Trading in Running for this.....

Are you the type of person that takes advantage of the opportunities given to you? Do you like to do things just for the experience? If so, you are a lot like me. I admit I am a people pleaser and have a hard time saying "no" when someone approaches me with an opportunity, but since my running has been put on hiatus I've found other ways to use my time during summer break that has kept me very busy.

I could never decided what I wanted to be when I grew up so I ended up leaving college with multiple degrees/certificates and I've always felt like I needed to use them all. So here is a peek at what I have been up to lately sans running.


1. I mentioned before on the blog that I have been doing some fashion writing. I love this. I'm putting a site together for a retailer. I got to send the clothing to the photographer in NYC and then describe the clothing in the catalog! I then photograph some of the other clothes and merchandise and post them on the store website with descriptions. Such fun!

polka dot vintage dress for Kentuck derby
Here is an example of the kind of work I've done. I put this together. Don't you just love the description?  I love the dress and I am happy how the whole thing turned out. I wish I could share all of the ones I've done. I came up with some pretty clever descriptions!

2. I've also been writing for Broadcast news. This is fun as well. I admit that sometimes it's hard to concentrate because there is so much going on. In the office I work in there are TV's, radios, and police scanners all going on at the same time. It makes it hard to concentrate on writing a story. Those that have been here a while have gotten use to it. I am learning a lot about digital editing. Can you believe that it can take 2 hours of work to produce a news segment that's 2 minutes or less? I was given the option to possibly Co-Anchor, but that makes me nervous. I don't think my voice will lend itself to Broadcast news. I'm more Broadway then Broadcast!

3. I've been busy with the travel agency too. Currently I am helping plan vacations for people who want to travel to Disney (of course), a Disney Cruise, and a trip to Punta Cana.

4.Speaking of trips. I'm currently planning my own vacation too. Unfortunately since I only travel plan part time, I really don't get any "perks" like free trips or anything like some other agents do. In fact we bought a vacation package to Hawaii. Because we have an aging dog that is not well, we chose not to take the trip. The dog is a lot to handle and we feel bad leaving someone else to take care of him. Anyway, long story short, Wyndham vacations left us credit our vacation to a different location and now I will be going to Florida and then on a cruise with a friend.

5. I still write my column and for the lifestyle pages (and the magazine). I have done this job for years and something I don't think I will ever give up (even when school starts back up again).

So after all this, ( and going to PT  4 days a week) I'm kind of exhausted!  Perhaps marathon training was less work...lol.  I'm looking forward to just hanging by the pool and relaxing this weekend. Afterall, isn't that what you are suppose to be doing on Summer Break?

How are you spending your time this summer?  Do you work multiple jobs?  -M

We are linking up with the lovely ladies for the Friday 5!

39 comments:

  1. Wow, that all sounds so exciting...! Exhausting, but exciting! :)

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  2. I'm so sorry about your dog. Chester is only 9 (almost 10), but he's in heart failure so I understand. Thankfully we have wonderful pet sitters & so far can get away & he's doing pretty good at the moment. It's why I did 2 halfs in May - besides Chester, my parents are very elderly & my father has had a lot of problems this year. You sound like a busy girl!

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  3. You certainly are busy Meranda. The dress is really cute and nice description too@ Summertime is fun for us, but our laundry is a mountain every few days because of all the outdoor things we do and the heat! I love spending time by the pool and Lulu likes to sit under the umbrella.

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  4. So sorry to hear about your dog! It sounds like you are very busy! I've worked multiple jobs in the past so I know how crazy it can be. I still occasionally do work on the side and it's very difficult to find time to accomplish everything. I hope you enjoy hanging by the pool and relaxing this weekend.

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    1. Yes, I wish there were more hours in the day! I am having fun and learning a lot though!

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  5. I'd love to write for a living. I started as a Journalism major in college before switching to nursing. And here I am, writing for my blog. It's like a second job...not that I'm complaining!

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    1. I graduated as a journalism major and then became an English Teacher. That is the best way to use both my degrees!

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  6. Wow you are a busy girl! I only work one job but it does take a lot of time,especially with blogging. All of yours sound like fun though!

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    1. Yes they are. I guess I could through blogging in there too as another job, although I don't really consider it "work".

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  7. All those sound like great opportunities. I love the dress silhouette and it looks perfect for summer.

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  8. Looks like you've been up to some really cool things. Great that you're finding a use for the time.

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    1. Yes, I have been enjoying it but am looking forward to a bit of downtime!

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  9. Wow you're busy in a fun way! I worked as a news writer for CBS right out of college. That was so much fun!

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    1. Oh I bet working for CBS was fabulous! Are you in the news writing industry?

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  10. so excited for you - how awesome! have a great weekend :)

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    1. Thank you. I'm looking forward to this beautiful weather!

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  11. Wow, you have a lot on your plate! The dress is so cute and I love the description of it :)

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    1. Thank you! I am so proud of the catalog, I just want to show it all!

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  12. So you pretty much DO IT ALL!!!!
    Between my day job of accounting (blah) & my weekend job of photography & my all week job of youth ministry, I feel ya girl - EXHAUSTING!

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    1. Once school starts up in fall my schedule will look different. Probably equally exhausting though!

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  13. Oh, gosh, Meranda; there was a time that I worked three jobs while in graduate school. Looking back, I'm not sure how I made it but it didn't seem so bad, at the time! I always thought it was kind of nice to have the variety whereas now, with just one full time job, I do the same things all the time. At least marathon training doesn't take a lot of brain power - ha! Hope you have a great weekend!

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    1. Yes it is definitely nice to have the variety! I love knowing that I 'm using all my skills!

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  14. You are one busy lady. I'm glad you were able to get vacation credit in another location! One stressful job is all I can take handle...plus cooking, cleaning, gardening, walking, running, mothering, grand-mothering, dog-mothering... ;) All worth it.

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    1. Teaching can definitely be stressful at times too, so I wouldn't be able to do all these jobs during the school year so I have to take advantage of all the other opportunities during the summer!

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  15. I had no clue you worked so many jobs! How fun, but I'm sure it can get crazy and confusing at times too!

    Do you like working as a travel agent? I was actually talkign to my mom today about wanting to be a travel agent for Disney haha

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    1. Being a Travel planner is fun but you definitely have to love it because it is a LOT of work for very little reward. You can spend HOURS or even Days looking up rates and dates for someone and then have them change their minds multiple times and then have them not even book anything. The plus side is that you can work from home.

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  16. I think one of the reason's we get a long so well is we both work multiple jobs and enjoy doing that!
    Even after I got my degree, I still wanted to go back and get more, I could almost have one in each category, LOL Well if I didn't have to pay for the school:)
    At least all of your jobs are awesome fun, and they are all doing things you love. Not many people can say they do what they love, it's rare and lucky!!!!

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    1. I truly do love all my jobs. The good think is that all the ones I listed here are only part time. I keep doing it for the experience but really, I don't know what I am going to do with all the experience I've gained...lol

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  17. You are a true Renaissance woman! I think it's awesome to have so many talents and be able to put them to good use. :)

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    1. Thank you Shelley. That was a big deal for me. I wanted to know that I was doing something with the skills I've learned!

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  18. Sorry to hear about your dog. You keep busy with your writing, but it sounds like fun!

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  19. Wow. You are crazy busy. However, it all sounds so exciting and varied, I bet you never get bored.

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  20. Sounds interesting and enjoyable doing all these things!

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  21. Wow, that does sound busy, but all very exciting. Being a freelance writer and full-time blogger, I have lots of different writing jobs too. I like how every day is different though.

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  22. Sounds like a lot to juggle but super interesting!

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Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today. Some links may contain affiliate links. Some links are just to pages we'd like to share.