon, I will be spending every weekend at a wedding or some sort of party, and I will lose that freedom again. And from what I have heard, I am not the only one who is super occupied this summer, which worries me... is this a normal part of adult life?! Maybe I would rather have the excuse of saying I "can't go" because I need to work on school!!

FRIDAY QUESTION #7 | MAY 18, 2007

What is your caffeinated beverage of choice?

I cannot drink coffee. It makes my stomach turn. I like the smell of it, but if I drink it, even if it is watered down with milk and loaded with sugar, it makes my stomach flip flop and I feel a strange pain inside.

This is problematic because architects are basically hooked up to coffee machines with I.V.s. So when everyone in my office is guzzling coffee, what am I supposed to drink? I still hit the 3:00 zonk-out like everyone else does.

I can only drink so much diet soda before I get sick of that too (for actually the same reason, strange stomach pains). So far, I have just been drinking Propel and water so that I have to go pee so often I don't get sleepy.

Maybe the above question should be what is your method for staying awake at work?

THINKING BLOGGER | MAY 16, 2007

I have been tagged as a "Thinking Blogger" by HolyGirl427, and I am not quite sure what it means except that she likes my blog and that I get to tag 5 others. So thanks (because it was either this or me talking about my job again!).

Five blogs that make me think:

1. Manny - Manny is a cat who lives in NY and is always getting into mischief and being cute... my kind of blog!
2. Courtney - Courtney always has a lot going on, and never fails to make me think about the bigger picture.
3. Diane - I love Diane's writing, especially since she lives so close to me! But alas, she is incognito now after having problems with some creepy internet stuff.
4. Bobbi - this is not a "traditional" blog, but I love her photography! She has such a graphic eye, it is amazing!
5. Elaine - I love her fun attitude and diet soda stats! I think if I met Elaine in person we would get along really well.

Here are the rules:
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.
3. Optional: Display your award proudly. (Badge can be found at Heather's link above because she is better than me and has an actual computer.)

BRAIN TEST | MAY 15, 2007

I don't remember if I mentioned it here, but my employer asked me if I would mind taking a sort-of "personality" test after my interview in March. I was expecting the sort of quiz you fill out in Cosmopolitan magazine, but it turned out to be a three-hour, migraine inducing nightmare.

The test was given by a private company over the internet and categorized into four different sections. I had to answer questions about which characteristics and statements I identified with the least and the most. It was frustrating because it the questions group things together that were all good characteristics or all bad. And you can't really go with your gut feeling because you want to get the job!

I also had to answer questions like "Select the next number in the series: 7 11 19 35. A.38 B. 50 C. 67 D. 73. Those questions were a little bit easier because they were all logical.

Anyway, I obviously got the job, but I was very curious to find out the results of the test that made my boss decide to hire me! I received my evaluation today and was surprised to see that it pinpointed me exactly.

Regarding problem solving/decision making: I think through options in detail and select well-considered courses of action. However, I am reluctant to take risks. So true.
Regarding personal organization/time management: I appreciate operating in a structured work environment (who doesn't?), where people's roles are clearly defined. I am capable of staying on track and handling repetitive tasks. However, I may be too careful and methodical and place too much emphasis on quality control rather than efficiency.
Regarding interpersonal skills: I am capable of establishing basic rapport and apt to take lead in developing relationships with those around me. I am empathetic and likely to contribute to team activities. However, I may be TOO TRUSTING!!! Muah ha ha!

It is nice to know where I can improve when I have barely even started working!

TOLD YOU SO | MAY 14, 2007

Most people thought I was CRAZY when I told them I was getting on the train on 6:25 and riding it for an hour and twenty minutes to work. But when I arrived at the station at 6:20 there were already 30 people waiting there and another 20 arrived. Most of them rode all the way to Chicago as well.

It is not crazy; it is normal here!

And yes, I had a good first day of work! I am not that tired yet, but I know I will be soon.

GIRLY CAT | MAY 13, 2007

FIRST TIME | MAY 12, 2007

And so begins our crazy summer of weddings... we only have to go to three (thus far), but they are all spread exactly two weeks apart, with other "fun" events on the weekends in between, so it adds up to a busy six-week block for Kim and Steven.

Today was my first time being a bridesmaid, for my friend Alejandra. It was more fun than I thought it would be, but of course, the best part of the wedding is always the cake, especially in this case, because it was marble! That is the type of cake Steven and I decided to have at our wedding (but I still haven't tasted marble as good as ours, wink wink!).

Steven and I noticed something in these photos - it seems that I tend to lean my body over if the other person in the photo is shorter than me!

FRIDAY QUESTION #6 | MAY 11, 2007

What is the oldest piece of clothing in your closet that you still wear?

Lately I have been wearing an old pair of jean shorts of mine from 1996. I remember wanting to be comfortable on our six-grade trip to Adventure Land (an amusement park in Iowa) so I convinced my mother to take me to Walmart so I could buy a pair of shorts. I thought these were so cool. They had a thin winnie-the-pooh detail on the lower right leg.

I did not have enough money to buy them; but I wanted to buy them on my own, so I put them on layaway. A pair of $6 shorts, on layaway, at Walmart. How funny is that?

Don't worry, I am not the same size I was in the sixth grade, they have stretched over the years!

IDENTITY | MAY 10, 2007

It is ridiculous that even though I have spent the last four days trying to find room for my possessions in Steven's already-full house, I found it necessary to go shopping for clothes today. Because even though I have a closet BURSTING at the seams with clothes, I want to be wearing new clothes when I start work on Monday. I am sure you would do the same too.

And since I am starting at a new office, in a new city, with new coworkers, I can wear whatever I want and more importantly, be whoever I want! No more "anti-social Kim," no more "judgmental Kim," no more "sometimes-too- bitchy Kim." In fact, it is no longer even Kim. It is Kimberly, because there is already another Kim at the office.

I am going to be nice, and friendly, and social (when appropriate), and easy-going and I AM NOT going to make any of my stupid jokes. I like to think that I have these qualities all the time, and I probably do around people I like, and people I do not know very well, but I know that I was sometimes not-so-nice to my classmates. Muah ha ha, bye bye to them!

I am so excited to start fresh at a new place with new people... I feel like the possibilities are endless. Maybe they aren't, but let me be optimistic and excited for just this one minute.

FINALLY | MAY 9, 2007

Need I say more?

STUPIDO COMPUTER | MAY 8, 2007

My computer is still acting funny, so I am not sure how often I will post this week until I (or Steven) figure out how to fix it. I can update by writing entirely in code, which is what I am doing now, but we all know that isn't any fun.

I had graduation ceremony on Saturday, and a graduation picnic afterwards. It was a fun day, and surprisingly, I didn't feel sad at all about leaving Ames. I felt excited! Now I am at our house in Round Lake unpacking and getting ready to start work on Monday!

I feel so relieved now that I am done with finals and graduation. I didn't have a TON to do, but I was feeling anxious and nervous and not getting much sleep my last week in Ames. All better now!

FRIDAY QUESTION #5 | MAY 4, 2007

I have to update from the computer labs because I managed to kill my computer when I tried to install Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium. Yeah, I knew that POS was going to let me down as soon as I graduated.

Anyway...

What is your favorite kind of cookie?

This question is on my mind because today because I am going to be making a ton of top secret Ilax-recipe sugar cookies (not really top-secret) for my graduation party tomorrow. But I am not sure if sugar cookies are my favorite, or oatmeal raisin, or soft and chewy snicker doodles or fresh chocolate chips... yummy!

WHO LOVES THEIR LITTLE SISTER? | MAY 3, 2007

Just this morning I was thinking, "how do those 'polished' girls do it?" You know, the girls with flawless hair, perfect makeup and a well-assembled outfit... no strand of hair is ever out of place; eyeliner is never smudged. It seems that when I spend time trying to look "polished," something is always off.

After spending the afternoon scanning photos for my younger sister's high school graduation party, I remembered who I can ask for tips - her. We grew up in the same household and have the same mother - but why does she have all the fashion sense? Maybe it is all those silly shows she watches on MTV? Maybe it is the fact that she has a ton of girlfriends and I never did?

Whatever the reason, we still have a lot of time to share all of our beauty secrets (or lack thereof) with each other.

Here we are before we knew better than to care about how we look!

I WILL MISS EH&S | MAY 2, 2007

Tomorrow is my last day working at Environmental Health & Safety. Working there has been such an integral part of my experience at Iowa State University; I can't imagine what it would have been like to work anywhere else. I have so many fun memories of being in the office and also inspecting all the different fume hoods on campus.

I want to tell my supervisors how much I have enjoyed working there, especially with them... but how can I express it in words? I have never had the experience of leaving a job that I really loved, so I am not sure how I will deal with missing the work and coworkers.