Junior Achievement and how its helping me figure out my dreams

Today I went for Junior Achievement - Business Plan Competition volunteering program. This was my second class, and as part of my volunteering, I have to teach around thirty 12th graders on how to become entrepreneurs.
Its amazing to see how creative and engaged high schoolers can become when you take away all the textbooks from them and encourage them to think outside the box. Why don't we have more classes like that? Why does conformity have to be taught in today's time and ages?Well, I guess, that discussion is for another time since I don't want to digress from talking about how fabulous my day was.

Ok, so during this class, the ideas just kept flowing and each student was sitting with a sparkle in their eye as if they had just discovered the next big thing. They talked about products and services they believed in, 'things' that were not available at the moment and 'stuff' that could potentially change the world. I wish I could share their ideas here, but that would spoil the competition - so maybe after the competition is over, I will do so.
After the powwow with the students about what's the definition of a CEO, CFO, VP Marketing and COO and who in the team should be each of those roles, I ended the class with a profound quote by Ayn Rand, "The question is not who is going to let me; its who is going to stop me." And this was done in the spirit of encouraging the students to keep thinking big and not be afraid of making mistakes while they do so.

On the ride back home, I zoned out, reflecting on this program and  how perfectly aligned I was to the purpose behind this program. This program resonates so well with where I am in my life right now. And, what these kids are being taught about - to be business owners, to proudly call something their own and to be part of something that can change lives - is exactly what I am learning to do as well. So you see, volunteering is not just about helping someone or some cause, but you end up gaining sooo much in return and then get inadvertently pushed towards your dreams! I say, hooray for volunteering!!

A new chapter begins

As I packed the last of my belongings in my office, a surge of  emotions took over me and I couldn't help but sit back and let my first days in the company do a zany flashback...first the blazing light, the scenes of me walking through the turnstiles as a newbie, having my own cubicle, having vacation days and benefits, and then the blazing light again -- just like they do it in the movies. 
I am a human afterall, and as much as I thought that I will be fine walking out, it wasn't that easy. So, I hung onto the moment a bit longer, and squeezed out as many happy memories as I could. I almost wanted crawl back into the safe haven of corporate life, but I buzzed myself right back into reality.


A new chapter starts today, and I am ready. It's going to be fun. :)


Hugs!

Crushes of a different kind

Something about Anthropologie makes my heart flutter - their cutesy dresses, their catalogs, their stores, their name...ooh, pretty much I have a crush on their entire brand! I remember my first tryst with Anthropologie like it was only yesterday - and it was truly an accident.

When I was in the second semester of college, I was walking down fifth avenue with my girlfriends, chatting away about the cute guys we had just passed by, and ofcourse giggling like little girls, when our conversations literally came to a halt as we watched wonderful composition of flowers and frocks in the display window. We all stood wide-eyed, mouth half opened with our hearts beating like wings of a humming bird-- the memory of cute boys already a history. This store was heaven and to our joy, we could take away few pieces of this heaven with us. So, we walked in together and then immediately dispersed in different directions, shrieking with joy on cute finds in every corner.
It was when I wanted to bookmark the name and location of the store in my mind (so I could stalk it like a crazed fan) did I fall in love with name as well (who comes up with Anthropologie!!). And, hello, double whammy with a fantastic name and such dreamy goods!!

In that spirit, I would like to share with you some of my favorite current pieces from the house of Anthropologie...enjoy!


FOR YOU:

FOR YOUR BODY:

FOR YOUR HOUSE:

Oh, I had such a fab time putting these images together....


Hugs!


{Images courtesy Anthropologie.com}

Now that I have said goodbye, how about a thank you!

Last week, my colleagues and managers hosted a lunch and drinks (after work) get together in my honor. It was moving because it made me realize that my decision is for real...I am actually walking away from my safe, known, career and entering unknown quarters. The unknown part does make me excited, and although I am soo compelled to add the effervescent 'but' after the excited part, you know what, I won't. I am happy about my decision, and I am sure it shows. Last week I walked around the floor looking all smiley and cheerful because something in my heart told me (and my mind) that I was heading in the right direction. With that said, I would like to take a few moments and thank all the wonderful people whom I had the opportunity to work with.

I learnt a lot from you and I am honestly indebted for the patience you showed while I asked the same question 10 times. Thank you for all those words of encouragement and support, often glazed with kick-ass humor that only made the learning process faster and fun! I walk away a richer person because of heavy duty knowledge sharing, tips on project management and opportunities for decision making. These skills will prove to be valuable as I tread on towards my future. Wishing you all the best in life always! 

Oh, I am choking up now, and these tears are hard to fight back. I am very grateful to have come this far in life and my heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. 

Hugs!

Topeka - Google - Topeka

Ok, how cool is that Google changed its name to Topeka....all in the spirit of April 1 and all because a small town in Kansas changed its name from Topeka to Google for one month!!

Love the crazy folks at Google!!  :o)