5K for Charity

Every year my company does a 5K together for charity. We recently ran in the Oktoberfest 5K in Addison which benefitted Wipe Out Kids' Cancer. I trained pretty hard the last two weeks for this event, and I was pretty happy with my results.

I was the second from my office to finish. Shawn, an IT guy, was about 100 meters in front of me, and I couldn't catch him at the end. I did get fifth in my age group with a time of 24:55. Here are some photos.

Summer O' Fun!

Because I put everything on Facebook these days, I neglect to post pictures on here. So here's a little glimpse at my summer, which was pretty fun!


Here's Amber, my roommate, and I out for her birthday. We finally had a reason to try Agave Azul, great Mexican food, and stayed for some salsa dancing. It was a fun night!

Sorry this picture is so far away. This group from my ward won the Carrollton Stake Co-Ed volleyball championship. I also played on the women's team, which also won the stake championship. It was a long, tiring day of volleyball, but I loved it!

Amber, Lauren and I went to see the opera Turandot at the Bass Hall. It was awesome, and we got to dress up a little bit that night, which is always fun!

This is at Cherie's surprise birthday party. Amber, Cherie, Lauren and I took a cute photo!

So a few of us went out on Lake Grapevine and went sailing. It was fun, and we got to help steer the boat. You can't really tell, but Jon, Mitch and I are standing on top of the boat. It was a little scary but fun!

Holiday weekend

This past week has been a blast! My sister, bro in law and niece came into town last week, and I drove probably 1,000 miles going back and forth to see them. But it was pretty fun and relaxing! I did a lot of swimming, playing games, chasing nieces and nephews and of course--eating. After all, that's what we Wallace's do best, right? Leah has gotten so big and is still debating if I'm ok or not. I took Thursday off and relaxed with everyone. I went on this early morning bike ride on Thursday in my hometown, which was pretty interesting. All these memories from growing up there came flooding back (stronger than ever before-maybe I hadn't been in Cleburne for a long, long time). I started remembering who lives where, where I hung out with so and so. The whole being grown thing finally hit me I guess, and it was nice not to care if I saw someone I knew. On Saturday, we had a double baby shower for Hillary and my cousin Amber, which turned into a college football-watching party (as always). Hill, Logan and Leah left on Sunday, but I had some friends come down to Cleburne to hang out on Labor Day. We had fun! I got a good little Texas sunburn and also went sailing last night. I think I officially recharged my batteries! It's been a long but exciting week!

Marketing 101

So now I'm a few weeks into my job and I'm getting more and more comfortable with it and the staff here at Wellness International Network. I love learning new things (like Dreamweaver) and more about marketing. It's new and different but a great opportunity for me. I feel like I'm back in the Communications Department at BYU again sometimes with the learning curve, but it's shaping up to be a great gig! I'm happy here.

I miss getting paid to watch and analyze sports games...not gonna lie...but I don't miss working late nights on deadline. I could get used to this whole 8-5 lifestyle. I do miss working in my PJs at home (like my old online newspaper writing gig) but two jeans days a week isn't bad here. Once in a while I miss seeing my name in print, but I do like the creative/team environment we have here. Plus, we only have to host about one big event a month. I survived my first one pretty easily last weekend, so I'm not too worried about those. I actually have benefits and vacation days etc. too, which I have never had before, so I can't complain! :)

Finally Catching Up

Wow, wow, wow! It's been way too long. I've been busy with figuring out my life, but I have made some progress. Here it goes....

In March, I was informed that my online newspaper company was going under, and I started looking for another job....again. It was a little ironic that I was made employment specialist in my branch, so go figure. I did a few temporary jobs, interviewed some and kept looking... More good news to come on that.

In April, I finished my second season of coaching a club volleyball team. This year I had a group of 14-year-old girls from Denton, which is only 20 minutes away (much better than driving more than an hour to coach in Cleburne like last year). The parents were so great and the girls were fun to teach and a hoot! We did well and won a few trophies. We have an end-of-the year party this weekend.

As of today, I was offered and accepted a marketing writer position with a wellness company in Plano. I love the work I going to be able to do, which will be a lot more creative projects besides just writing. I like the company, pay, benefits and staff. It was a quick process though. They posted the job on Saturday. I applied online on Monday, and I dropped off my paperwork on Tuesday at their office. They kept me there for a three-hour interview, gave me a test on the spot and sent me home with a deadline story to write that afternoon. Last night they sent me an email to come back for a follow-up interview. I knocked them dead again, and they offered it to me. They needed someone last week, so I start on Thursday. I love how things work out!!!!!

Also, my branch recently changed too. In a tri-stake conference a few weeks ago, it was combined with another neighboring singles branch. So church on Sunday was a full chapel of single people, which was quite a change from before. I didn't have to give my assigned talk because of the new changes but will have to speak this coming Sunday. I've prepared hard core for two weeks, so I should be just fine.

I have to go to bed now to ready for my first day of work tomorrow! Wish me luck...more to come soon....I hope!!

Wiiiiiiiks of Fun!!!

Simply put, I love the Wii.

I know it came out months and months ago and people stood in line for hours over the holidays to get one. But my friend left it at my place for the last few weeks, and I'm addicted.

I play it a lot, sometimes several times a day. I can't help it. I get a little competitive and I love that. It's fun thing to do with friends. I try not to be as competitive with them MOST OF THE TIME.

My favorite sport is tennis. I took tennis lessons every summer growing up from the constant push of my mom, who loves the sport. Sadly, I'm a better Wii tennis player than in real life. But that may be safe to say for a lot of us. The only thing I don't like is when you face the same players over and over because of what your scores are. I wish there were more opponents on the computer.

Golf, baseball and bowling can be fun too. I wish they developed more sports too. Perhaps they will.

My first Wii experience came during the Christmas holidays when my sister brought her set and made me play everything. It was kind of fun but had a constant vicious cycle. She kept beating me. I got mad. We'd play again. She kept beating me. I got mad. We'd play again. You get the picture.

Anyway, it's fun....

Has anyone else grown to love the Wii?

Hello American Airlines Center!

So a friend of mine holds a very important role at the American Airlines Center and recently arranged a special night at the AAC for my friends and I on Monday night. (the day after my birthday...I don't want to name names...I don't reveal my sources all the time!)

Anyway, we were able to go out on the Dallas Stars ice and attempt to play a little hockey with modified equipment (little soccer balls, broom sticks and no skates). I have never been a big hockey fan but still competitive as always, I went all out. I nearly scored twice but was not very coordinated on a half inch of ice without skates.

I laughed that I would probably fall about 10 times, but I managed to graciously fall 12 times. I have the scrapes and bruises to prove it. I threw myself up against the wall to check out the experience Mike Modano or any of the other Stars have, and surprisingly it didn't hurt. I also decided on the ice that I wish I was an ice skater. That would be pretty rad.

We took pictures of course and enjoyed the night until we were told we were going on some pretty awesome tours....

Being a huge Mavs fan, it was pretty dang sweet. We went into the Mavs locker room, training room, TV lounge, practice facility and tons more. Oh by the way, we couldn't really touch anything. But just for the record, Dirk wears 3XL pants. They were as long as my Asian friend was tall. Just ask to see my phone, and I can show you all my adventures. My digital camera wouldn't work :( just when I needed it most.

We also went to the Dallas Stars locker room. Honestly, it was nasty smelling in there. But of course that was the "wet room" part of the locker room where they come right off the ice. I guess it's understandable. I was glistening after the whole hockey experience too. Their "dry room" was much better smelling, and I nearly took a piece of gum from their stash.

We went into the dressing room that is used for all the performers that play there. Our tour guide said they spent $20,000 decorating it for Barbara Streisand a few years ago and imported her furniture there too. Must be nice to be a huge star. I heard all the figures about how to run the AAC and it made my head spin. Glad that's not my job. We also went into a few of the most expensive suites in the venue. They were pretty cool, but I liked actually being on the ice better MINUS the falling of course.

To say the least, it was one of the most awesome experiences I've had in a long time. I can say from my war wounds how tough it is to be a hockey player, but I have to say the perks are also pretty awesome too!

P.S. My friends wanted to stow away in the Mavs locker room, but I told I wasn't in because well.... I pretty much can't bend my knees. If I'm limping at some games this week, don't think it's my birthday that is making me look old.

Free Time!!!!!!

So I love all the free time I had to relax and enjoy the Holidays, but since I'm such a busybody, I had to find things to do to fill my time. What else would I do than see movies?

It's one of the only times of the year that I catch up on movies, and I'm proud to say that I've seen almost every movie at the box office. Not too shabby.

I saw the sappy film "P.S. I Love You" yesterday and bawled my little eyes out after already reading reviews in magazines that said "holy sad". Yep, I'm a sucker for these kinds of movies. I liked Hillary Swank and the guys in that movie were very attractive. Although some movie ratings didn't like it that much, it's a good one even if you were prepared and brought tissues. I brought tissues but only because my friend gave me the sniffles over the holiday.

Don't think I'm going to lash out as the Grinch again. I'm doing great and so relaxed. I seriously can't wait to start working tonight just to be busy again.

Peanuts, Grinch and 1 a.m.

So there's this one station that now plays Christmas music. At first, it was annoying because that's the last thing I want to think about. The stress, the shopping, the finishing up work to enjoy my holiday. But now, as I fly through my channels, I do stop for about two songs and two songs only.

They are the "Peanuts" theme that goes dun nuh dunt duh nuh dunt duh nuh, duh...dunt duh. You're probably either singing it in your head or saying what the heck is she talking about. Also, the other one is "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch, you really are a stinch..." I love that!! I even break out my strongest, lowest voice to TRY to do it justice. It never works, but I love it anyway and I try to memorize the lyrics every year. This could be the year that I remember them throughout the season, but who knows. P.S. They just remind me of my childhood Christmases and long school breaks when I got actually got bored (I wonder what that's like...)!

Lastly, I keep hearing about 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. openings at local shopping places. I never was one to shop that early but I guess people do. Then.............I heard one mall opening at 1 a.m. First of all, those poor employees must be paid some big bucks. Second, who is coherent enough then to shop til you drop (I guess it doesn't take too long to drop). Third, what's next? We're going to be running out the door after we eat a little turkey and cranberry sauce for a 50% doorbuster sale? C'mon, give me a break. I want some time for my dinner to settle before I got flying out the door looking like an overstuffed zombie. But if you do and love it, I guess all I can say is more power to you. Besides, most of my shopping's done!

Hurricane Back in Full Strength

So I love my job so much: the writing, the reporting, the people, the flexibility, the steady pay, the perks, everything!!! It feels so great to do what I love to do. I can't believe I forgot how fun it was. Check it out at McKinneyNews.net!

I am finishing up football and volleyball seasons with my McKinney schools, and I recently started covering the swimming teams. I also got the girls basketball and soccer beats along with softball. Busy, busy but I'm ready for it. I don't want to jinx it and call it a dream job, but it's awesome!

I also am thinking about coaching a club volleyball team for a few months again. It's still in the works, but I think it will be for a team in Denton, which is about 15 minutes away (much closer than driving more than 2 hours a week to Cleburne). That should be a fun gig too!

Finally over the job hurdle!

Yes, yes I'm back to the blogging world...Awwww! I have to say it feels pretty good. I guess I finally have some noteworthy experiences to report after a very crazy summer. First of all, I got a job in the journalism field. Yes, the word FINALLY is coming to your brain, but that's okay.

My quest to figure out what I want to do with my life, which has changed from coaching to teaching to sales to PR to whatever will pay my bills in the last nine months, is over! I took a sportswriter position with McKinneynews.net and am covering high school volleyball and football with more sports to come. So far so good!

I was a little nervous about getting back into journalism after a nine-month hiatus, but it's like riding a bike....a fast and adventurous bike! A new thing that I will get to do eventually is blog for the website. Yes, I will be a professional blogger. And no, I will not be a blog snob. I will try and post my stories and blogs on here as well for your viewing pleasure.

What job hunting has taught me...
1. Never give up...Patience is always a virtue but not always an easy one! Keep plugging away and sending out resumes even when you don't think people will be interested. I would not have my current job if I didn't keep at it for nine months!

2. Check a variety of job sites...If you are finding the same kind of job, then look elsewhere to help your search for the dream job. Because I checked a site I normally don't check regularly, I found the perfect one for me and it worked out.

3. If a company wants you, they will let you know...I really got tired of checking back and making excuses for why I didn't get a call back. It's like the book "He's really not that into you" (yes I have read it). If a company is not interested, they will usually be wishy washy or late on returning your call.

4. Know what you're good at and sell yourself...I have always thought cover letters were hard to write. After writing hundreds of them in my job search, they are no problem. I learned how to get to the point and sell myself in a few graphs.

5. Lastly, tailor your resume/portfolio to the job...Every job is different, so almost every resume you send could use some tweaking to better market your skills. Little changes could go a long way!

Man, I should send this to Careerbuilder.com for a little freelance check. They probably will take it, since they have gotten to know so well over there...

Interview or date...you decide!

Job hunting makes you vulnerable...I've decided. I was reading some tips online that said job interviews are like blind dates (click on the title and see for yourself). I think that's true. It's up and down. I want you, I don't want you. Should I follow up? Show interest? Be pesky or hang back? It's a pretty crazy ordeal.

You're also looking for the right fit with the company you're looking at. The company could be the right fit for you, but I might not be the right fit for them. Also, the right relationship will work out if it's supposed to and everything happens for a reason!

Look at all these relationship tie-ins...right before Valentine's Day...or should I say Single Awareness Day!! Maybe I'll find the right company tomorrow! Let's be honest, I probably would be more excited about getting a job tomorrow than having a date!

P.S. Don't worry, I already have plans for V-day!

Explain a time where you wanted to fall off a cliff...

So the last two days, I've been interviewing for jobs. Why didn't anyone in college tell me about the HR questions that never end? "Tell me a time where you wanted to fall of a cliff and no one came to save you but your meanest coworker and they turned out to be your new friend? What was your next move? Did you tell the whole office about it?"

First of all, how many questions do they expect you to answer at a time? 25 with three anecdotes and four examples. Honestly, do they want you to have diarrhea of the mouth? I think they do. There I was in my power black suit that seemed more like a straightjacket, smiling constantly until my cheeks went numb. I felt like I was back in a wedding line with my eyes glazing over because of the flash. Only this time wasn't a flash of light, it was a flash of terror.

I'm nervous and tense and desperately trying to figure out the job description for the people in front of me. Did this one want impeccable interpersonal skills or a working knowledge of HTML. or inside and outside and upside down sales experience. I just can't remember! I also had to hurry up to the right office on the right floor, speak to the right receptionist about the right interviewer and sit there and wait and get more nervous. AND REPEAT. AND REPEAT. AND REPEAT. I hope my sweaty palms will get me somewhere great...cross your fingers!!

Long time no blog...

I feel so bad about not blogging for awhile. My internship ended in early December, and I started the job search. I knew I wouldn't find a lot in journalism during this time of year, but I applied a few places before Christmas. My holiday was fun, pretty quiet, but enjoyable. After enjoying my Christmas holidays, I didn't hear any good news with newspapers.

So I started to develop PLAN B...I hate plan B's but I needed one. I considered the coaching/teaching option in December and decided to try it out in January. I started coaching a 12-under club volleyball team and subbing at Cleburne Independent School District before my apartment lease ended in Lewisville. The time was critical for a decision about what to do, where to live, blah, blah, blah...

After a lot of thought I decided to stay in Lewisville and move in with a friend named Katie in my ward. It's been going great! I've been doing some temporary jobs, which have been paying the bills and a little bit enjoyable. I just had four job interviews in two days...I'm beat!!

Friday Night Lights

Oh the life of an intern, not the romantic view you're thinking about, believe me. The Dallas Morning News is keeping me busy, running from football field to volleyball court and back again every day, nonstop. I'm turning out content daily with multiple projects in the works. I started with football teams at DISD schools. One word for ya-DANGER! At least I know where in South Oak Cliff not to go at night, jk. I recently was put on the entire volleyball beat with roundups, notebooks, rankings, player of the weeks, stats, whiny coaches, flaky coaches and ditzy coaches (quite the trifecta) and everything else that comes with the package.

Football is my newest language. I wish I took a few more classes in high school and college because sometimes I feel lost. That's where Dad and Drew and I have fun though, analyzing why the Flexbone offense is better than the Spread offense and why defensive ends can't play safety. I'm in charge of the Garland schools for football along with Dallas Skyline and Bryan Adams.

It's pretty fun, but I'm still unsure what the recent buyouts and consolidations at the Morning News will mean for me. I hope to stay but have no idea what their needs are. I'm just trying to work my tailend off and have no regrets. I still make time to run at a nice family-friendly park in Coppell and treat myself with a new CD or DVD every once in awhile. I'm surviving and loving the cooler weather here! I also got a spiffy new hair cut, so watch out!!!

Coming back to Texas

Driving back to the Lone Star State took a while but it was worth it! I was excited to get things set up here. Julie and I got an apartment in Lewisville, Texas, with a sweet girl named Kristy Dodge, who goes to Church with us. We had to make many trips up to the third floor when we moved in, but we had some help and did it pretty quickly. Slowly, we got more and more furniture and set up our utilities. Best of all, we made tons of friends in our Church branch and have had a lot of fun hanging out with them.

Julie and I also got dates to the Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert. It was an awesome show and a fun night. We've also gone swimming a lot to survive the Texas heat. Things are going well now. We both got callings and were asked to speak in Church. I am the new activities chairperson and Julie is a Sunday School teacher. We're excited about becoming more involved in the branch.

I've also had time to spend time in Cleburne working basketball andolleyball camps, which was fun. The only drawback was that after two weeks of running drills and coaching, I sat up in bed twice calling out "Go over there" and "We need to switch them out." I figured that coaching was not the best career path for me as it disrupts roommates and my sleeping habits. I also have spent time with my parents and Drew, Lindsey and little Dallin, who just celebrated his first birthday. He's a very funny guy!

Airports

Coming home from NYC was an adventure to say the least. I was in eight airports in like 11 days. Crazy you may think but just all in a day's work as a hurricane! Try and keep up with the airport count if you dare.

(June 21) Hurried to come back home, I went to the wrong airport on the morning of my flight in NYC. (2 airports) I still can't recall which one was correct and finally got in to Minnesota to see my brother Matt, Kristin and little Andrew, Caleb and Isaac (3 airports). We had tons of fun at the Mall of America, the pool, zoo, parks and on the slip and slide of course. The three little rascals were hilarious that I should have carried around a tape recorder to get all of their funny quotes down. I was off journalist duty but they had some great sound bytes!

Then I flew to Texas from Minnesota with Kristin and the three wild boys (5 airports). We went swimming and shopping, two of my favorite summer activities. I was the Cleburne Primary Swim Day lifeguard too. We dropped Kristin and the boys off a few days later and also took Drew and Lindsey and Dallin to the airport (7 airport visits) and had an interview with the Dallas Morning News sports staff, which went very well since they offered me an internship two days later. Finally, some plans in my life. I'm staying in the Lone Star State after all!

One glitch in the ointment though. All of my stuff and car was in Utah, so on July 2 I was on a plane back to Salt Lake and Provo to round up all my stuff (9 airports). I said goodbye to friends and family in Utah and started on a two-day trek with Julie and her grandpa, another hurricane of an adventure! To be continued...

Last day at a tabloid

Today is my last day at a tabloid. My scandalous days are over according to BYU, jk. I just finished a two-month internship at the New York Daily News. It's been a blast, and I've learned a lot about reporting, news values and the great city of New York City. I have a few blooming options for my future in sports journalism, but nothing certain. I'll keep ya posted on all of that!

Here is by far the coolest thing you've ever seen, a blog about a Hurricane that meteorologists have never called Ang. I hear that chance is one in a billion, but ya know, here I am and all my random thoughts and wonderful life adventures. Don't hate me because I'm out of control!