Friday, March 23, 2012

that's just me

I'm going to a work conference in May that will be attended by people from all over the world who work for my company (as well as our parent company).  As part of the prep for this conference, we have to complete a profile that will be posted in an e-team room so that your fellow attendees can get a sense of who you are before they get there.  The profile is supposed to be more personal and fun than about who you are at work...in fact many of the questions you are asked to answer specify that your reply should not be about work (i.e proudest accomplishment).



















I love these kinds of exercises because they can force you to think about aspects of your life that you have not really contemplated before.  I found out a few things about myself, such as when it came down to who was my role model and mentor...in life, not just in work.....I had one very simple answer...my Dad.  What is my go-to-song to make me happy?  For better or worse, it's Breathe by Michelle Branch...everytime.  And I found out something else too.

















Because I work for a pet industry company and the profile was supposed to be about me, not my work, I tried to leave out references to pets.  And found it to be impossible.  My favourite sound...Elora purring.  One of my proudest accomplishments....running a full agility course with Sophie.  Best advice I've ever been given....follow your heart and you will find true joy....advice I "got" from Sophie.  I simply could not fill out a profile about me without including Sophie and Elora...because they are part of who I am ....a big part.  It' s funny to think that just shy of a decade ago, I had never owned a dog or cat in my life....and now, I can't imagine a life without them.  Elora is not just my cat, but my touchstone...and Sophie is not just my dog, by my muse, my compass...my true north.  If you want to know me....you almost have to start with them....and I think that's a wonderful and amazing thing.  But that's just me.

9 comments:

Carolynn Anctil said...

I love this. I also love that the conference organizers used this method as an ice-breaker. Animals are definitely a part of who I am too. Blessings, all of them.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Ah..I would find it hard to not include animals..they are so entangled in ours lives..lovely post..I hope your Easter was filled with joy and family members:)

jan said...

Always nice to read you Andrea. Glad your animal family is well.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Just stopping by to say happy summer! Give Sophie a pat for me and Chance:)

gina@dawsondogs.com said...

I love your comment about your Dad being your role model and mentor. Dads have a way of making you feel like you are just amazing. My Dad always makes me feel like I'm going to make it. I love my dog too. My son rescued her from a snow storm and she has been there for us ever since.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Just stopping by to wish Sophie a belated Happy Birthday..I hope you are all well:)

Robynn's Ravings said...

It's been forever since you blogged and south of forever since I blogged. I just returned and wanted to go through the blogroll to see who was still out here. Don't know if you'll return but if you do I wanted you to know how much I always loved your photos and your journey with all the animals. Minky and I are getting ready to train for an agility course. It is our dream. :) So GLAD for you that yours came true. Minky is five now, TODAY!, and what a good day to visit her faraway friend. Blessings to you, dear girl. Word veri? Trainer. That's not weird, it's perfect. :)

Far Side of Fifty said...

Happy Belated Birthday to Sophie from Chance and me:)

World of Animals, Inc said...

We hope you had a wonderful summer and a really fun birthday that has past. Looks like you have been having a busy time together. Thanks for the share. Have a great day.
World of Animals