Monthly Archives: January 2012

The Lost Art of Thank-You

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Erica Wodzak| 5 Comments

One of the most useful things I’ve learned growing up is the importance of saying thank you to someone. It may seem like common sense, but in today’s technology-driven world, the art of thank you has evolved into an impersonal afterthought. When a friend sends you the notes from a missed class, helps you move to a new apartment, or gives you a really thoughtful gift, a quick ‘oh, thanks!’ is generally the extent of the expression of gratitude. It’s not that verbal thank you’s aren’t enough, because they often are, but nothing quite says “I really appreciate you taking the time to help” like a thank you card sent in the mail.

I remember when I was a kid, I’d get chain letters from a friend, and I actually had to write the entire letter out six separate times. Truthfully, I don’t think I ever actually forwarded the letters on because I just couldn’t endure the hand cramps. Damn how I wished for a way to write just one letter, and turn it into ten. But now, I actually get excited at the thought of writing a hand-written note, because I know the recipient will be pleasantly surprised to receive something in the mail that isn’t requesting a payment of some sort.

I write thank you notes for a plethora of occasions: after job interviews, for my references, when I receive a gift, and more. I’ve even begun to send ‘hello, I miss you!’ letters to my friends, who are located all over the globe. Sure, postage can be expensive, but a couple dollars to brighten someone’s day, or possibly help you land that job post-interview, is absolutely more than worth it.

Because I’ve become such a regular at my local post office, I’ve actually been considering ordering some personalized note cards. I think they’ll elevate the already impressive tone of my note-sending, and amplify the sentiment and professionalism even more, don’t you think? For as long as I can remember, and even when I lived five minutes away, my grandparents have sent me cards for every holiday or occasion, including Easter and Halloween. I always thought it was the sweetest thing, and if I can achieve that kind of esteem in my friends’ and colleagues’ eyes, I don’t see any reason not to head straight to the post office and buy a massive book of stamps ASAP.

images via 1, 2, 3, 4

Filed under Home Life, Work Life

Un-beet-able Chocolate Muffins

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Erica Wodzak| 3 Comments

After the banana bread success I had last week, I decided that I kind of liked the health road I was headed down with my baking. I’m fairly certain that it doesn’t matter how much butter is in a recipe, because as long as there’s fruit in it it’s healthy, right? Before I give you time to think about that, I’ve got a disclaimer for you on this next one. Beets, despite their healthful goodness, do not smell pleasant coming out of a can. Actually, I can’t be certain that they ever smell good, considering this is the first time they’ve actually made it through the door of my house. I’ll keep you posted on that.

{honestly, I've seen nicer batter}

These muffins are adapted from a recipe in this book, and first piqued my interest when I was flipping through and noticed the words ‘beet‘ and ‘muffin‘ in the same title. Seriously, what? This was the absolute first recipe I’ve ever cooked or baked where I was not tempted whatsoever to eat the things straight out of the oven, because I was terrified of them after I had to deal with the smell of canned beets as I mashed them up. But trust me, you’ll want everyone in your house to smell and be disgusted by those beets, because once these babies are baked, they’re surprisingly amazing and you’ll want them all to yourself! And you know what? You should have them all to yourself. Really. All in one sitting. They’re vegetables, so it’s healthy. Right? Uh… right?

Ingredients:

1 + 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup earth balance butter
1/4 cup Splenda + 1/4 cup granulated sugar (because I like to make things difficult)
2 large eggs
14-oz can of sliced beets, drained and mashed
3/4 cup almond milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375˚F. Measure first six ingredients into a large bowl and stir. Make a well in the centre
Cream butter and sugar in a medium bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add beets and milk and stir.
Add butter/sugar mixture to dry ingredients, and stir until just moistened.
Fill 12 greased or lined muffin cups and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean.
Let stand for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool

Seriously guys, I know you’re still a bit skeptical, but trust me. These muffins are un-beet-able. God I’m witty… (but seriously, make them, you won’t regret it!)

Filed under Home Life, Recipes

Tagged muffin, recipe, snack

Work Hard & Dress The Part

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Erica Wodzak| 4 Comments

If someone had asked me when I was a student intern about how I was being perceived at work, I would have shrugged it off and told them it was irrelevant. I was a student, and my coworkers knew that, so I didn’t care one way or another. Not surprisingly, I used to dress for work in mainly neon leggings and ugg boots, and had a different coloured hoodie for every day of the week–I actually cringe while admitting that. All I can say now is: thank god I went to business school.

Two of the most valuable lessons I have ever learned at school, I took away from my masters program, and they are as follows:

it’s not what you know, it’s who you know (but more on that another time).
dress (and work) for the job you want, not the job you have.

Despite the fact that I knew that I had no concrete future with my previous employers (I was working on 4-month terms–more on that here), I made no effort to get to know my coworkers. In fact, I practically dodged them in the hallways. I thought it pointless to get to know people that I’d likely never see or speak to again, and I felt that I had nothing in common with the ‘corporate monkeys’ who dressed in suits every day. Oh Erica, you were so, so wrong. But my, how wise I’ve grown in these past few years!

{I used to be the first one, but then I smartened up}

I came into my current job determined to change my philosophy on being employed. No longer was work just a necessity for making rent and pleasing my mentors. If success in my career was something I really wanted, I was going to have to live it more than 9-5, Monday to Friday. I was going to have to talk to my superiors, befriend my coworkers, and participate in my office’s culture. I also came to realize that my motivation is not something that can be turned on during the work day, and off at night–it doesn’t just go away like that. Since I wanted to see tangible results from my hard work, and break out of mediocrity, I did what any crazy, overly-educated ex-student who’s faced with reality does–I threw out my ugg boots, I banished my tights to the closet, and I discovered that office attire is kind of awesome.

And then, something else happened. I got promoted. After less than three months at my first post-grad job, I am now being moved to another department with about a bazillion new opportunities and possibilities. I might be tooting my own horn here a bit, but I’m just so excited that this has happened, and it feels unbelievable to see my dedication pay off. I always knew that it would, but I envisioned a timeline more along the lines of 3-5 years to be able to make the interdepartmental transition. As luck would have it, a niche position came up, and my name popped onto my boss’ desk for a reference.

{make yourself indispensable}

So what can I take away from this, other than the fact that I need to celebrate with a pair of new dress pants from Banana Republic? (2008 Erica is gagging at that statement). Well, although my determination paid off quickly this time around, I can’t exactly change my expectations for the future. If I remind myself that this sort of quick-action is the exception, not the rule, I’ll definitely save myself a lot of frustration and desperation down the line. But what I do want to keep in mind for next time is that it’s important to always be on your A-game. It’s hard to predict when chance opportunities might arise, but when they do, I want my name to be the one that comes up. I know this is true for my industry, and I’m sure it’s true for so many others as well.

So for everyone out there who has big dreams, please do me a favour the next time you feel like you’ve reached a goal-plateau, or you’re not getting what you want. Get up from your couch/office chair/wherever, go to your closet, pick up the ugg boots of yester-year, and get rid of ‘em! I know it’s tough to let go of what’s comfortable, but I promise it’ll pay off. In the meantime all you can do is work hard, be proud of what you do, and go shoe shopping, because suddenly you’ve got a whole lot of empty space in your closet!