Hello, there! It’s been pretty quiet around these parts and that’s because I’m on vacation in sunny Florida! But long before I had my vacation planned, I had a date with Tiffany from Mrs. Tee Love Life Laughter for Ask Away Friday that I just couldn’t miss! Tiffany is a beautiful mother of 6 kids that she calls “Team Haywood” and she blogs about her family, fashion, and all sorts of bloggy goodness. If you’re looking for a great way to build your blog presence, get to know Mrs. Tee – she’s positive, supportive, and throws tons of great blog parties each week!
Ask Away Friday is a great way to connect with other bloggers by swapping 10 questions to get to know each other more. #AAF is hosted by Penney at the Real Housewives of Caroline County, Amber from Bold Fab Mom and Tiffany from Mrs. Tee Love Life Laughter. Check ‘em out and find out who else is playing along this week!
Here’s what Tiffany asked me:
I just read you entire About Me and it was so refreshing. I see that you current career was one you came to after being in a totally different field. Would you describe your current career path one that is a passion or merely a job?
I’ve had many different roles, but I never considered any of them as merely a job. I’ve acquired all sorts of different skills and built up my network of business partners along the way, which is perfect for my current role as a Project Manager in strategic initiatives.
I always get to work on the new, exciting projects alongside the most talented individuals in the company. I wouldn’t say that I’m passionate about every project – for example, implementing digital pricing signs on top of dishwashers does not get me high on life; however whatever I do, I do it WITH passion. It’s a huge reflection on my work ethic. Last year, I led the implementation of the digital experiences for the Adam Levine and Nicki Minaj products at Kmart.
In your transition from one career to another what is the biggest thing you’ve learned about yourself?
I consider myself a pretty cautious person who always stayed within my comfort zone. I never strayed far from my home town. I married the first guy I dated. I have the same friends I had since grade school. So in some ways, I’m the same person I was 15 years ago.
Switching careers from IT Audit to Social Media and now being a Project Manager helped me learn that I am a risk-taker. I pushed my limits and stepped outside of my comfort zone to try something new and exciting. It opened up so many other opportunities and I love what I do. It was a pretty bold move, but I’m glad I did it!
I love how your Blog name completely represents you and your life…and your kids 🙂 How did you come up with their names? Is there a story or did you simply like them?
We had quite a few names on our short list for our baby girl: Alyssa, Arianna, Arielle, Olivia, and Anabella. We didn’t decide on the name until I was admitted to the hospital and the nurses let us borrow a book of names so we could look up the meanings…At that time, we were obsessed with American Idol (you know, back when it was Randy, Paula, and Simon) and we wanted our baby to be a singer. The meaning of Arielle is “heavenly singer” so we decided on that one!
For our baby boy, we wanted a unique yet masculine name. It’s hard to choose boys’ names! I liked Xavier, but didn’t want to people to call him “EX-zavier” so we switched it up to Zavier, with a “Z”. The meaning of Zavier was “new home” and at that time we were looking for a home to raise our little family.
You mention you have many family celebrations…what is your favorite part about gathering together as a family?
My sis and I didn’t have cousins our age growing up, so I love seeing A&Z playing with their cousins. It’s like having built-in besties for life!
What is your least favorite part about a family gathering?
My biggest pet peeve is when we’re all sitting in a room and everyone is on their cell phones. LAME. Technology makes it easier to connect to anyone virtually anywhere, but we fail to connect in the real world because the technology gets in the way. If that makes any sense. Actually, no it does not make any sense! We need to put our phones away. That’s all.
You said that you were voted Best Dancer in High School…what is your favorite Dance Tune from then and now?
Then…I just remember dancing all the time in high school with my girls – regardless of whether there was music playing or not. LOL The first song that pops in my mind was “4 My People” by Missy Elliott, but that was after high school. Oh, but that’s still a good jam. I’ll get out of my seat and dance right now if you play it!
Now…I’m dancing to “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. It’s such an easy groove and so fun to dance to even though I probably don’t know the latest moves these days.
If you could take any vacation you want with no care to cost where would it be? Pick one for you as a family and one for you as a couple.
I’m pulling this answer from a previous #AAF: As a family, I’d love to go to the Philippines! I’m supposed to call it “home” because that’s what my parents call it, but I’ve never been there before. I would love to go there with Jeff and my kids and visit my grandparents, go island hopping, and experience what “home” is all about.
As a couple, I’d love to go to Hawaii or somewhere exotic like Fuji or Bora Bora. We went to Cayman Islands for our honeymoon:
Pick 3 words to describe your day today.
Today was the first full day of our Florida vacation so this is easy: Sunny. Relaxed. Halo-halo. (That’s a Filipino dessert that I dogged at lunch today)!
Use the following letters to describe yourself: R, D and P
Radiant – I try to radiate positivity and happiness wherever I go. It’s contagious, you know!
Dedicated – No matter what I do, I give it 110%. Friendships, family, work – they can all count on me.
Practical – I save whenever I can, but I’m practical about it. I love a good DIY project, but if it takes 10 hours to make something and costs $3 in materials, when I can buy it for $5 – that’s when my practicality kicks in.
Since you describe yourself as a Coffee Addict I am going to skip my signature Coffee or Tea question. Instead I am wondering about something: You mentioned that your family calls you Gracielle and co-workers call you Grace. Which would you want a Blogger Pal to call you? 😀
What people call me is my silly litmus test on how much a person knows me on a personal level. My professional colleagues and acquaintances call me Grace – it’s my generic name. LOL My family and close friends call me Gracielle. My blog is my personal space where I write about my life, my family, my kids. So to anyone who has taken the time to stop by and read about my personal journey, especially my blogger friends – please, call me Gracielle. 🙂 For pronunciation, click here.
Thanks so much for swapping with me, Tiffany! You had some great questions and I had so much fun getting to know you a little more this week! Don’t forget to check out how she answered my questions here.
xoxo // gracielle.
I love the name of your blog and how it relates to your kids! And I’m also jealous that you are in Florida! We are still in the middle of winter and it seems like Spring will never be here. But maybe I’ll feel differently today…it’s supposed to get up to 50 degrees! Have a great vacation!
Ginny Marie recently posted…Happy St. Patrick’s Day! {Spin Cycle}
I’m having so much fun here in Florida! But today is a gloomy day so we’re taking it easy – maybe some shopping and a movie.
Man, now I want Halo Halo. My daughter’s preschool is near a Filipino restaurant (I love the name lol — The Jeepney Stop) I might just have to stop in today. Enjoy your vacation Gracielle! It is bright and sunny here today.
Herchel Scruggs recently posted…Ask Away Friday with Mrs Aok!
They hooked up that halo halo with all the goodies! It was sooo good!
yay! I am so happy that I had this chance to get to know you better! It was so much fun! I love how you changed the spelling of Z’s name a bit to avoid people saying it weird. It sounds like something I totally would have done! LOL I definitely admire your bravery in making such a major change to your career path. That took not only courage but a lot of self confidence. Hawaii is definitely a place you should visit if you ever have the opportunity it’s beautiful!
Thanks so much for giving me the chance to get to know you more and to call you Gracielle! I hope you have tons of fun at Disney and I can’t wait to hear about it 🙂
Tiffany recently posted…St. Patrick’s Day – Around The World…
Thanks again for swapping with me, Tiffany! You had some great questions 🙂 We had a great time in Disney!! Yesterday we went to the beach and tomorrow we’re going to Universal. We’re taking it easy today because it’s gloomy – maybe shopping and a movie!
It all makes such perfect sense! The names of your kids! I am so jealous. Please give Mickey a hug for me, ok? You are missing nothing in the way of good weather. Don’t look back!
Loved getting to know more about your past!
Tamara recently posted…I’m Just A Small Town Girl..
We didn’t see Mickey, but got a chance to take pics with Merida, Winnie and Tigger, and Ariel. Boy, those character lines are long! I hope the weather turns up by the time we get back…or at least the snow is melted!
Really great questions indeed 🙂 You’ve definitely had some fun changes – must have acquired quite an extensive skill set. The digital experiences look very cool! What a fun project to be apart of. Have fun in Florida, I’m totally jelly! Have a great one Gracielle! -Iva
AwesomelyOZ recently posted…GTFO: Winter Blues
I hope you are having a great time on your vacation and enjoying warmer weather! I can’t wait to enjoy the warmer temps of Vegas next week. I totally agree with you about cell phones at family gatherings… put the phones away!
Jeanne recently posted…My Poor Tank
I feel alive again in the warm weather!! It’s like I’m in a different world! We are so happy here 🙂 enjoy your trip in Vegas next week!
I love these posts! So much fun to learn about other bloggers and read the creative questions. I loved that question to describe yourself using certain letters and your answers were great! And, that is some dessert!!
Lisa @ The Golden Spoons recently posted…Double Teaming Blog Hops and Dishing with Michelle
That’s dessert was sooo good! Yup, Tiffany had some great questions for me for this AAF! Thanks for stopping by, Lisa!
have a great time in florida! it’s nice to hear about other mommies’ professional lives, especially since the world (and the blogging world) just view us as “mommy bloggers” sometimes. 🙂
Roaen recently posted…Product Review & Giveaway | KissMe Organic’s Organic Matcha Green Tea
I intentionally don’t talk about work on my blog as much as I can help it, but Tiffany had some great questions. Similarly I NEVER talk about my blog at work. My head explodes if those two worlds collide. I’m weird like that.
I enjoyed reading about how you and your husband came up with your children’s names. I love that you have whole post on how to pronounce your name. I like how it is pronounced.
Sonya recently posted…Stein Mart Coupon Extra 40% Off
Picking a name is so hard since you have to live with it your whole life (well, unless you change it). I didn’t want my kids to have a tough time with a weird name like I did growing up. Thanks for stopping by, Sonya!
Gracielle recently posted…{Ask Away Friday} Questions with @MrsTeeh
I love the way you came up with the name of your blog. I remember when we were trying to come up with a blog name. We didn’t want just a name, we wanted a brand, something that my husband and I could create together. Expect, he hasn’t had a ton of time to write and share daddy experiences like I was hoping. It has taken me a lot of hard work and dedication to build my site.
We also went to the Cayman Islands for the day while on our honeymoon, we went on a 7 day cruise and Cayman was one of the stops. It was so beautiful there. We shopped mostly in Cayman and didn’t have time to visit the beach. I wish that I lived where the water was crystal blue and the temps were perfect every day.
Christy Garrett Pregnancy recently posted…My Daughter Needs Your Help Deciding On the Perfect Prom Dress
I totally hope that your vacation has been amazing! I am ready for some warmth, one more day and it will hopefully be back! LOL! Those three words sound like they fit you to a tee! That dessert looks absolutely amazing and colorful! I loved reading about your name…I too was one of the many mis-pronouncers! I love unique names, and I never like my own…too plain! Hope you have a great coming week! I would love to swap with you sometime!
Stacey Gannett (This Momma’s Ramblings) recently posted…This Momma’s Meandering Mondays 38!
Halo-halo! I love that! And I really hope you get to be “home” with your family some time. I also find that I tend to stay in my comfort zone most of the time. I’ve had the same job since I first started working and have the same set of friends too! I think that you have a really interesting job especially the shopping part you featured on your previous post 😀
Its really hard to find halo-halo around here! If i do, it’s usually pre-made so I have to ask them to make it special for me because I’m allergic to coconut. This one was the best one I’ve ever had!
Oh I would love for you to visit the Philippines now that I’m realizing you’ve never been before! Awww. I think it would be very exciting for your whole family. I can definitely see what you are saying about the phones and technology when you are with your family. Now that we are here in AZ we have found family and fellowship here and it is nice when we get together. The great thing about having this in real life now is that technology takes a back seat more often now that we have them so I totally get what you are saying . 🙂
Brittnei recently posted…Blogger Opportunity: Healthy Spring Babies Baby Bullet Giveaway Event
my biggest pet peeve is going to a filipino party and everyone is late! drives me crazy!!!
you definitely should go to the philippines. i’ve already been and i’m so much of an explorer that i’d rather go to another country i haven’t visited.
Catherine Gacad recently posted…Update: 30 Weeks and Radio Silence
I’m going to continue calling you by the name I always have (or at least the one I say in my head when I see your name). Gracielle. GrayCL.
I always love these posts because I get to know you even better! It always bugs me when everyone is on their phone at a family gathering. My husband is the worst at it! Especially if we’re at my family’s gathering. But then again, his mom yelled at me for the same thing last time we were over there…so I guess I can’t really say anything.
On cousins, mine ARE my besties for life! And watching Bryson grow closer and closer to his cousins makes me feel better about him not having siblings. Speaking of Bryson, naming him was super hard. I’d convinced myself I was having a girl, so I didn’t even bother with picking a boy name. When I found out he was a boy, I was devastated and felt like the most terrible mother ever for it! But then as soon as I picked out his name I felt better and was super happy to be having him. If we ever were blessed with another child, I’d want it to be a boy. I don’t know if I can handle a girl with all the attitude and high maintenance she’d be likely to require since she’d probably take after her mama.
Enjoyed this post thoroughly and I hope you enjoyed your vacation! Can’t wait to see pictures!!!
Heather recently posted…#AskAwayFriday with DIY Mama Shelly