pages. ladders. doors. horns.

This week has been a week of new beginnings and a breath of some fresh air. Besides the brisk, refreshing temps of the fall creeping up on this weekend which reminds me that my favorite time of year of pool days and the glorious sun are soon in the past, it is also a fresh start for my my career. Sunday was my last day at my first store with Target. My first position out of college. My first real job managing people, developing and training others and myself, and getting paid salary. Gotta love that! It was a bittersweet goodbye on Sunday given the fact that it has been a year and a half as the Guest Experience Exec. and I have developed some great relationships from that store.
However, the sweet part is starting a new leaf in the book titled "Anita's Awesome Adventures through Life". I'll let you know how it turns out. Monday marked my first day training as Executive Team Leader for Logistics. Sounds pretty great with a little more depth than Guest Experience, right?! Well, I will let you know what I learn out of my training because I am still trying to figure out all that I am supposed to do in that position. But the nice part of this transition to a new position is that I will be moving to the store that I initially trained at which means I know some of the people and I have some resourceful partners that I will be working with for the next year and a half. All of that makes me feel a little more at ease with the change. Now, having to go to sleep by 8:30pm or 9pm will take some adjusting since I have to be AT work at 4am...yes, 4am! Woo! This new position will be challenging because it will test my developmental opportunities (or what Target sees as my opportunities) and leverage my strengths to see what I can really do by leading a new team. Ultimately, if I succeed and impact the team and store I will have developed into a stronger leader which leads to a new step on the career ladder.

This whole year so far has been the best yet because of me saying YES more to different events, outings, and people. There's no doubt in my mind that because I have grabbed life by its horns and twirled it around to make it even more fun and exciting, I have seen a more confident and independent me. Its a beautiful cycle. You should try it if you haven't already.

My soulmates know all the people I have met in my life, the dates I have been on, the crazy things that I did when maybe I should have held back when really, it ended up being the right move, and the questionable decisions I have made that they
give me tough love about but let me live life. I have traveled to New Mexico, Netherlands, Brussels, Kentucky, Cincinnati, OH, West Virginia, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Chicago, IL and soon I'll be jet setting off to California where I may not return from... Who knows where else I may be next, but I am up for anything. Whether it be a new restaurant, a new sports team, an invitation where I know no one, or belly dancing to try something new and meet new people. The nice thing in all of this NEW feeling is having people with you to share it with or be a companion when you would like one.

Crystal, me and Katie in ABQ, NM 10.2008

So, this weekend I will be visiting Crystalina in Virginia once again which was such a blast 2 weeks ago that I can only imagine the fun all of us will get into this weekend. Watch out East Coast!

Crystal and I at the DC United vs. LA Galaxy soccer game 8.2009

I have to say that at the beginning of this year, I made some lifestyle changes that have opened up new doors. I told myself, "Ano Nove. Ano Novo." which means, "Year Nine. New Year."

So far so great! I am excited to experience my golden birthday and continue another great year!

"Devemos proferir sempre palavras positivas de felicitacao e gratidao."

"We should always speak positive words of happiness and gratitude."

Beijos...