The Awkward Shy Girl Goes to #SoFabCon14…and has a BLAST!
First of all, let me just say that it’s been way too long since I posted on this blog and I apologize for that. I have been neglectful in updating you all on my Fatty Friday posts and my life in general. That’s going to change today when I tell you all about how this awkward shy girl made it to #SoFabCon14, found a little more voice, and had a darn good time! #CollectiveBias
Getting ready for the opening reception and cocktail party
You all may remember me talking about SoFabCon last year when I talked about how shy I was at the conference and how I still managed to make a few personal connections. This year was quite a bit different as I met so many more people and found out how many people knew me through the work I’ve been doing in the past year. I made more than a few small connections and, more importantly, I had fun and made some new friends (or rather, I strengthened some existing friendships).
First of all, I roomed with Danielle from Simmworks Family Blog and she was the best roommate ever. She is so encouraging and supportive and I never really realized what a great friend she was until this weekend. I don’t want to say that I didn’t think we were friends, but I just didn’t realize…You know what I’m saying, right? Anyway, she and I got along great, she didn’t complain about my snoring, and we spent a lot of time together throughout the weekend.
Danielle’s best friend is also a friend of mine, Mariah from Formula: Mom, and Mariah didn’t have a roommate so we spent a lot of time with her and baby C (who was the perfect baby all weekend, by the way). Mariah and I go back a couple of years and we’ve had our rocky moments, but I’ve always loved her and this weekend just strengthened our friendship even further. We even talked about a collaboration project that we may be starting soon! Apparently, I was already a part of this collaboration and nobody remembered to tell me, so there’s that. Ha!
Of course, I had to connect with “the girls”, the Beavers, who love on me all the time and really encouraged me and supported me when I didn’t think I was going to make it to the conference. While I may not feel like I fit in with them in person (they are very social and well-known in this community), they always welcome me with literal open arms and they wish I would just come out of my shell and join them. I’ll get there someday, but until then I feel their love and they know it is mutual.
Rachelle Lasquite from Collective Bias – one of my Account Executives!
Sara Blake and Ali Kirby from Collective Bias – My Community Managers!
Bailey Carroll and Annette McCormick from Collective Bias
One of the things that shocked me about the conference was the number of people who knew me and wanted to meet me. You see, although I don’t talk about it much here, I have been working on a contract basis with Collective Bias/Social Fabric as a campaign leader for about a year now. I’ve worked with a ton of bloggers and some of them multiple times. There were some that I wanted to meet and was worried I would be too imtimidated, but then found out that they wanted to meet me just as much. It was so much fun to see people in person that I normally only see in that little square or circle on my computer. It also really helped that people wanted to come up to me and say Hi so I didn’t have to make that leap. I’m much better at talking to someone who starts a conversation than getting up the nerve to start it on my own.
Don’t get me wrong, it was not all fun and games and I had my awkward shy girl moments.
A special treat from Mars Candy – Dove mint chocolate #SoFabSweets
I was spending quite a bit of time with Darcy from Life with Darcy and Brian and although Darcy is a leader online, she can have her quiet, shy moments in person as well. I don’t know if she considers herself shy, but she’s at least quiet like me at times. Anyway, we were standing together at a party on Friday night and I was burning up! Howard and Benjamin called to say goodnight and I stepped out to call them back, then decided to go outside for a smoke. It was even hotter outside so I just decided to go up to my room. I’m not a partier and I was just too miserable to go back in that room. Well…I kinda never told Darcy that I was leaving and then I never came back…and so she messaged me later that evening and told me that I had totally disappeared on her and that she had turned to say something to me and I was gone! OMG, I’m such a freak sometimes!
Face painting from Donna at make-n-faces.com
I also managed to almost offend one person who I totally love and adore. You see, there’s an employee at Collective Bias, Kelli, who I love so much. She is so sweet and helps me out a lot. I’ve written to her and just said “what in the world did I do” and she’ll just laugh and say “no problem”. She’s a fixer sometimes. At the cocktail party on Thursday, Kelli came up to me and said Hi and hugged me and honestly, folks, I had no idea who she was. Ugh! I had never met her in person and by the time I met her I had been overwhelmed with social interactions for about two hours and it just didn’t occur to me who she was. I think I smiled and said Hi, but I also think I gave her a weird “who are you” kinda freaky look. I made up for it (I think) on Saturday night and found her to talk to her. I told her what was going through my head and that I had realized much later who she was and was horrified at my response. She laughed it off and hopefully understands now. Phew!
So, this awkward shy girl went to SoFabCon, learned a TON, met a LOT of new people, survived 3.5 days of social interaction, and had an absolute blast!
Tell me your awkward moments, shy or not, and make me feel more normal!
I loved meeting you! YOu are so beautiful inside and out! It was a joy!
mel recently posted..My Lulu Avenue Gorgeous Earrings!
It was so great getting to see you again this year, I only wish we had more time to chat! Did you feel more comfortable and less at this year’s event? I know I did, even though it was still out of my comfort zone.
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom recently posted..5 Easy Ways to Save for Your Summer Vacation and Lower Your Car Insurance
I totally have shy and awkward moments too. Even though you disappeared on me, I didn’t want to give you a hard time about it… just wanted you to know I noticed you were gone
It was great hanging out with you again and I’m looking forward to next year!
Darcy recently posted..I Want to See Maleficent for my Anniversary (+Printable Activities) #Maleficent
I love you so freaking much! You are a million times more amazing than you think. Truly. Thank YOU for being my friend. <3
Mallery Schuplin recently posted..Housewife Duties
I love to see you emerging from your shell. Even if you felt it, you sure as heck didn’t look socially awkward this past weekend. Now hurry up and jump in those beaver pictures!
Christy recently posted..Have YOU Found Your Tribe?
It was great to meet you this past weekend! hope to see you again!