Holiday Cheer!

It is the Holiday Season, which means it is the time of year to be thankful and celebrate. It is now time to put up Christmas lights and decorate the inside or your house. Make it a fun night with the family and get everything done. Some fun things to do during the Holiday's are: drive around and look at Christmas lights, go to a play, tree lighting event, get some coffee or tea and walk around downtown, watch a Christmas movie, have a party, make a gingerbread house, bake some treats, get a bottle of wine and go in the hot tub. The Holiday's are filled with many fun things to do, so make sure that you enjoy yourself this year and bring some, " Holiday Cheer."

" Celebrate the wonderful things in life, they are all around you." -Brandon Zornado

Bounce Back!

Life is full of surprises. You never know when something is going to happen. There could be a death in the family, you could lose a job, get a speeding ticket, car accident, do bad on a test in school, etc. There are so many things that can occur that we don't plan for. Of course we don't want them to happen, but that is life. It is very important to not let the negative things in life get you down. There have been many times when I have been upset with something that has happened, but I had no control over it. I always try to keep my head up and be positive about the situation. Focus on what is next and bounce back from the past. If you let the negative things that have happened to you in your life stay with you, then you will never be able to move on.

" An accident is something we can't control, but we can control how we react."
- Brandon Zornado

Be thankful for your job!

I received a 4 year Business Management Degree from Western Oregon University with a minor in Sports Management. After college I got a job as a Fitness Counselor at 24 Hour Fitness. It was a perfect job to gain experience in my field. I learned a lot when I was there and I had a great time as well. After 24 I got an amazing job at a construction supply company called, " Ames." My position was the Regional Sales Associate and I was the assistant to the Regional Manager. I traveled all over the Northwest and covered eleven different stores in the region. I would stay in each location for about a week and I would be flown there and put up in a nice hotel. All of my meals were paid for and I got to see some very cool places. To have that type of position at my age was very lucky but I have had a lot of experience so I was qualified for the position. I loved the hours, pay, benefits, travel , and co-workers. There was not one thing I disliked about my job. The construction industry is hurting badly right now and this last year a lot of employees in the company have been laid off. My position is different and I never thought it would happen to me, but I was laid off on October 9th right after I got back from a work trip in Spokane WA. I would give anything to have my job with Ames back.
The economy is horrible right now and jobs are hard to find. If you have a job, be thankful that you are working. There are so many people out there that are unemployed and can't find any work. I am young and I will be ok, but I feel really bad for the people who have families that they need to support and are struggling. Do not take anything in life for granted, especially your job right now. You don't know what your missing until you no longer have it. Make sure you go to work everyday and be happy that you are there. Show your boss that you are a hard worker and deserve to always have your position.

" Work hard for what you want, don't ever give someone a reason to take something away from you." -Brandon Zornado

Animals!

I currently have a dog named, "Dinky" that lives with my parents and I just recently got a cat named, "Lily." Animals are such wonderful creatures. They always seem to be happy and loving life. If I have had a bad day, the sight of my dog or cat cheers me right up. I love how they are right by my side when I am home and they never talk back to me. At first I didn't want to get another animal but I am so happy that I did. I look at my new cat as my little daughter and I am always making sure that she is ok. Never is her water or food bowl empty, and she sleeps right beside me at night. My little dog dinky is the cutest thing in the world and she loves when I come to see her. She will sit in my lap all day long if she could. I enjoy taking her on walks and making sure she gets water when we get back. Animals are great companions and I recommend that everyone who is planning on having kids one day get some sort of animal first because it builds character and responsibility.
" A companion will always be by your side, and love you no matter what."
-Brandon Zornado

Sports Competition!

I have been involved in sports my whole life and I love it. Competition in sports is what it is all about. You practice hard so that when it becomes game time you are ready. There are a lot of ups and downs in sports, because you can't always do good every time. The important thing is that you keep trying and put everything you got into doing your best. It is not about if you win or lose, it is about how hard you try. Some people are naturally gifted in athletics and others have to really work at it. No matter what sport it is the competition concept is still the same. Two teams are playing against each other trying to get the victory. When the winner is decided everyone on each team should not have any regret because they gave it their all.

" If you give it your best shot, you will always be a winner." -Brandon Zornado

A best friend!

Many people have tons of different friends. As you get older it is hard to find time to get together with everyone. People have families, jobs, responsibilities etc. I know that after college there are some friends that I barley even talk to. I love getting together with my friends, we always have a great time. It is sad though thinking about growing apart from them. I am only 23 years old, so imagine when I am in my 30's. I will have a lot more responsibility, because I will probably have kids, a home and not have the time that I use to have. No matter how many friends a person has, they usually only have one that they call their, "best friend." He or she is a friend that you know will be there for you no matter what. Even if they are busy in their life, they will try to make time for you. You can talk to them about almost anything because they are very similar to yourself and you feel comfortable around them. You will share many great memories with them that you will cherish. I am thankful for my best friend and I know that he will be in my life forever.
" Many friends will help you out, but a best friend will be there till the end."
- Brandon Zornado

Forgiveness!

People all do things that they regret. There is not a person in this world that is perfect. Sometimes people say things that they don't mean. It is very easy to say something hurtful to someone else if you are already mad. What we need to realize, is that we should not hold grudges. Life is too short to be mad at someone you love and care about. Of course there is always going to be a time when you are upset with someone but there should never be a time when you hate them and want nothing to do with them. It is the holiday season, which is a time for forgiveness, it is a time to show your loved one's how much they mean to you. If there is someone in your life that has upset you in someway and you still are mad at them, find it in your heart to let it go and forgive them.
" To forgive is not to forget, but it clears the air and releases your regret."
-Brandon Zornado