Leadership Development
Posted on August 3, 2014 by Ching under Leadership.
I have some really exciting news to share with everyone. I get to cross another item off my bucket list. I received my acceptance letter for Leadership Wichita 2014 a few days ago. I didn’t want to say anything before because I didn’t want to be embarrassed in case I wasn’t chosen. LOL. This is something that I’ve always wanted to do, though.
Getting the “big” envelope was pretty exciting. It felt like I was applying for college. Actually, I take that back. It wasn’t like I applied at Harvard. Pretty much anyone can attend Wichita State.
It was a lot like applying for grad school though, where I actually had to take an exam, submit an essay, and provide two letters of recommendation. But then I scored high enough on my GMAT that I wasn’t really concerned.
With Leadership Wichita I didn’t even know where to begin. The program isn’t something that I could simply apply for. I had to be nominated. And, I wasn’t even sure how that would be possible because the nomination form is very specific about who to nominate. You couldn’t nominate just anyone.
Leadership Wichita is something that I’d always wanted to do but I couldn’t even tell anyone because I was afraid they’d just laugh at me. So when Ginger and Don both approached me this year about representing our company in this year’s class, I was super excited. It felt like Christmas!
It’s a huge commitment so they wanted me to think seriously about it. I didn’t have to think about it, though. This is something that I’ve always wanted to do so I knew that I would clear my schedule for the rest of the year if I had to. I had secured my nomination. There was no way I was passing on this opportunity.
I needed three strong letters of recommendation so I told Jim Ludwig right away. As my mentor, I figured that he would be supportive and write a letter of recommendation on my behalf. I had one letter of recommendation down and needed two more. I couldn’t ask a friend or relative because I wanted to submit a strong application. I didn’t want to be accepted simply because I’m representing my work. I wanted to be accepted on my own merit. I wanted to be a strong candidate worthy of Don Sherman’s nomination.
Dr. Gerald Graham was one of my professors in grad school and a well respected leader in the community. I knew that a letter of recommendation from him would carry a lot of weight. However, I wasn’t sure if he’d remember me. His class, Organizational Behavior (MGMT 862) was one of the first classes I’d taken in grad school so it had been almost ten years. Lucky for me, I’d received additional training from Dr. Graham through work over the years so we would see each other occasionally. Despite that, I still worried that he would say no and I didn’t have a contingency plan in place. What a relief when he said yes! I was so thrilled when his letter of recommendation arrived in the mail.
I knew that with Don, Jim, and Dr. Graham in my corner I had a pretty good shot at being accepted but I didn’t want to leave anything to chance. I had my work experience and educational background covered, so I needed a letter of recommendation that shows my commitment to the community. I wanted to be a solid, well rounded candidate so I asked Natalie if the Treehouse could write a letter on my behalf since I helped with Labor Run 2013. I figured that this would show my community involvement.
I felt like I submitted a strong application. Don tells me that my package is great and he knows his stuff so that made me feel pretty darn good. I’m very grateful to everyone who helped me get in because I don’t think I could have done it on my own (though I probably would have kept trying).
This year’s program/schedule looks really interesting. I’m looking forward to getting started and representing my company well. I promise to make the most of this opportunity and make you all proud!
Comment on This
Blue Jean Bingo
Posted on August 2, 2014 by Ching under Events.
Brian and I attended Blue Jean Bingo at Abode last night. It’s a benefit for Goodwill Industries of Kansas. It’s actually one of the more fun fundraising events I’ve attended. I’ll have to remember it again next year. Here are some pictures.
If Brian doesn’t look like he is having fun, it’s because he never smiles in photos. Oh, and he was seriously concentrating on the game. He did not want to miss any of the bingo numbers. He held on to that bingo dauber like a weapon!
I have never gotten as much use out of my official name tag as I did yesterday. Seriously. That thing was on me for almost 18 hours.
They asked us to wear our metal name tags at our leadership conference so it was already on me when I left the house yesterday morning. I didn’t want to lose it so I just kept it on when I went back to work, so then I didn’t have to wear my regular badge. I didn’t plan on wearing it to the event, but I ended up staying at work until after 6:30 pm because of a problem.
I actually went back to work after our meeting because I wanted to complete testing the Spanish IVR. Darcy assigned it to me on Wednesday and I told her I wouldn’t be able to really test anything until Friday afternoon because of the leadership conference. Anyway, I didn’t get much testing done because of said problem. Things don’t always go according to plan I guess. You just have to roll with the punches.
I didn’t have time to go home and change. Brian picked me up from work and we just went straight to Abode. When we got there they had name tag stickers for everyone but I still had my official name tag on so I just kept it on. Who needs a “Hello, my name is…” sticker when you have a fancy metal name tag? LOL.
It only took ten plus years for me to finally get an official name tag. I’m really glad I have one now because I’ve gotten good use out of it.
Yes, I am nerdy. Please don’t make fun of me.
The food last night was actually not bad. The vendors who participated were Emerson Biggins, Old Chicago, Il Vicino, Abuelo’s, Chapada, P.F. Chang’s, and Truffles Catering. Of course, when drinks are free it makes everything taste better. There was also a chocolate fountain in case the delicious and decadent dessert selections weren’t enough.
I really wanted to win one of the bingo prizes. No such luck, though. The big winner at our table was Brigid’s sister Mary. She won bingo game number four, called by Bonnie Bing. Bonnie was the best bingo caller that evening by the way. The other celebrities were great, but Bonnie stole the show.
Anyway, Mary won a $100 gift card to Bradley Fair. Lucky girl!
At the end of the evening we checked out the results of the silent auction to see if I won anything. Brian always tries to stop me from bidding on items and he always fails. LOL. Since he often fails to stop me, I think he just prays that someone outbids me on my items most of the time.
I’m glad we checked the silent auction results before we left because I did win one of the items that I was bidding on. It was silent auction item #217, a necklace and a sign from Pink Boa. As we were leaving, I enthusiastically (it doesn’t take a lot to get me excited) showed Misty what I’d won in the auction.
She was like, “Did you WIN it or did you BUY it?”
She can be such a “Debbie Downer” sometimes. I WON my loot in the silent auction and she’s not going to convince me otherwise.
Anyway, I had so much fun playing bingo last night that I’m actually considering hosting a bingo night at our house. Do you guys think anyone would come? Or is this just too nerdy of an idea to catch on? What do you all think?
Comment on This
Shakira Grand Slam
Posted on July 22, 2014 by Ching under Videos, Zumba.
Here’s some trivia for you. Did you know that Shakira has performed at three consecutive FIFA World Cup finals events? Oh, yes. And she was amazing all three times.
Here’s the proof.
FIFA 2006 (Germany)
FIFA 2010 (South Africa)
FIFA 2014 (Brazil)
All three songs are huge in the Zumba world. Seriously. Not just these three, actually. She has so many great songs that are perfect for Zumba. You could do a whole class of just all Shakira songs (though you’re not really supposed to do that). Just saying. I love Shakira! And, apparently I’m not alone. FIFA loves her too.
Comment on This
And They Say There’s Nothing To Do in Kansas
Posted on July 21, 2014 by Ching under Events, Things to Do.
Looking for something to do? Here are some options:
KEYN Summer Concert Series
Every Friday, July 11 to August 15
Wichita, KSKansas Biggest Rodeo
July 31 to August 2
Phillipsburg, KSMidget Nationals
July 31 to August 2
Belleville, KSBusker Festival
August 22 to 24
Lawrence, KSTumbleweed Festival
August 22 to 24
Garden City, KSHeritage Day
August 23
Yoder, KSLittle Balkans Days
August 29 to 31
Pittsburg, KS
Did I miss anything? Add your event in the comments.
Comment on This
Rustier Than a Hundred-Year Old Nail
Posted on July 19, 2014 by Ching under Games, Poker.
We played poker at Nilla’s last night. Ugh. I played like such a novice. Last night made me realize how rusty I am. We need to start playing poker regularly stat.
Congratulations to our friend Becca who made the final table and chopped the prize!
April said that she saw a poster for chess tournaments, which they also have at Nilla’s. I was thinking I might actually fare better at that. Unlike poker, Brian and I have actually been playing a lot of chess lately.
Comment on This
