Featured Colleague: Gillian Luce

I was hesitant to bring this back, and honestly I don't even know that "bring this back" is the right term, but I do know that I've been thinking a lot lately about the friendships I've made at work and what blessings they've been.  And in those reflections, I realized that I had yet to write about one of my closest friends, Gillian Luce, whom it just so happens I met at work.

When I met Gillian I wasn't really sure what I thought about her.  I liked her of course, but I didn't necessarily think we'd be friends friends.  You know what I mean.  Looking back, I don't know why this was my reaction.  As different as we are, we do share similarities.  And don't worry, she knows this already so its safe to blog about.  

I don't know where to start with Gillian... there are so many different things I could write about her.  I suppose what you need to know about her work wise is that she is the Marketing Manager for our real estate ILS so we don't technically work for the same division anymore, but we still sit two rows apart from each other.  Her job focuses  on marketing to consumers (aka home buyers) and she does that mainly through social media channels.  Don't get me wrong, I like Facebook, but I could never do her job... however, shes perfect for it.  Gillian is one of those people who can honestly say that she loves her job which isn't something you hear that often- people may be good at their jobs or are content in them, but love is a strong word.

Now on to more interesting things about Gillian.  She is always using quirky expressions in the office like jiminy cricket or whoopsy daisy (this could have contributed to why I thought we might not be close initially) and she is overly formal when she takes call at her desk.  These aren't bad things, they are Gillian things.

She is happily married to a guy I can't stand, just kidding... and she is obsessed with her chihuahua, Bailey, who I really can't stand.  I mean hes alright, but he has the potential to bark incessantly and even Gillian would admit its a bit much.

The only other thing I can say about her is that she has a servant's heart.  Gillian is one of those give-you-the-shirt-off-her-back kind of people.  I don't think there is anything I couldn't ask of her.  She loves her family and friends well and I'm grateful to fall into her friend category.

can't get enough

I like all types of music and it isn't unusual for me to fall in love with a song or an artist and then listen to them excessively until I ruin it for myself.  But, Mumford & Sons, well, Mumford & Sons is different.  I have been listening to them a ton and their songs aren't getting old.


Awhile back, Jake and I came across a music video on tv that really caught our attention.  Immediately, we knew that we weren't familiar with the song and the video was just different enough to keep us intrigued.  Once it finished, I made a conscious effort to commit the name of the band to memory- I can really remember repeating Mumford & Sons over and over again in my head.  Reason being, I am absolutely terrible when it comes to naming artists/songs.  You know how people love to do music trivia? Yeah, thats probably my least favorite "game".  Jake still is amazed each time he asks me to name a band or song (for something I've heard a 100 times and most likely have downloaded on my iPod) and I get it wrong or genuinely draw a blank.  Its just not one of my strong suits... which is why I tried so hard to memorize the name, Mumford & Sons that day.


Anyway, a few days later after I'd been playing the song over and over in my head, I broke down and asked him who it was.  He reminded me and before I knew it had their whole album on his computer.  Since all their songs were already on his laptop, and I'm also not very good about downloading music on my mac, I was only able to access them when he wasn't home.  Which is quite possibly what led to one of the best clean/jam sessions in our apartment.   I suppose the dirtiness of our house combined with my desire to hear the whole cd and the energy of the music itself was fully responsible for the most fun and thorough cleaning experience I've ever had.  I pulled out some speakers and cranked up the volume so that I could hear it from every room (I'm sure my neighbors loved me).  I know it sounds crazy, or maybe it doesn't if you require upbeat music to clean, but if you listen to their music you would easily see how it could pump a person up.  The energy and passion in their songs is so unique.  I suppose if I had to compare them to a current band it would be Kings of Leon, but more acoustic.


Eventually, Jake burned me a copy of their cd and I've been listening to it non-stop.  I play it all the time in the car and make sure to take it out once I get to work so I can access it during the day.  This has been going on for a week now.


I would recommend you listen to a few of their songs, it won't be a waste of your time.  Well, it might be if you are partial to a certain genre of music and what I've briefly described doesn't sound appealing.  Either way, I know I like them.


Here's the video Jake and I saw that started my obsession... PLEASE excuse the profanity at certain points, they don't really curse in any of their other songs.  As another side note, I think one of my personal favorites is, "White Blank Page".

its the little things

Today has been a great day, actually the past few weeks have been great, and honestly, I can't say that any one thing in particular has been responsible for it... its just the little things.

1. I moved my desk which was/is an adjustment and I really like the people I'm sitting with.  They say that where a person sits directly influences the friendships they make and its true.  I've started having conversations with people I hadn't had much interaction with before and I really like them! This came at the perfect time as well, because the person I'd sat beside since I started over three and a half years ago, Meredith, left the company in December and her absence made me sad, it just wasn't the same.

2. I am making friends with the people in our community group.  I already knew some of them, but I feel like I'm making the effort to invest in getting to know them better and it's been great.  Jake says that sometimes I can be anti-social, which is partially true, so its been something I've tried to be conscious of.  For whatever reason, I can honestly say that I like each personality in our Wednesday night group and its been great getting to hang out with them more and see those friendships develop.

3. Tank knows how to jump through hoops... and by hoops I mean circles you make with your arms- its A W E S O M E!  Jake spent a lot of time teaching him this and it was well worth it!  We show every one his new trick and when he is focused, he gets really into it.  He'll jump back and forth, putting on quite the show for our guests.

4. My old roommates and good friends, Meredith and Stacy, both traveled into Va Beach unexpectedly over the holidays!  I only got to have lunch with Meredith, who now lives in St. Louis, but it was nice to even get an hour with her now that shes so far away!  Stacy and I on the other hand had a few hours to spend time together and it too didn't seem long enough!  I just love those girls and how we always manage to pick up right where we left off!  I almost forgot that Katie and Jill traveled in for the holidays as well, but I sort of expected to see them since their families live here!  Regardless, they are 10+ hours away, so any and all opportunities to see them I'll take!

5. I saw The Lion King on New Year's day with Jake and it was unbelievable.  Did I mention Jake went with me?  Also unbelievable.  It wasn't like other musicals I've seen, but it was just as good.  The cast and their costumes created the entire scene on stage; props were minimal.  I've never seen anything like it.

6.  I'm half way through Little Bee and am starting to really get into it.  Thank goodness too, I'm supposed to average reading a book a month per my 30 before 30!

7.  The company I work for announced today that they are allowing us to wear jeans at work every day!!!  Let me say that again, I'm allowed to wear jeans, starting tomorrow, to work EVERY DAY!!!  After that memo came out you couldn't have gotten the smile off my face!  We used to not be allowed to wear them at all, then we could for one day if we participated in different charity drives, next it moved to every Friday, then we got to wear them for two weeks straight starting after Christmas until the New Year, and now... well, you can read!

8. My friend Josh introduced me to this video.  Enjoy!

There have got to be more little things that have happened lately, but these are what are coming straight to mind!  Watch me have forgotten something huge and obvious... which sounds just like me! If that's the case you'll be hearing from me.  Actually, hopefully you'll be hearing from me more regardless.