Category Archives: Let’s Be Adults

To my baby sister on her 21st birthday

25th March 2016

I don’t recall begging our parents for another sibling. I had one of those. He was my dinosaur bone seeking, bike ramp building, lava monster avoiding, best friend.

But the day you arrived, that changed.

It was a different kind of Christmas morning to wake up and have your aunt share the news: you were big siblings and a baby sister was coming home. We had never been prouder, Erik and I.

As you began to walk, talk, run and pull bows out of your hair, it became clear that we were destined to be opposites. I coveted dresses, you despised them. I kept shy, you stole the show. For years, our relationship was grounded more often in yelling than rainbows and hugs.

We heard it over, over and over again: someday she’ll be your best friend.

I can report that bit is true, moms never make mistakes. Here we are, not tiptoeing, but sauntering through our twenties, side by side. I had an inkling we would reach this point, but no amount of family stories can prepare you for what I’ve encountered.

You are my opposite in nearly every way, and I thank God every day for that. In some way, with seven less years on this Earth, you’ve taught us all more than a thing or two and for that, thank you.

Thank you for reminding me to never accept anything but the best. Be that friends, former boyfriends, or a great pair of shoes. Never lose your incredibly high standards, the rest of the world could stand to meet them.

Thank you for showing me that confidence is the best thing a girl can wear. You astonish us all with your ability to command a room, hold your head high and stand your ground, no matter who or what you are up against.

Thank you for constantly pulling me back down to earth and stressing the importance of a good day spent in bed, wearing leggings instead of pants and reminding me that yes, it can wait, Sweet Home Alabama is on T.V.

As you celebrate your 21st birthday, my wish for you is to never cease your ability to make us all to be a little braver, more rambunctious and more compassionate in every moment we encounter. Cheers to endless taco date nights, champagne toasts, movie nights and crossing our fingers that no soul encounters our judgmental gif conversations.

7,671 days after day one, I’m just as proud to wear that big sister title, if only I still had a t-shirt to go with it. Happy Birthday.

How I’m surviving Serial Season Two

13th December 2015

There was a time when I was one of those focused runners who could run sans music or distraction of any kind. During the past few years, that dedication has slowly slipped away and the headphones find their way into my pack far more often than I like to admit. The “you’re not training for a race, just stop and take a break to take pictures” habit has also worked its way into my running routine, but I digress.

Headphones started as a means for talking on the phone to pass the time, progressed to Nike’s Spotify playlists, and for the past few months, have settled on podcasting.

Call it a funk, or a cure to one, but having someone feed stories into my headphones almost makes running feel like the by-product.

It wasn’t until this afternoon, two miles into a run, when the first episode of Serial Season Two came to an abrupt end and I was reminded of this terrible truth:

One story. Told week by week.

I jumped on the Serial bandwagon late. This translates to: I had the luxury of listening to every episode at my heart’s content. Unless someone hold my patience hostage, reality suggests that waiting for a full season of stories is not likely.

In the event that you also find yourself in the same Sarah Koenig, week by week void, here are a few of my other favorites to help you fill the time.

Invisibilia

“The invisible forces that control human behavior, ideas, beliefs, assumptions and emotions.”

This series had me rushing out the door and adding miles just to race to the next episode. If you’re not quite sold, start with episode three, “How to Become Batman.” You’ll be brainstorming DIY superhuman skill tests before the 59 minutes are up.

The Lively Show

“Add a little extra intention to your everyday.”

Jess sucked me in with her exclusive on Young House Love earlier this year. Her topics are simple, yet leave you feeling like you can conquer the world.

The EntreLeadership Podcast

“Grow yourself, your team and your profits.”

Don’t let the business-y focus of this one scare you. These guys know how to tell great stories and they dig into the personal histories of some of business’ best known leaders in a truly valuable way. Episode #115 with Walt Disney World Resort’s former Executive Vice President of Operations Lee Cockerell is a personal favorite.

What have I missed? Any other favorites out there? Preferably anything that plays into binge listening, my sneakers thank you in advance.

Going Digital: changing your name in social media

17th September 2015

You might have noticed a few changes around here. It only took ten months, but I can officially check another item off of the name change list: this website (and Instagram and Twitter).

People can complain about the lines at the DMV and the Social Security office all day long, but I’m here to tell you, after getting married, changing your name in the digital world is infinitely more agonizing. Especially when you go from a Dennihy (hello no competition) to a White. While I’m loving my new last name and all the perks that come with it, defining a new digital identity has been no easy task.

Becoming a White was pretty great. Here’s to digitzing it.

Today, I’m moving over to KaitlynWhite.com and blogging under a new header as well: A Great White Adventure. When I started this blog, it was a requirement of my job. If you scroll way, way back, you might find a few posts describing my thoughts on the social media universe as a result. Like this one.

Why I made the switch

Over time, my thoughts changed from the occasional post about life in the real world, to sharing the everyday surprises and adventures that I love most. So much so that #AGreatWhiteAdventure was even the hashtag at our wedding (another detail I put far more consideration towards than the average human should). Although I’m still working on finding my blogging voice, I’m certain that turning everyday into a curious, unexplored, figuring it out one step at a time adventure is exactly where I want to be.

How to change your name. AKA, I should change my name there too?

Guys, when I say this was more painful than the DMV, I am not kidding. Especially when there was no line at the DMV (that really happened). I’m a big believer in creating and maintaining your personal brand, even more so when your job nearly depends on it. I went back and forth for a long time, do I keep the consistency and name recognition of my online identity? Or do I risk losing some of that clout and go for consistency in the real world?

This has to be a personal decision on what’s best for you, there is no manual (surprise). I am all for people who keep their professional and personal names separated, but for me, the positives didn’t outweigh the negatives.

After ten months of thinking on it, real world won.

My job requires me to meet new people on a regular basis as well as speak in front of the unknown audience from time to time. It’s a lot of fun and so is introducing myself. When someone goes to find me online, that doesn’t always match up. Considering I’m in this White thing for the long haul, it started to make more and more sense.

OK, so how do I make this happen?

Funny you ask. Here’s a handy little chart. Enjoy!