Songs and Snow!!

So, the only song that I keep going back to that describes my SHM experience is Ice Ice Baby for two distinct reasons. One is a serious interpretation of the musical genius that is the lyrics, and the other is a funny story.

1. Firstly, although 99% of the lyrics to Ice Ice Baby have absolutely NOTHING to do with SHM or my experiences here, there is one line of perfection right in the beginning. "Stop. Collaborate. And Listen" I think that these lyrics expertly describe the Marketing Co-op position. The Marketing department as a whole deals with all of the different "clients" or other areas of the business (such as Advocacy, Membership, the Center, ect), and those areas are split between all of the staff in the department. It is the MA's job to assist them all in some way and jump in on different types of projects whenever needed. This is really where the "Stop. Collaborate and Listen" comes in. One thing I have learned here is that all members of SHM, especially the Marketing department are more than eager to "Stop" and help me learn what they are doing, how they do it, and why the do it. They are also a well oiled machine which is where the "Collaborate" enters. Even though members of the team handle different aspects of the business or "clients" they are a cohesive group and I could not have picked a better "family" to join. The "Listen" I believe can be interpreted in that the Marketing Team is extremely responsive and inclusive to all ideas, including my own! I feel like a valued member of the team, and even though I am only an assistant, they frequently ask my opinion or listen to my ideas or insights.
2. Secondly, I have a funny story related to this song. Often in the mornings the elevator rides getting up to our floor can be a nightmare. They are crowded, hot, and frequently filled with extremely awkward silence. A few weeks ago, I had the best elevator ride of my life. As everyone was filing into the elevator, squeezing every last person aboard, a lady walks in and stands on the corner opposite to me. That was when I heard it. Ice Ice Baby was blasting from her ear buds and she couldn't contain her head-bob to the beat. She was the first successful person to break the awkward silence of the elevator and it genuinely made me feel as though I would have a good day. If this lady could jam out to Ice Ice Baby at 8 in the morning and love her life, why shouldn't I be able to do the same? (maybe with just the loving my day part, not the Ice Ice Baby part...)

Morals of my stories, SHM is an amazing place to work, and one should always joyously live their days, work-week or not. Enjoy this funny and weird song blast from the past!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rog8ou-ZepE

Also, I love snow!! I have the firm belief that if I have to suffer through cold Pennsylvania winters, I would rather do it with snow on the ground. Snow can be gorgeous (maybe not directly in center city), but it gives me a sense of purpose for the harsh temperatures.