New Blog!

I've finally bought my own blog domain!

I'll eventually migrate these posts over here: www.thekithouseblog.com.

See you there,
~Patti

101 in 1001 Progress Report

It's the Pacific, in case you can't tell..

With 1.5 months left in the year, I did some follow up on my #101in1001 list. I had an ample amount of free time and just got a big break: I bought Taylor Swift concert tickets. Don't judge, you love her, too... 

With that unexpected purchase, I went over the things I've accomplished this year and things already in plan for next year(s):

Done:

1. Create a 101 in 1001 list  (1/6/14)
2. Cut my hair short (5/22/2014)
3. Figure out how to apply eyeliner perfectly, the first time
4. See Britney Spears in Las Vegas (8/27/14)
5. Dip in the Pacific Ocean (11/4/14)
6. Establish a Sunday ritual of reading in bed in the morning
7. Re-read The Catcher in the Rye (11/9/14)
8. Write a speech for an event: SMS Charms Chapel 5/21/14
9. Throw an amazing Bachelorette party (for Mary, 4/11-13/2014)

For 2015:

1. Go to an Academy Awards Best Picture movie showcase weekend (Feb 2015)
2. Travel to England, France and Italy (planned May 2015)
3. Buy a fascinator in London (May 2015)
4. Go to a Discotheque (May 2015)
5. Rent a flat abroad (May 2015)
6. Eat Lobster in Maine (Aug 2015)
7. Go crazy shopping in NYC (Sept 2015)
8. See a Broadway play (Sept 2015)
9. Visit the MoMa in NYC (Sept 2015)
10. See Taylor Swift in concert (Oct 2015)

For 2016:

1. Run a Disney race (Feb 2016)
2. Run a half marathon (Feb 2016)
3. Have a Harajuku makeover in Tokyo (April 2016)
4. Travel to Japan for his birthday (April 2016)
5. Travel to Spain for my birthday (August 2016)

In the meantime, I've put a dent in my reading list (16 of 50 books), visited 3 new states this year, and have made some progress on styling our home. 

I even mapped out the next year and a half by month to see where I can fit in new things. And to really prove that I had a lot of time on my hands while traveling, I started making my second #101in1001 list for when this one expires in Sept. 2016.

The year has gone by pretty fast and my 101 things have really motivated me to really go for it. A little cheesy, but everyone likes cheese after all…

On Being 28 and Turning 30

One of my go-to bloggers, Jess Graves of thelovelist.net, wrote a post about Being 28 and Turning 30. Although it is no longer posted, it stuck out for me as I turned 29 last week. 

Yeah, yeah, 29 is a pretty unremarkable year. It's not 28, which is supposed to be one of the best (most together) years of your twenties without having to think about babies. And, it's nowhere near the milestone that turning 30 will be. 

That being said, I took my unremarkable birthday and let fate/luck/coincidence decide. Britney Spears just happened to have a show on my birthday. It just happened to be in Vegas. There just happened to be a Rent the Runway shop, a pool party with Zedd as resident DJ, fuzzy crowns, slot machines, and my best friend who happened to say yes to this well-played caper. 

I crossed an item off my Bucket List and in true form, it took me the entire holiday weekend to recover. Do I feel the need to do it again when I turn 30? No. Could I have done it at any other time? Questionable. I was in the exact right place at exactly the right time. 

This occasion took place while many of my peers experienced their own life milestones: weddings, engagements, becoming homeowners, and starting families. When I started this blog, I admitted that I have trouble seeing beyond the not-so-distant future. I have no set life plan or path; and consequently, I have nothing to answer to or to hold me back. 

In the past year, I've interviewed for a position that was so right but wrong at the same time. I've become a homeowner and have ping-ponged between relief and remorse. I've become more of a leader, a do-er, a bridesmaid. A "Me" became more of a "We", and I've learned to be a better teammate and partner. I can say no to both things and people. I've never been more nervous or more excited or more capable. 

As for the Turning 30 bit, my BFF Mary had an interesting concept. Instead of viewing it as "I'm 30 and my life is over", think of it as "Now I can do anything I want because I'm 30". My 101 things in 1001 days list is always a good motivator. 

"It sounds like you got a lot on your plate."

"I don't know, man, listening really isn't my strong suit."
"If you ever get lost and you're not sure what to say, you can just say the following phrase: It sounds like you got a lot on your plate. That applies to literally every conversation."

I don't want to be predictable, but yeah, I got a lot on my plate. If I were a school lunch, all of the compartments on my tray would be full. Not to impugn anyone else's plates, but my plate and my time are accounted for.

While I've been stretching my time and budget to fill many different roles, I'm hoping to pull back for the rest of the year. I have a house and a wonderful partner that I don't get to spend much time with, and I know my credit card could use a break.

From perusing different leadership blogs and articles, I hate to admit that I might not be as confident or strong-willed all of the time. But, I also think that pulling back to save yourself isn't exactly weak-minded. I can't be the person I'm supposed to be if I'm being pulled from both ends. I'd rather recognize the problem and fix it before there's the possibility of coming up short. 

Think of it as taking a mental health season.

The last two months have really opened my eye to my type of leadership as well. I've gotten very emotional, as well as emotionally invested in the tasks I've undertaken. I've never felt more certain that I need a drastic change to put things in perspective; to shake up the box so that I can put everything back in order. That's a lot of metaphors.

It's actually just the right time for it. After my birthday, I have no work travel for the next 5 weeks, and it's back-to-school season. It's my favorite time. Don't judge. 

Worth a Thousand Words

Last month, I was trapped under letters. I had a speech, a newsletter article, a wedding toast. A peer once referred to this type of writing as "fluff", but I wholeheartedly believe that the kinds of things I was writing have a genuine effect. 

In my profession, I make relationships. An audience, whether their customers or people I'm asking to give money, knows whether or not you believe in your cause. This is probably why I'm not a huge fan of sales. Unless you stand behind what you put out there, people see through you. 

Among the articles I was writing, this one got the most comments and I'd like to share it. This is my Letter from the President in the upcoming Alumnae newsletter.

Dear Fellow Alumnae, 

Whenever I tell people about St. Margaret’s, I always use the Dead Poets Society as a reference. Young, impressionable students facing the trials of high school together; a memorable teacher to guide them; tragedy, comedy, wisdom and a coming of age. 

But this winter, like the rest of the country thanks to Netflix, I was enthralled with House of Cards. In one particular episode, Kevin Spacey’s character is honored at his military school alma mater, and the occasion brings his core group of classmates together. During a night of reminiscing, he asks, “Do you think this place made us? I walked on campus today. I wondered, did it mean anything? Was it just a place we spent four years of our lives, or was there more?”

Every now and then I get nostalgic about SMS, but watching this episode was the first time I really ever reflected on my time as an alumna. I often call St. Margaret’s my ‘game changer’ – a place that gave me a better path so that I could make a better future. No, this wasn’t just a school from where I graduated. 

This place means something to all of us, and St. Margaret’s comes alive in all of our memories and in our accomplishments. I find those memories are even more pronounced during Alumnae Weekend. I never seem to have as many stories as when I’m with my classmates by the river, back where it all began, even though our graduation day has long since passed. 

Spring at SMS is always a time of change and reflection. I hope you, too, will take a moment to reflect on the impact St. Margaret’s has had on all of us and how much more of an impact we can have on St. Margaret’s. Share the stories of your past, give to the present by supporting the Annual Fund, and help take part in St. Margaret’s future. Ensure that the later generations of SMS girls will have stories of their own. 

Belong. Believe. Become.

~Patti Webb '03