I’m thankful that I, alone, am not an expert at anything, that I’m forever a life traveler, finding the right path to happiness, success and worthiness. I’m especially thankful that I can define the meaning of those words. I’m grateful that as my own mapmaker, I’ve learned how others forge their paths and stay on them. But, just as importantly, I have discovered how often the path we choose has a detour, a change in course—but not always a change in direction. I’m thankful that God has blessed us with the uncertainty and vulnerability that make us human, that not every decision is a snap one, that internal debate is a given.

I’m thankful for smiles, sincerity and courage. I’m grateful for the gift of time we still have to tell those in our lives how thankful we are to include them in our lists. To everyone, a heartfelt thank you.

Well, pay about $78 for a B share of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, travel (in my case) many miles to Omaha, Nebraska, wait in more long lines than you can imagine, and get up at 5 AM for admission to the Berkshire Annual Meeting (yes. 5 AM), and this opportunity could be yours.   This was something I’ve always wanted to do, and this year I did.

Coming into Omaha, you’ll see hundreds of private jets and limos; for those who come without their own high-end transportation, however, Berkshire provides a free shuttle to all activities from everywhere (even the Budget Inn).   The Berkshire Annual Meeting is a huge event, beginning with a Friday evening cocktail party at Borsheim’s Jewelry (another Berkshire’s company).   In addition to the opportunity to buy items at a generous shareholders’ discount, you may find yourself standing in a long line next to the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company, or a childhood friend of Warren’s (Buffett still calls Omaha home). This odd combination of Buffett junkies, Wall Street Executives, local farmers, and everything in between makes for a unique energy.

The annual meeting begins at 8:30 AM, but if you want an audience with Mr. Buffett (that is, to see him in person along with 18,499 other people), then you’d better be in line at 5AM.  When the doors opened at 7AM sharp, the main arena was completely filled in less than 6 minutes.  The next 40,000 people watch on-screen from other rooms in the Quest Center.

The meeting opens with an exclusive hour-long shareholder video, and then the real show begins:  Warren Buffett answers questions from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.  This session is the main event—you can ask virtually any question and he’ll answer it, adding on anything else he wants to talk about as he munches on See’s Candy (a company he’s extremely proud of).  Buffett is pretty direct with his answers, shortcomings and successes, and the range of questions and comments is amazing.  A woman who lives down the street from Buffett took him to task for taking too long to respond to an internal scandal (and she was applauded by many in the audience).  A Boston stockbroker was shaking with awe when asking a question of the Great One, and another woman raved about her successes with energy stock. Buffett told her she had done a better job than he had with energy, so he just talked about his thoughts on the economy for 20 minutes.   After the Q&A, there’s a very short annual meeting, and then it’s off to the next event.

Why did I feel compelled to go to Omaha? I have owned Berkshire since 1998, love listening to Warren Buffett and admire his business. I would see the annual meeting weekend on TV, and it just fascinated me. Buffett plays the banjo and puts on a bridge tournament, Wall Street veterans are on their best behavior, and his neighbors ask him very difficult questions about “their” investment.  The quirkiness of the whole thing intrigued me, and I wanted to experience it.  To anyone who asked, I answered “Neither Warren nor I am getting any younger; if I’m going to do it, now’s the time.”

But it was more than that. I don’t like the term “Bucket List;” it bores me. It sounds like checking a box instead of experiencing something wonderful and owning that experience. For me, this was a quest. I didn’t meet Warren Buffett in person but I did get a great seat in the main arena (thanks to my boot camp workouts).   I saw and heard some really interesting things—most of them not from Warren Buffett. I laughed a lot and shook my head a lot. I probably won’t go again, but I’m very glad I went this year.

I didn’t used to do this kind of thing, but last November I saw the final table of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas and got a chance to tour behind the scenes. It happened by accident; I didn’t plan it but it woke up something inside me, and now I am bursting with things I want to experience.  What’s next? Maybe going to the NFL draft in New York and cheering on my Bengals’ pick (hope springs eternal) and booing the Steelers (no explanation needed).  Maybe going to the Kentucky Derby but only if I can somehow get real seats. Maybe going to the Indianapolis 500 (with earplugs of course).  I want to sit in the Grandstand at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.  I want to see a Super Bowl in person. I want to walk the Appalachian Trail.

OK, those are my ideas.  What do you want to do, and how are you going to make sure it happens?  Or do you just let life happen?   What would you call your list besides the “bucket list?”

The fresh, new, focused look includes information on how potential vendors and suppliers can connect with Macy’s and rich content for prospective employees, including an overview of Macy’s involvement in communities across the country, information on sponsorships, and honors and recognition the company has received (there’s quite a bit!).

A new marketing library features current and past advertising images from diversity campaigns.  We’re excited about this great new resource and its great potential to help Macy’s realize its goals in diversity leadership!  Check it out at http://www.macysdiversityleadership.com.

That morning, everything was running smoothly until my skirt became caught in the dryer vent, I forgot my car key in my apartment, and on my way to my car, a van almost hit me. I thought to my superstitious self, “Is this an omen? Am I in for a bad day?” Fortunately, this wasn’t an omen boding bad news.  Sanger & Eby has been nothing but smooth from the beginning.

My first day consisted of getting a feel for the office and becoming familiar with everything I would be involved with.  Luckily, the previous intern left the most helpful notes to ensure an easy transition for the next intern; this immensely eased my transition. No time was wasted, after reading through notes and chatting with my boss, Kat, I was assigned two press releases.

Like a majority of college students, I’m trying to make the most of my education before graduation.  This being said, I wanted an internship that would give me real experience other than making coffee.  Kat put me right in the mix of projects. Important projects involving Macy’s Inc. and other big clients. Sanger & Eby treat their interns like full-time staff members by giving real responsibilities and projects.

Since my start and now going on eight weeks,  I have drafted press releases and distributed them to media outlets; I’ve done research for major projects, and worked on projects for Macy’s and other major clients; I have written post-mortems and I’ve attended meetings involving important clients.

In this economy, graduates don’t benefit from coursework alone but from experience too. Sanger & Eby was exactly what I needed to make the most of my education.  This is truly a brilliant place to be an intern at and I can’t convey any clearer how happy I am to be here.

In 2008, we received a call from a past colleague to help market a non-profit she was passionate about. As President of the Board of Directors for the United Coalition for Animals (UCAN), she recognized the organization’s need to form a relationship with a company that could help elevate the nonprofit to the next level and reached out to us to help.

The opportunity aligned itself perfectly with one of Sanger & Eby’s, and my own, core values: giving back. The Sanger & Eby and UCAN relationship started out very simple – providing pro-bono graphic design support for the organization. I was allowed ample time to create brochures, newsletters and other necessary print pieces that would be used to educate people about UCAN’s mission – ending pet overpopulation and animal euthanasia through responsible pet care and spay/neuter surgeries.

With each piece I created I continued my own education, quickly learning why an organization like UCAN is so necessary. To explain things in the simplest way possible, there are too many pets and too few homes. For every person born each day in the United States, seven kittens and puppies are born* – more than we could ever hope to find homes for. A decline in pet overpopulation will lead to a decline in animal abuse and neglect. It will lead to a decrease economic strain by decreasing the amount of tax dollars spent yearly to round up, care for or euthanize these animals. And it will help increase our abilities to properly care for our own pets and our area’s homeless animals. Pet overpopulation and the resulting euthanasia of these healthy animals will remain with us unless the cause is consistently addressed. Since 2001, UCAN has worked to address that problem through its nonprofit spay neuter clinic and pet health programs.

Over the last two and a half years, that simple relationship of a company lending its expertise to a great cause has grown into so much more. I currently serve on the Board of Directors and as a member of the Marketing and Fundraising committees. I have been able to give my time and talents to an incredibly important cause. I have grown through education and through the people I have had an opportunity to meet. My life has been shaped by my experience with UCAN and I am left with an imprint, a paw print, because I have been able to give back to my community through my career at Sanger & Eby.

*Facts from SpayUSA

We are thrilled to share our nomination with the other worthy finalists, and while we’re looking forward to finding out who won, we are truly honored to be nominated.

Shop for a Cause is Macy’s national charity shopping day to support national and local nonprofit organizations. And, since 2006, Shop for a Cause has helped non-profits raise more than $28 million for their ongoing charitable efforts.

As of August 1, things just got a whole lot easier with online registration for non-profits nationwide. Macy’s has partnered with Sanger & Eby to develop the site and robust application system. For the first time ever, non-profits can register their organizations for the October 17 fundraiser, select from a list of participating stores, and get email updates for and about the big day — all online. The site and backend database helps Macy’s streamline the entire registration and communication process, with tools to track ticket sales, validate charitable status, and manage specific store events.

We are proud of our continued relationship with a company whose culture, like ours, is deeply rooted in giving back. 

If you are involved with a non-profit group and want to see what a difference a day makes, sign up to get your group started.

Tony (left) just before taking out Jordan Farmar of the LA Lakers.

Today, members of the Cincinnati Poker Club became a littler richer. Tony McGlone, the member who represented the CPC at the 2009 World Series of Poker finished in 171st place, winning $36,626. Sanger & Eby has 4 CPC members and for the second year in a row, has sent a player who had out lasted over 6300 other players — many of them pros — to bring home cash. (Happily, we all share in the jackpot.)

Tony is not flashy, nor is he an in-your-face player with an attitude trying to intimidate the table. He doesn’t have to. Tony knows the game, knows himself and is a patient observer. Smart player. And, when he has to, stands up to aggressors who mistake kindness for weakness. Yep, they soon learn.

In poker, as in life, we really don’t need dog-and-pony shows to demonstrate our value… too often they are just an attempt to cover ineptitude. Business — good business — doesn’t have to be purposefully complicated or dressed up in fancy packaging. It’s too transparent. We are who we are and our strengths come through our authenticity, loud and clear.

Congratulations, Tony. Thanks for giving us all a taste of being there through the continuous Twitter updates and nightly email summaries. We’re glad we could come along for the ride.