Snow Day!

Well, it's a snowy day in St. John's today, with over 20cm having fallen since the early morning. Though I was up nice and early this morning to prepare to venture out into the weather, my lovely boss sent word to stay home and work from my couch. So, that's what I've been doing!

Later tonight, since it looks like this outside:

I'm going to be doing a whole lot of this inside:

I hope everyone in St. John's is snuggled away from the weather, but if not, take care if you're out driving, and Happy Snow Day!

Tadaaa! Here's the Latest...

Well, like I'd said, change was a comin', and it came.

The big news is that incase you didn't already know, I've moved from Toronto back to my home in St. John's, Newfoundland. While I loved Toronto, and still do, I felt it was time to come back to Newfoundland for a little while at least, to clear my head and figure out which direction I wanted my life to go in. That included both my personal life and professional life.

I wasn't really sure how long I'd be staying here, but as fate would have it, I ended up getting a job at one of the best PR agencies in Atlantic Canada - it wasn't something I really planned, but when you're trying to figure out your life, having a job offered to you really does help you answer some questions. This job will have me here in Newfoundland again for at least a year, which gives me plenty of time to again, figure out if I want to put down roots here, or make another move to somewhere else in Canada, or even, the world.

I'm looking forward to learning more about the PR industry here in Newfoundland, and becoming familiarized with the community in St. John's, especially social media wise. Toronto is famous for its numerous tweet ups and social media events, and being kind of new to that world here in Newfoundland, I'm still discovering what kinds of things go on here in this smaller city.

Not only that, but I decided it was time to change the look, feel and title of my blog, since I can't really say "I'm Not in Newfoundland Anymore..." because I am. So, time for a fresh, clean slate. And name! Since this blog is about me, why not call it The Elizabeth Files?

Wish me luck as I continue on in my new position at the agency! I know it's going to be a great experience, one I'll take a lot from!

The Summer That Was...Amazing

I realized while I was writing this entry that it's been exactly five months to the day since I've updated my blog. I know I've said it before, but I had a good reason!

After a month's stay home in Newfoundland in April, I returned to Toronto in May to begin a new job. And this job actually consumed my life for the next five months. I lived, breathed, slept and ate this job. And it was worth every minute of it.

I had the privilege of working on a television show, doing publicity and viewer relations for it. Yeah, I worked six days a week, didn't sleep much, forgot to eat breakfast...lunch...an afternoon snack here or there, and I didn't read a book for a looong time. But those months were some of the best of my life, especially during my (so far) short career. I worked with an outstanding team of communications professionals whom I learned a great deal from and made some great connections with. I got to see the production side of a hugely popular television show, something that not many people can say they've seen. I can't gush enough about how much I loved this job. It simply was the best. :)

I'm sad that it's over, but like all television shows, (or anything, really) all good things must come to an end. I'll never forget my summer working on Dance. It gave me a whole new appreciation for an art form that I hadn't paid much attention to for years, and has made me fall in love with dancing all over again. Plus, I learned some sweet new dance moves... (it's true, I'm thinking of taking a dance class in the new year!)

Oh, and by the way, here a few of my favourite routines from this season. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did, because as one of the videos sings...I had the time of my life. :)

The New Job: I'm Lovin' It.

I know it's been a month since I last blogged, but for good reason - I started my new job! From day one, it's been go, go, go, and I'm lovin' it.

As the newest intern on the Digital team at HRC, I'm a busy bee! Whether I'm checking spelling and grammar on a piece of writing for a colleague or doing research for someone else, or popping into a last minute brainer, I'm always kept on my toes.

Being new to any job, there's so much to learn and get used to. This job, however, is my first real "office" job, so learning the ins and outs of techie type stuff has been interesting as well. (working the printer was a big step for me. Don't even ask about sending a fax, that's too complicated right now.)

The people I work with are great - so much fun and always available to help a poor newbie like myself. No one hesitates to answer whenever I tentatively ask a question about something or other. We play while we work too, and can frequently be heard calling out random answers to riddles given by one of the Digital ladies. Our favourite answer these days? "Cars can't see dogs!"

I'm really looking forward to growing and learning more and more about the digital side of PR, and I know I'm at the best agency to do this. As always, wish me luck! I think I'm in for an excellent few months! :)

The Job Hunt = Over! Hired!

Being on the job hunt is tough. I think most people know that.

I've been here since the end of September and had been looking for a job right from the start, without having much luck. And as much as I love the Food Network, when you start seeing repeats of certain shows, or have the daily schedule almost memorized, you know unemployment just ain' that great anymore. You're itching to be doing something.

Don't get me wrong, I loved expanding my recipe repertoire, and even went to a few book signings of my favourite chefs, (oh hey, Cake Boss!) but there's only so much one can take. It's been like Food Network overkill. Moderation is key, people.

(If you need a good stirfry recipe though, I'm your girl.)

Anyway, as I said, I wasn't having much luck at all, until a fellow Humber PR grad contacted me about a position that was opening up at the agency she was working. Interested, I applied, had a great interview, and two days ago, I was offered the position! So, I can finally say:

I'm hired!

I begin work at the agency next week, and I'm so excited. A big thanks to my pal Jenna for helping me out, because without her, I wouldn't be in this new position!

Wish me luck and have a happy week! :)

The job hunt = Not so much a time...

I've been back in Toronto for almost a month now, and after spending the first week trying to organize my life at the new apartment, I got serious about the job hunt.

I knew it would be hard, I really did. But when I had people telling me it would take two, sometimes four months to find a job, that was a bit of a blow.

Two months is a long time, four months is brutally long. After one month, I'm already pulling my hair out in frustration, feeling disheartened and constantly trying to perfect a resume that I once thought was pretty darn good.

Part of my problem is that I'm a planner, always have been. And sometimes I laugh at myself for feeling this way, but sometimes I get ticked off that this lack of job situation is interfering in my ultimate life plan. Things aren't going as I'd planned and hoped.

I guess Lennon was right: Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.

Here's the thing, potential employers: I'm hard-working, I'm dedicated, I'm curious and my brain is always ticking when it comes to being creative. I'm going to work at something until I think it's as good as it can possibly get. I get excited about new projects and challenges, and I'm young and fresh-faced, ready to learn anything you're going to teach me. I love public relations, it's my passion, and all I want to do is contribute to your company as much as I can. Why not give me a chance to prove it to you? :)

I'm always open to suggestions/comments/being pointed in the right direction, so if you know of a job that might be of interest to me that I may have missed, please, don't hesitate to comment, or contact me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, anyway you can. I'm all ears. :)

Wish me luck. :)

Moving Day is approaching

I finished the internship last week and am now in the process of trying to wrap my head around moving back to Toronto. I keep trying to tell myself I'm going back, but it's just not sinking in. I really do have mixed feelings about going back...

I'm going to miss family and friends here in Newfoundland, and really miss where I was interning...but at the same time, I know it's time for a change again. Time to move on and experience something else. Even though I have lots of people telling me to stay, and half of me wants to stay...I'm still making myself go, because I don't feel...settled.

It's like trying to put not even a square peg, but an oval peg in a round hole...it's almost right, but not quite. It's not enough. It's just...not.

So...off I go. :) Again.

The job hunt is on for Toronto, so if you hear of any openings, please, I'm all ears. :) And to my TO friends, you've been forewarned...so don't be surprised when I start texting to meet for coffee/drinks/whatever! :)

Have a happy weekend!