Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Press-ure release
This morning I was working on a press release, my most dreaded of tasks. It's one of those job duties that I just don't look forward to. Write a magazine article? I'm on it like white on rice. Design a brochure? Love it! Consider it done. But ask me to write a press release? I want to crawl under my desk and hide. It's one of those things that I typically push to the bottom of the stack until I absolutely have to do it.I was trying to work through this releaseaphobia (self-coined term, if you didn't notice) a few weeks back, and I thought I had figured out the source of my fear: not being confident in my own writing skills. Although that was part of it, today I realized that there was more to it than that.
So I was meeting with my boss, John, this morning about this release I was starting, and I was asking for his advice on the outline. During our conversation, we started talking about our personal writing styles -- his being more factual and to the point, and mine being more human interest, more like a magazine article. And finally I fessed up. "I dread these press releases," I admitted. "I just feel like they're so boring, and I have to stick to the same outline every time. There's no room for creativity."
There. I said it. What I didn't expect was his response. "Well, Weslynn, go with what feels right. Make it more human interest, if you'd like. There's nothing that says you have to write press releases the way I do. I write using that outline because I'm a more factual writer, but your style is different. Write the release how it feels most natural to you."
I can't explain the light bulb that went off in my head at that moment. It was like I heard angels singing and the sun came beaming through the window as a dove flew by. (Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic.) Seriously though, John's words of wisdom made me realize what I've been doing this whole time: trying to squeeze myself into somebody else's box. In a sense, I've been playing copy cat with my work. I've been limiting myself by shying away from my own style, my own creativity. I've had this subconscious thought that my writing had to be like his in order to be right. But truth be know, there is no right. There's just different.
It was a very liberating moment for me. I believe that this epiphany will help me do a better job at work and become more confident in the materials I produce. But it also caused me to ponder how I may be limiting myself in other areas of my life. When I get dressed in the morning, am I expressing who I am, or am I copying somebody else's sense of fashion? When it comes to ministry, am I trying to be like everybody else, or am I striving to be who God created me to be? After all, I'm an original (as we all are). Why try to be like somebody else, when I can experience the freedom of being me?
From my heart,
Weslynn at 1:37 PM
Monday, February 05, 2007
It's so hard to say good bye
My time in England has come to an end. It's about 11:30 p.m. right now (that's 6:30 p.m. for those of you on the east coast), and I'm bundled up on the couch at my dad's writing this blog. I'm sad to go. Of course I will be glad to get home to my sweet kitty Jade and to all my friends and family... but I'm sad to leave my dad and other mom so soon. It feels like I just got here yesterday and already a week has passed. Time truly does fly when you're having fun, especially when you're spending it with those you love.
On a lighter note, today was a wonderful day. We shopped at a mall in Cambridge (which is about 15 minutes from my dad's house), and I got to visit my favorite clothing store -- H&M! I fell in love with this store years ago in Belgium, and it's always a "must do" for me when I'm near one because their clothes are so stylish, yet very affordable. I stocked up on a few staple pieces (a few light sweaters, a silk blouse, a headband, a pair of sunglasses) and also picked up a red, very chic "Jackie O"-style jacket at another cool store. I always love shopping in Europe because styles are typically a bit ahead of the U.S. A girl's gotta stay a step ahead of the rest, you know. ;)
Afterwards we stopped for lunch at a cute cafe because I had to have a scone with cotted cream before I left. It was so yummy! And the tea (with local honey) was good too.
After lunch and a quick stop at the base, we headed home and enjoyed some fun family time for the rest of the evening. Tomorrow dad will head back to work (he took Friday and Monday off) while Mrs. Donna and I head to the airport, bright and early at 7:00 a.m. Please keep me in your prayers. I get in on Tuesday evening and report to work on Wednesday morning, so please pray that I'll be refreshed and not too jet-lagged!
Love you all, my fam and friends!
From my heart,
My time in England has come to an end. It's about 11:30 p.m. right now (that's 6:30 p.m. for those of you on the east coast), and I'm bundled up on the couch at my dad's writing this blog. I'm sad to go. Of course I will be glad to get home to my sweet kitty Jade and to all my friends and family... but I'm sad to leave my dad and other mom so soon. It feels like I just got here yesterday and already a week has passed. Time truly does fly when you're having fun, especially when you're spending it with those you love.
On a lighter note, today was a wonderful day. We shopped at a mall in Cambridge (which is about 15 minutes from my dad's house), and I got to visit my favorite clothing store -- H&M! I fell in love with this store years ago in Belgium, and it's always a "must do" for me when I'm near one because their clothes are so stylish, yet very affordable. I stocked up on a few staple pieces (a few light sweaters, a silk blouse, a headband, a pair of sunglasses) and also picked up a red, very chic "Jackie O"-style jacket at another cool store. I always love shopping in Europe because styles are typically a bit ahead of the U.S. A girl's gotta stay a step ahead of the rest, you know. ;)
Afterwards we stopped for lunch at a cute cafe because I had to have a scone with cotted cream before I left. It was so yummy! And the tea (with local honey) was good too.
After lunch and a quick stop at the base, we headed home and enjoyed some fun family time for the rest of the evening. Tomorrow dad will head back to work (he took Friday and Monday off) while Mrs. Donna and I head to the airport, bright and early at 7:00 a.m. Please keep me in your prayers. I get in on Tuesday evening and report to work on Wednesday morning, so please pray that I'll be refreshed and not too jet-lagged!
Love you all, my fam and friends!
From my heart,
Weslynn at 6:21 PM
Sunday, February 04, 2007
City girl
Well, my time in London is over... but it was a blast!
We arrived at our hotel in London on Friday afternoon and took the tube into the city after getting settled in and a bit spiffied up. We ate dinner at a "carvery" called Albert and Victoria's, where we dined on carved roast beef, ham and turkey, as well as yorkshire pudding, cauliflower casserole and some other veggies. For dessert, I had a yummy Belgian waffle with bananas, caramel and whipped cream.
Afterwards, we headed to the Apollo Victoria Theatre to see Wicked. There are really no words to describe how amazing this show was. It was the most awesome thing I've ever seen! And the story (pretty much a prequel to The Wizard of Oz) was so great! I wish I could describe how amazing it was! I'm a huge fan of musicals anyways, so seeing one live -- "the real thing" -- was a wonderful experience.
My dad and "other" mom, Donna, decided that since I loved Wicked so much, we should go see another production. So, they took me to see a matinee of The Lion King on Saturday. (It's one of their favorites. Dad had seen it twice before, Mrs. Donna once.) It was amazing too! Of course, Wicked was my favorite, but The Lion King was wonderful as well. The costumes were so crazy! The creative ways these actors and dancers portrayed animals was so neat. The hyenas, elephants, lions (of course)... they were all amazing costumes. And the story, of course, is beautiful and was just as moving "live!"
After the show, we walked around the "lovely" (insert British accent here) city some more. I snapped some great photos of Parliament and Big Ben at dusk as we headed to St. Thomas' Hospital -- where my good friend and mentor Liz was born! We were excited to finally find it. Liz' mom told her that she could see Big Ben from her hospital room window. When we got there, it was definitely the one! It was directly across the Thames River from the famous landmark. Too bad National Lampoon's European Vacation wasn't released until about 15 years later... Liz' mom could have uttered the famous movie line (slightly altered): "Look, Liz! Big Ben! Parliament!"
Topping off our evening was some window shopping followed by dinner at a cute cafe. I must say, I don't think I really understood the definition of window shopping until yesterday -- when we entered the world famous Harrod's. This is my third trip to London, but the first time I've entered the store of all stores. All I can say is... O.M.G! I felt like Julia Roberts on Rodeo Drive in Pretty Woman (minus the skimpy attire and scandalous career). Glamour, glamour, glamour. That's the best way to describe Harrod's. We only skimmed the surface of this huge store, but once we passed the Burberry and Jimmy Choo goods, it was like entering Willy Wonka's factory! Their candy and ice cream shop was a picture from a storybook! When I have kids (and if we ever head to London together), Harrod's ice cream shop will be on the list. And the next time I go to London, their sushi bar will be on my list. The 'rents don't fancy the fishy delicacy, so it will likely be a solo venture next time I visit Harrod's. :)
We left London bright and early this morning and have been enjoying this day of rest since we got home. Mrs. Donna and I have been reading, watching tv and munching, while dad is out golfing. The poor guy will need some man time... shopping is on the list for tomorrow morning! One of my favorite stores, H&M, is on the "must do" list! Tomorrow is my final full day here, before I head back on Tuesday afternoon. This time has flown by, but it's really been wonderful!
See you all soon!
From my heart,
Weslynn at 8:09 AM
Thursday, February 01, 2007
London calling
Well, I made it!Today is technically my second day here in England, although it's my first full day. I arrived Wednesday morning and spent the afternoon at the house napping and hanging out with my dad and stepmom.
Tomorrow afternoon we head to London for the weekend, and we'll be seeing Wicked tomorrow night! I'm so excited! I've been wanting to see this show for a while! It will also be nice to have two full days to explore the city, both during the day and at night. I've always loved exploring cities at night. They're so enchanting! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and hope to post some as soon as I get back -- probably Sunday evening.
See you all soon!
From my travelling heart,
Weslynn at 1:30 PM