I'm jumping on the band wagon I suppose, putting what I'm thankful for in writing for 30 days. While I'm not TOO keen on the idea (because we should be doing this anyway), I'm on board. These will be brief because I'm sure I've blogged about most of them before. Please note-I wrote these out daily, not just in a big swoop so there was a daily reflection regarding each and every one.
11-1: I am thankful for a supportive professor (Dr. Aday) who has helped me so much in my grad. school path.
11-2: I am thankful that my thesis is FINALLY done and its process is over.
11-3: I am thankful for getting to wake up everyday with Der by my side AND having this Saturday morning to drink coffee and watch movies.
11-4: I am thankful for two great people (Mairi and Kriss) who lent us their vacuum and steam cleaner. Not only does our carpet look a HELL of a lot better but this will also help my allergies!
11-5: I am thankful for Diet Dr. Pepper that has kept me up when I want to fall asleep.
11-6: I am thankful I was able to vote! It was my first time and I found it kind of special to see everyone come together for the day to make their voices heard.
11-7: I am thankful for a library card. Since my funds are low and I won't get to see my family until December, I went to the library and was able to check out some pretty awesome books to read in November. SCORE!
11-8: I am thankful for seeing some theater. I've been missing out lately and it was so nice to see a show again!
11-9: I am thankful for having a job interview (finally) AND I am thankful for a nice date with my husband.
11-10: I am thankful for being able to watch my awesome nephews-by-non-blood, Andrew and Dylan.
11-11: I am thankful for the military persons who have served, continue to serve, want to serve to help protect the U.S.
11-12: I am thankful for being literate. With my (obsessive) adoration for books and learning, I am SO thankful I had parents and teachers who taught me how to read!
11-13: I am thankful for Mexican lunch with a friend (Kadi).
11-14: I am thankful for crafting with a good friend (Amanda), making gifts for Christmas.
11-15: I am thankful for having time to relax when I wasn't feeling so great.
11-16: I am thankful for having a working and reliable car. It is quite a good one!
11-17: I am thankful for a having two hands, both of which work properly.
11-18: I am thankful for a spouse who works while I am still searching for a job.
11-19: I am thankful for hopes of a future job.
11-20: I am thankful for a successful interview AND an awesome class with some awesome folks.
11-21: I am thankful that my family loves and cares for my spouse like he is their own.
11-22: I am thankful for food in my belly and the funds to be able to provide that food.
11-23: I am thankful for the home we have. It's so nice to have a place to call home.
11-24: I am thankful for old musicals that make me tap my feet and cry from sweet lyrics.
11-25: I am thankful that it seems I just have sinus drainage instead of strep throat!
11-26: I am thankful, despite the bad headache I've had, for a good day.
11-27: I am thankful for a humbling class, where we discussed tough topics like female genital mutilation, feticide, and such. I am thankful that I have not had to go through (by force or by choice) this type of thing.
11-28: I am thankful for the one hour of glorious massage, where the stress of not having a job and ending my grad. school career was worked out of my body.
11-29: I am thankful for time to reflect.
11-30: I am thankful that my mom and sister are coming up tomorrow to visit and Christmas shop! I miss them both so much and can't wait!
So there ya go. 30 days of things I am thankful for. Remember to reflect on what you're thankful for every day and maybe write them down once and a while!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
My NEW Routine
Since I've lost my job, my daily routine has been a bit different.
Normally, when I had a job and a much busier school schedule, Saturdays were reserved for my main relaxation and cleaning...
But now that I have no job and my school schedule is drastically lighter, here's what I find my routine turning to:
1-Wake up, start coffee.
2-Feed dog, take dog out.
3-LOOK FOR/APPLY TO JOBS.
4-Check news, social media, blogs, etc.
5-Read.
6-Repeat. EVERY. DAY.
(granted some days vary when I have my GA work to do but even still...it's not dramatic)
How D-U-L-L. Well-maybe not for some-but it is to me. I'm starting the 12th week of being unemployed and I am going crazy! When this first happened my mom suggested: "Why don't you work on the projects you normally wouldn't have time to? Re-organize your closet, clean out the kitchen, etc." Sounds good, right? Well I did that...weeks ago! I live in an apartment so there's only so much cleaning, reorganizing, etc. I can DO. The place is clean, organized, ready to be decorated for Christmas. Now what?
Read. I have done a TON of reading (which I truly don't mind) but I start to feel guilty when that's all I do.
Volunteer you suggest? Here's the issue: I don't want to set a volunteer schedule with some place only to get a job and then have to bail...would it kill my time and help others? Absolutely...but it would also be very rude of me to start and then leave so I'm holding out until the beginning of the year.
I'm not my best when I'm not busy. I know it may seem strange but my mood, energy, productivity, and overall outlook are so much better when I am slightly overwhelmed. Having only a job and no graduate school will already be a big change since I've been doing it for 2 years but to have neither? WHOA NOW, SLOW DOWN!
*sigh* I just want a job. I want to feel purpose and motivation again. I like working. Even if I won $10,475,027,175 I still would do something with my time...probably travel and volunteer! But until that happens...I'd just like a job. I am looking into areas both in and outside of my field and my scope of practice. I am being reasonable (actually undercutting) in what I'm asking for salary-wise and commuting.
Sorry if this blog seems whiney and down. I just didn't anticipate this going on this long. Maybe if I can get something by the start of the year that'd be great.
Cross fingers and toes, eh?
Normally, when I had a job and a much busier school schedule, Saturdays were reserved for my main relaxation and cleaning...
But now that I have no job and my school schedule is drastically lighter, here's what I find my routine turning to:
1-Wake up, start coffee.
2-Feed dog, take dog out.
3-LOOK FOR/APPLY TO JOBS.
4-Check news, social media, blogs, etc.
5-Read.
6-Repeat. EVERY. DAY.
(granted some days vary when I have my GA work to do but even still...it's not dramatic)
How D-U-L-L. Well-maybe not for some-but it is to me. I'm starting the 12th week of being unemployed and I am going crazy! When this first happened my mom suggested: "Why don't you work on the projects you normally wouldn't have time to? Re-organize your closet, clean out the kitchen, etc." Sounds good, right? Well I did that...weeks ago! I live in an apartment so there's only so much cleaning, reorganizing, etc. I can DO. The place is clean, organized, ready to be decorated for Christmas. Now what?
Read. I have done a TON of reading (which I truly don't mind) but I start to feel guilty when that's all I do.
Volunteer you suggest? Here's the issue: I don't want to set a volunteer schedule with some place only to get a job and then have to bail...would it kill my time and help others? Absolutely...but it would also be very rude of me to start and then leave so I'm holding out until the beginning of the year.
I'm not my best when I'm not busy. I know it may seem strange but my mood, energy, productivity, and overall outlook are so much better when I am slightly overwhelmed. Having only a job and no graduate school will already be a big change since I've been doing it for 2 years but to have neither? WHOA NOW, SLOW DOWN!
*sigh* I just want a job. I want to feel purpose and motivation again. I like working. Even if I won $10,475,027,175 I still would do something with my time...probably travel and volunteer! But until that happens...I'd just like a job. I am looking into areas both in and outside of my field and my scope of practice. I am being reasonable (actually undercutting) in what I'm asking for salary-wise and commuting.
Sorry if this blog seems whiney and down. I just didn't anticipate this going on this long. Maybe if I can get something by the start of the year that'd be great.
Cross fingers and toes, eh?
Thursday, November 1, 2012
My Meatless Month
Well well...it's finally done. I went an entire month without eating ANY meat!
I've had a lot of questions regarding this decision...let me explain the biggest one.
WHY do this?
1.Well the main reason is that I'm coming more into animal rights and realize it's pretty hypocritical to fight for treatment only to nom nom on them afterwards.
2. I wanted to see if I could do it.
3. I wanted to see what it's all about (besides the animal treatment).
So...I did it! It was an interesting experience. I learned a lot!
PROS:
1. Less fast food and restaurant options for the places we normally go to.
2. (And because of #1) I realized how really limited those places are for vegetarians and vegans.
3. I wasn't eating meat and attempting to make a difference in animal treatment!
4. I had a lot of protein via beans and greens instead of meat.
5. My body didn't react badly.
6. (I think) some weight or inches were lost!
7. I learned about some substitutions for meat and other animal related foods (for example: you can replace eggs with applesauce for baked goods and there's NO taste difference)
8. I realized how much I (and many others) do not think about vegetarian and vegan options when making food for parties or special occasions. I really need to be cognoscente of that!
CONS:
1. I found it really inconvenient. (I know that sounds snotty but I'm being honest and realistic.) Since there weren't really many options at fast food/restaurant locals (see PRO #1 and #2 above) and D and I are pretty busy...it was some times tough to figure out what to eat. I had a lot of fruit smoothies and grilled cheeses, lol.
2. I did not research enough recipes. This was my fault.
3. I don't like (or haven't tried) enough veggies for this to be a full time option as of yet.
4. As Der was not going meatless for the month, financially and realistically I didn't really know how to plan our meals together when we actually were able to sit down. Lucky for me-D was quick and when we could have meals together, he split a pizza without meat or assisted in helping me find something ;)
Overall I enjoyed it and plan on doing it again (further exploring other veggie options and researching more recipes), especially while I'm learning more about it (vegetarian history, movements, animal rights, etc.)
If you get the chance-DO IT! Try it out, see what it's like from the other side and hell-maybe you'll keep it up!
I've had a lot of questions regarding this decision...let me explain the biggest one.
WHY do this?
1.Well the main reason is that I'm coming more into animal rights and realize it's pretty hypocritical to fight for treatment only to nom nom on them afterwards.
2. I wanted to see if I could do it.
3. I wanted to see what it's all about (besides the animal treatment).
So...I did it! It was an interesting experience. I learned a lot!
PROS:
1. Less fast food and restaurant options for the places we normally go to.
2. (And because of #1) I realized how really limited those places are for vegetarians and vegans.
3. I wasn't eating meat and attempting to make a difference in animal treatment!
4. I had a lot of protein via beans and greens instead of meat.
5. My body didn't react badly.
6. (I think) some weight or inches were lost!
7. I learned about some substitutions for meat and other animal related foods (for example: you can replace eggs with applesauce for baked goods and there's NO taste difference)
8. I realized how much I (and many others) do not think about vegetarian and vegan options when making food for parties or special occasions. I really need to be cognoscente of that!
CONS:
1. I found it really inconvenient. (I know that sounds snotty but I'm being honest and realistic.) Since there weren't really many options at fast food/restaurant locals (see PRO #1 and #2 above) and D and I are pretty busy...it was some times tough to figure out what to eat. I had a lot of fruit smoothies and grilled cheeses, lol.
2. I did not research enough recipes. This was my fault.
3. I don't like (or haven't tried) enough veggies for this to be a full time option as of yet.
4. As Der was not going meatless for the month, financially and realistically I didn't really know how to plan our meals together when we actually were able to sit down. Lucky for me-D was quick and when we could have meals together, he split a pizza without meat or assisted in helping me find something ;)
Overall I enjoyed it and plan on doing it again (further exploring other veggie options and researching more recipes), especially while I'm learning more about it (vegetarian history, movements, animal rights, etc.)
If you get the chance-DO IT! Try it out, see what it's like from the other side and hell-maybe you'll keep it up!
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