I'm feeling a bit somber today.
Although we've accomplished a lot this session and although I feel like we've done a lot of good work, I can't help but feel like a Debbie Downer today. It could be that after today, I will be working only one job, but it's other things like the stress of planning the wedding, paying my friend back money that she loaned my fiancee to pay for his lawyer, and the uncertainty of whether or not the future is still as bright for me as it was a year ago.
I can't help but feel a little down because right now, I'm just feeling like I'm too young for all of this. This is the life I chose, I might as well deal with the consequences.
Sometimes, I just want people to step up to the plate. I want them to accept responsibility and stress out a little bit about life instead of me taking on too much. Why does it feel like I'm the only one really worried about how things will turn out?
All sadness aside, I have to say that this office has done a lot. We've managed to help save a lot of jobs and non-profit organizations and a few individuals along the way. I feel good about this session and about all of the hard work I put into the student events I planned.
I learned a lot about myself this session and that has definitely been good for me. I've learned to "go with the flow", how thankless a job in public service can be, and also above all, how to learn to keep my attitude in check. I'm still working on it, but we'll see how it goes.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Trying To Do The Best With What I Have
I'm feeling the budget crunch so what am I going to do to cut down on spending?
1) Stop eating out so much and eat at home. (I need to eat less anyway so I can lose weight.)
2) Stop shopping... I have enough clothes anyway.
3) Stop getting monthly pedicures... Though this is something I will truly miss, it is necessary because I can't afford to pay $25 every few weeks to get a pedicure. I just bought Sally Hansen's French set last night from Target for $5. Hopefully it will work out... Will post pics later. Although I'm cutting this habit out of my life, I refuse to stop getting my eyebrows waxed because that's just a necessary evil.
4) Convert to drug store products: I love make-up. I love Mac and Sephora, but those are two expensive stores and make-up is an expensive hobby. So I am on the look out for cheap, quality, comparable drug store products. I just signed up for http://www.makeupalley.com/ where there are all sorts of product reviews. Definitely a helpful site.
5) Instead of joining 24 hour fitness, which was my plan after session, I'm just going to work out at home. I have some weights at home that I can use and running on the side of the road is definitely free. Still kind of bummed about this, but that's alright, I can make due.
6) Stop going out/Limiting my alcohol intake. I'm going to stop going out on the weekends and stay home. It's so easy to blow $100 at a bar in an hour even if it took 4 hours of waiting on tables to earn it. I have to save money and I'll be working more so going out and getting drunk should not be on my agenda.
Those are my 6 ways of cutting costs. Hope I can do it. Any other suggestions?
1) Stop eating out so much and eat at home. (I need to eat less anyway so I can lose weight.)
2) Stop shopping... I have enough clothes anyway.
3) Stop getting monthly pedicures... Though this is something I will truly miss, it is necessary because I can't afford to pay $25 every few weeks to get a pedicure. I just bought Sally Hansen's French set last night from Target for $5. Hopefully it will work out... Will post pics later. Although I'm cutting this habit out of my life, I refuse to stop getting my eyebrows waxed because that's just a necessary evil.
4) Convert to drug store products: I love make-up. I love Mac and Sephora, but those are two expensive stores and make-up is an expensive hobby. So I am on the look out for cheap, quality, comparable drug store products. I just signed up for http://www.makeupalley.com/ where there are all sorts of product reviews. Definitely a helpful site.
5) Instead of joining 24 hour fitness, which was my plan after session, I'm just going to work out at home. I have some weights at home that I can use and running on the side of the road is definitely free. Still kind of bummed about this, but that's alright, I can make due.
6) Stop going out/Limiting my alcohol intake. I'm going to stop going out on the weekends and stay home. It's so easy to blow $100 at a bar in an hour even if it took 4 hours of waiting on tables to earn it. I have to save money and I'll be working more so going out and getting drunk should not be on my agenda.
Those are my 6 ways of cutting costs. Hope I can do it. Any other suggestions?
Monday, April 26, 2010
A Small Thank You Goes a Long Way
Session is ending soon, and as I look back on all of the hard work and long hours I realize that a small thank you really does go a long way.
A few months ago, I organized an event for a Boy Scout Troop to come to the capitol for a tour, a mock hearing, and lunch. The event went smoothly except for one glitch that was resolved and and quickly forgotten. I had given the tour because it was a bit last minute and the regular person who normally does the tours wasn't available.
Today, my office received a stack of thank you letters from the troop thanking my boss and I for the awesome experience they had. My contact with the group sent me a thank you card and said that the tour I gave had a "lasting impression" on the scouts of the troop.
This gesture really meant a lot to me because often times, work in public service is a thankless job. Luckily, this was one of those instances when our office did indeed receive a thank you.
It's times like these that make me realize that a career in public service really is for me.
A few months ago, I organized an event for a Boy Scout Troop to come to the capitol for a tour, a mock hearing, and lunch. The event went smoothly except for one glitch that was resolved and and quickly forgotten. I had given the tour because it was a bit last minute and the regular person who normally does the tours wasn't available.
Today, my office received a stack of thank you letters from the troop thanking my boss and I for the awesome experience they had. My contact with the group sent me a thank you card and said that the tour I gave had a "lasting impression" on the scouts of the troop.
This gesture really meant a lot to me because often times, work in public service is a thankless job. Luckily, this was one of those instances when our office did indeed receive a thank you.
It's times like these that make me realize that a career in public service really is for me.
Friday, April 23, 2010
On A Budget
After next Thursday, I will no longer be working two jobs... I'll just be down to one.
That means, a day off, more time with my dogs, and more time at home. It also means... I'll be on a budget.
A few days ago, I went a little nuts trying to figure out how I'm going to survive on my limited income. I made a personal finances binder with a monthly budget of $1600 a month. That means I'll have to work 4 shifts at the restaurant I work at and make $100 each shift. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for working more at this job. So far, I love it... but I'm scared that when I NEED this job, I'll start to hate it because I'll be putting additional pressure on myself and it will no longer be enjoyable.
It also puts additional stress on me because I have to be planning my wedding and there are all of these unnecessary expenses that need to be taken care of before this stupid wedding gets off the ground. A few days ago, I was ready to throw in the towel, but I realized after focusing on solutions, (not problems) that no matter what, this wedding needs to happen in October. The next few months will be stressful for me... I just hope I can keep up with myself and all of the things that life is throwing at me.
That means, a day off, more time with my dogs, and more time at home. It also means... I'll be on a budget.
A few days ago, I went a little nuts trying to figure out how I'm going to survive on my limited income. I made a personal finances binder with a monthly budget of $1600 a month. That means I'll have to work 4 shifts at the restaurant I work at and make $100 each shift. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for working more at this job. So far, I love it... but I'm scared that when I NEED this job, I'll start to hate it because I'll be putting additional pressure on myself and it will no longer be enjoyable.
It also puts additional stress on me because I have to be planning my wedding and there are all of these unnecessary expenses that need to be taken care of before this stupid wedding gets off the ground. A few days ago, I was ready to throw in the towel, but I realized after focusing on solutions, (not problems) that no matter what, this wedding needs to happen in October. The next few months will be stressful for me... I just hope I can keep up with myself and all of the things that life is throwing at me.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Hawaii Rents Skyrocket
It's impossible to live on your own in Hawaii!!!
With the average wage in Hawaii only about $12/hour, it's impossible to get a decent rental unit unless you get paid more than double that much!
Hello
So I decided to start a blog about the random musings about my life. I don't really know or care if anyone reads this, but if they do... then good for them.
This blog will consist of make-up tips, political musings, current events, and other random things. So keep reading and subscribe! I'm just getting started so the entries will be haphazard at best.
Thanks!
This blog will consist of make-up tips, political musings, current events, and other random things. So keep reading and subscribe! I'm just getting started so the entries will be haphazard at best.
Thanks!
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