Guest Blog: What It's Like To.....Live in China

While I'm on vacation in Costa Rica, some of my friends have volunteered to step in with guest blogs on the theme "What It's Like to...." Hope you enjoy! Buenos dias! :)

Since I'll got back from Costa Rica yesterday evening, today will be the last day of this series!  I'm super excited about this blog by College Roomie.  As a total fan of international travel, I am so jealous of her experience living in abroad for a year.  Although I hated China for taking my best friend away from me for a year, I'm so glad she went because her experiences totally made her life better!  So...here ya have her...College Roomie!

Ni hao, Tiffany’s followers!  While she is off zip-lining, beach lounging, or otherwise having a blast in Costa Rica, I’m delighted to be here with you today on the blog, telling you all about “What it’s like to…live in China.” 

I graduated college in December of 2006, and a few months prior to that I was in a panic about finding a job.  One of the professors in my college (Hotel and Restaurant Management) spoke of an alum who was currently in Shenzhen, China, serving as the General Manager of a brand-spankin’-new InterContinental Hotel that hiring a few management trainees.  Why not, I thought?  I sent in the application, was hired, accepted the offer, and started planning to move to China, all in the matter of about two weeks. 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are precisely fifteen thousand words that tell about my year in China far better than I could describe.

This picture says, “Four Americans in the Hong Kong Airport after a 15 (or was it 18?) hour flight – jet lagged, overwhelmed by the Cantonese and/or Mandarin characters on all the signage, and with absolutely no idea what’s in store for them.”

Here are a few pictures from the ol' workplace:

The pool area...gorgeous, eh?

The Club Floor.

 As a front office management trainee, I spent a good quarter of my time at the hotel working on the club floor. Here are some of the lovely ladies I worked with there:

But enough about work.  Here are some out-and-about in Shenzhen pictures:

One of my greatest regrets is failing to travel around China more than I did.  I filled up my passport with trips to Hong Kong and Macau, which are very accessible to Shenzhen by train (HK) and ferry (Macau).  I also made it to Beijing and Shanghai.  But there is so much more to see around China and it was an epic fail to not prioritize that during my time there. 

Hong Kong

Macau - The Vegas of Asia

The Great Wall (Ba Da Ling outside Beijing).

Living in China was such an amazing experience.  The friendships that will last forever...the food that I learned to love – uh, most of it at least…and the country, culture, and people that I learned to appreciate.  It would be easy for me to go on and on and on about what I learned and I could give a play-by-play for every picture and memory I have.  But you don’t have all day. 

I’m an American – the land of the free and the home of the brave, where we pride ourselves on our independence.  And there is no place like home.  But I gained my own personal sense of independence when I was living in Shenzhen and my time there will always be a tremendous blessing and a treasured experience. 

Xie xie - zai jian.

Guest Blog: What It's Like To...Start Your Own Business

While I'm on vacation in Costa Rica, some of my friends have volunteered to step in with guest blogs on the theme "What It's Like to...." Hope you enjoy! Buenos dias! :)

So today while I'm flying home from paradise, you're going to hear from Miss Canada about starting her own business.  I do not have an entrepeueral bone in my body, so I really admire her for following her dream and doing this thing!  Her blog is absolutely wonderful, just as I expected.  Here we go....Miss Canada!

What It's Like To Start Your Own Business.  Exciting. Scary. Empowering. Overwhelming. Rewarding.

I was truly honored when Tiffany asked if I would write a guest blog about what it has been like to start and run Bella Spur Innovative Media Inc. Now that I’m actually writing the post though, there are perhaps as many parallels in telling you all about it as actually doing it. How do I condense five years into a few paragraphs? So I think we’ll use the adjectives that started out this post to provide the foundation, and you are welcome to email any questions I’ve left unanswered.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

EXCITING. It’s always exciting to start a new chapter in your life. I had begun freelancing as a graphic designer on the side while working in Ontario. As it would, the stars aligned in the summer of 2006 for me to move back to Alberta and freelance full-time. Having grown up in the purebred cattle industry, many friends and acquaintances were willing to support my new venture, and I’ll be forever indebted to them. I can still feel the exhilaration that would come after each call that ended in, “Yes, we’d love to have you design our [catalog/website/whatever].”

SCARY. As exciting as any change is, there is always a little bit of fear, too. I remember flipping through all the breed publications that first month and seeing ads for seven, yes SEVEN, other designers. My only thought was, “there is not enough business in the Canadian cattle industry for all of us.” And being the new gal on the block, with a short two years of experience, I was afraid it could well be me who wouldn’t make it. Especially once I started really working… because ignorance is bliss, and when you realize how much you don’t know it’s downright frightening.

EMPOWERING. Less than a year after starting out on my own, I had a partner on board and we were incorporated. One of my dearest friends finished her digital media program about the same time as I started freelancing. Being independent, farm girl types, it never occurred to us to work together. We were always supporting each other through the first few months, but it wasn’t until clients who knew us both started asking us to work together that it dawned on us. We’re quick like that, haha! And so began Bella Spur Innovative Media. Word spread quickly, and it wasn’t long until we were getting calls about new projects every day. I tell ya, nothing beats other people believing in you to make you believe in yourself.

Jamie-Rae, Michael, Laura (the original team)

OVERWHELMING. We were ill prepared for success. Truthfully, we never had a business plan, and we were flying by the seats of our pants. As our workload increased, we assigned tasks as each of our schedules permitted rather than according to personal strengths. It took us both almost reaching our breaking points to realize we needed a better plan. So we switched some responsibilities around, hired another designer, and agreed we should have done both a long time before.

REWARDING. Those few changes made a tremendous difference to our personal states of happiness and our workflow efficiency, which was certainly reflected in the business. It began growing exponentially again when we were all doing the things we loved doing. The team doubled in size, we redefined roles as needed, and worked with an eye to the future.

Each of us has different goals in life, and all of us are as much committed to the others’ success as our own. We keep an open dialogue about everyone’s lives as much as the business, because we believe work should be contributing to our contentment in life emotionally as well as financially.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That’s our story – the ups and the downs. What I have learned is that success comes from following your passion, and being willing to work hard. We love agriculture, and receive enormous joy from promoting the people who feed the world. However, the first couple of years, I did nothing but work. There were lots of 16-hour days. Thanks to that effort though, I now have the freedom to live life much more on my terms.
I’ve also learned that the rules don’t always apply. They say you should never go into business with your best friend, but that was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Not to say there aren’t trials when you do things your own way, but the rewards can far outweigh the challenges.

Finally, whatever you choose to do for work should aid you in your life’s quest. By that, I don’t mean your career has to be exactly what your life’s goals are; what I mean is that your career should help you along your path. If you want to share the beauty of the world through photography, you don’t have to make your living as a photographer – perhaps it’s that your job inspired you creatively and allows the opportunity for travel.

I believe I have a responsibility to honor the mission set out for me in this life, and Bella Spur allows me to do that on many different levels. I am blessed.

If you have any questions about starting a business, or want to swap emails about experiences, you can reach me at laura@bellaspur.com.

Guest Blog: What It's Like To....Work Out With A Trainer

While I'm on vacation in Costa Rica, some of my friends have volunteered to step in with guest blogs on the theme "What It's Like to...." Hope you enjoy! Buenos dias! :)

Today we have one of my best friends, Loud Oklahoma Girl, to tell us what it's like to work out with a trainer!  She started this last fall and has gotten even more serious with her upcomming WEDDING DAY just around the corner in July!  She does not brag about it enough here, but she has made a huge transformation in her life, lost like 20 pounds, and is running 5K's left and right.  Yep, she's a rock star.  Unlike me who decided after trying on swim suits for Costa Rica that we would make a neck-up only rule for pool and beach photos!  With that, here's Loud Oklahoma Girl!

Well as all you lovely Tiff blog readers know she is spending the week in Costa Rica. I’m very jealous and super excited to read the blog recaps from her and Lyndse over at I was born a redneck girl  when they get back. So, for today you get to read about me--Loud Oklahoma Girl--the friend of Tiff who is going to tell you what it is like to work out with a trainer.

Honestly for me working out with a trainer has been more about the encouragement they give me and the friendships I have made. I have lost a good 1-2 pant sizes, my blood pressure is back in the normal category, and I feel much healthier. However, all of this aside, the relationships I have built with my trainers has been the most enriching part for me. I don’t really have a work out partner and using a trainer has been a must needed encouragement to keep going. No matter what my size, my trainers have accepted me and know that I will accomplish all of my goals. Tiff got to meet my favorite trainer and work out with us one day. I will let her tell you how great he was, but after our session she was like I just love him! {Not only was he awesome, he was also adorable!  I loved Barrett....my arms did NOT love him the next day when I was too sore to wave the wheat at the football game!}

As far as workouts go, I do 45 minute sessions with them twice a week. Then after my session I do a 30-35 minute interval run on the treadmill. I learned through my trainer that you burn more calories if you do your cardio after your strength training. They write up whole body sculpting workouts that differ each time. I have learned some great ways to workout with and without weights. I have done just about every single form of plank known to man. I know I HATE burpies, but that does not stop my trainer from making me do them weekly. I am terrible at pull ups, but my trainer is certain that he will have me doing them by the end of year. Last, they really encourage me in running, which is my favorite work out. They are always excited to hear about all my runs and they do a great job of helping me get better and accomplishing my goal of running a half marathon.

LOKG on the far left after running the 5K at the SF Marathon

I have been working out at Fitness Together, which is a personal training gym only. I go twice a week, even though they recommend 4 times a week, I am just not that rich. I will tell you I budgeted it out and made some sacrifices to afford a personal trainer, but it is SO worth it to me. You must decide what is most important to you. Tiff can tell you I really struggled with spending my money on this, but it has been one of the best investments I have ever made. It is imperative that you find the trainer that is best for you. Every trainer is different and I need the type that is constantly encouraging me and not yelling at me.

It was nice sharing my training stories with you today. Happy blogging to all you great bloggers out there!

Guest Blog: What It's Like To.....Have Santa and Mrs. Claus for Grandparents

While I'm on vacation in Costa Rica, some of my friends have volunteered to step in with guest blogs on the theme "What It's Like to...." Hope you enjoy! Buenos dias! :)

I'm super excited about today's guest blog from my friend Mama Rock!  She married one of my best guy friends from high school, Daddy Rock, and they have three of the cutest kids that you've ever seen in your life.  How she keeps up with him and the kids and her job PLUS has time to write a guest blog is beyond me.  I've already got her tapped to do a Meet the Cast post and intend on asking!  So with that...Mama Rock!

"We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.”

Mama Rock and her grandparents...Santa and Mrs. Claus

My Papa has had his beard since 1965. 2 of his 7 children have never seen him without it. It used to be jet black but when it turned white he got this hair brained idea to stand on the over pass outside of town and wave at people dressed as Santa.  The first time he tried it a sheriff’s deputy showed up because someone had called in a jumper.

One of the first parades he was ever in, he talked my brother into being an elf but I thought I was too cool for that (because apparently I thought the glasses and braces were helping my case).

Eventually he suckered by Granny into dressing up like Mrs. Claus.

He has always believed that once you quit working, you die, so in 2009 him and my brother decided to put a drive thru Christmas park out on his and Granny’s 4 acres. Anyone who goes out there and doesn’t think it is an insane amount of work is CRAZY. They usually start in September and work all the way up to opening night on Thanksgiving. It is all donation based. People have donated over 100,000 Christmas lights! It is like the Griswold’s on steroids.

My oldest daughter decided to be an elf 2 years ago and amazingly enough she still truly believes in Santa. I’m sure my youngest children will be recruited before long.

Mama Rock's girls playing elves.

The rest of the year is spent going to Vegas, playing softball (Rylin and Papa both play), and loving on their grandbabies.  Growing up with such eccentricity might have warped us but I think it was all for the good.  Scratch that.  I KNOW it was all for the good.  It has taught us patience, how to work hard, joy, love for each other but mostly that doing things for others to make them so incredibly happy can be so rewarding.  About Halloween we always seem to think “What are we doing this for?”  but on Thanksgiving night when that first kid jumps out of the car in his pj’s and screams “Santa!” we remember why we do it and know that it’s all worth it.

Santa playing catcher.

Guest Blog: What It's Like To...Spend a HunDo a Plate

While I'm on vacation in Costa Rica, some of my friends have volunteered to step in with guest blogs on the theme "What It's Like to...." Hope you enjoy! Buenos dias! :)

Today's blog is going to be sort of short and sweet....it's written by Little Brother, so would you really expect anything else?  A little reminder--for their wedding present, I got them a gift card to the fanciest steakhouse in Vegas, Prime in the Bellagio.  I'm much more into spending money on experiences rather than material things (jewelry coming in a little blue box with a white bow is an exception!) 

Anyway, after getting hilarious text messages from him saying he didn't know what to do and he couldn't believe this place, I knew a blog was in order.  And so....here is Little Brother's thoughts on what it's like to spend a HunDo (hundred dollars) a plate on dinner!

 As you know we got married in Vegas a couple weeks ago.

Tiff got us a gift card to the Prime Steakhouse at the Bellagio. Most of the time the fanciest place we eat is a Chili’s or Olive Garden so this was really out of our experience level. We got all dressed up and headed that way.

We walked in to the place and there was a sign that said “Jackets Preferred” well I didn’t wear a coat just a cowboy hat starched shirt and I got real wild and broke out the slacks. Lindsay rocked a long dress so she was kinda in with the fashion unlike me I was the only one in boots and a hat. They sat us in a dark back corner (due to our lack of reservation) and left us a wine menu and I flipped through it and they had a bottle of wine for $58k. The waiter came over and I couldn’t hear him ‘cause he talked so low. The look we got when we ordered our drinks was priceless; I guess they don’t hear you order a jack and 7 or a crown and water too often.

Little Brother's snooty rich person face.

We got an appetizer of bacon wrapped shrimp. Then the main course came a Lindsay got salmon and a side of sautéed mushrooms.  {Note from Tiff:  I send her to the best freaking STEAK house in Vegas and she orders fish?  And not even fancy fish...the kind that you can buy in a can and make into patties?} I had a dry aged bone in rib eye with herb mashed potatoes and a side of steamed asparagus. The steak was by far the best steak I had ever eaten in my life.

It was worth the 70 bucks but just barely. 

Guest Blog: What It's Like To....Be A Fisherwoman

While I'm on vacation in Costa Rica, some of my friends have volunteered to step in with guest blogs on the theme "What It's Like to...."  Hope you enjoy!  Buenos dias! :)

We'll kick things off with my dear friend, Blonde Oklahoma Girl, who is actually with me in Costa Rica enjoying paradise!  If you know her in real life, you realize that she's a little high maintenence (I rate her at an 8/10 on the scale), loves pink and glitter and make up.  But what you  might not know is that her favorite summertime hobby is fishing.  So, what better for her to write about?  With that intro, here you have Blonde Oklahoma Girl!

Helllloooo

Blonde Oklahoma girl here...Tiff here is one of my bff's and I blog over here at I was born a red dirt girl.

Tiff wanted me to do a blog about fishing. This might seem to shock people, because normally I would do a blog about how to master the ulitimate poof pony tail. I never go anywhere with a flat pony tail, but I've broaden my horizons...one of those horizons just so happens to be fishing.

Poofed hair example :)

It's actually not a new found hobby. I started fishing at a young age. Growing up, I would spend summers with my Nana and Papa. They lived on a ranch in southern Oklahoma with tons and tons of land for us to run wild and lots of ponds. In fact, not only is this where my love for fishing first started, but it's also where I learned to shoot a gun...and might I add...learned to shoot very well. What I am about to say is going to make me sound very red neck...but hey, it is Oklahoma. My Papa would toss various can's into the water and see if I could shoot them. Free entertainment I guess.

Might I add...I blew those suckers out of the water.

Back to fishing.

Here are just few things, I think everyone should know before the deem themselves pro fisherwomen...like myself.

Own your own pole/tacklebox. So what if your pole is pink and gray. Poles with no color are boring...plus, in a man's world...it's nice to have a little femininity. Also, ingnore the grumpy old men that fish on the dock...they are just jealous because their fishing pole isn't as fancy.

Bait your own hook. You can't be a pansy when it comes to fishing. People won't take you serious if you can't bait your own hook.

Take your fish off the hook. You aren't always going to be around someone to take the fish off for you. Don't worry about the fish biting you, that like hardly ever happens...what you do have to worry about is the fins...sometimes they will get you, and catfish. They have whiskers...I don't mess with them. If I catch a catfish I'm pretty much screwed because I haven't figured that out yet.

Oh, if you catch a snake...and sometimes this happens...just slowly put your pole down and run. Forget about the pole, Atwoods carries more.

Don't wear flip flops. One would think it would be ok to wear flip flops while fishing...but sometimes one walks down to the edge of the water off of a rock just to wash her hands...only to slip and fall into the lake. If you try to get back up said slippery rocks with said flip flops on, you will fall not only once again but twice until you figure out that the flip flops are causing you the problems.

Bruises, scrapes and the realization that while you fell into the water you also fell onto some goose poop....you learn to not wear flip flops while fishing.

Learn the lingo. Apparently there is some kind of lingo that real fisherman know...you can't refer to bait as that pink glittery worm with the feathers or that lime green slimy worm...these are lures and jigs. Sometimes called crank bait, Twitch bait,Trolling baits...I prefer pink glittery worm with feathers...but whatever.

Watching fishing shows do not help. These needs no explanation really....they obviously cheat on these shows.

What you really need to know about fishing and I learned this from all my years of watching my Papa and my dad fish...is that fishing is just a little better with a nice cold beer in your hand.

And that's how you become a fishing woman.