My horoscope recommended that it would be beneficial for me to take some time to reflect on 2012 before I get too anxious for the start of 2013. I think I took some good steps forward, but also wish I would have done some things differently.
I have noticed a shift in my priorities. I have always been extremely career focused and driven, sometimes to the point where I have neglected the precious relationships that I have. My friends and family have been extremely understanding, supportive, and resilient. In 2013 I would like to pay more attention to these relationships. I have always been quick to make friends, but venturing out on my own helped me to realize the quality of the friendships that I already had and how much I have taken them for granted. I have surrounded myself with strong, smart, self-respecting women who are hard to find and I miss my support system. While I know they are always there for me, I wish I could be there more for them as they are embarking on their own exciting careers, families, and adventures.
This past year was the first time I was truly concerned about aging and taking care of my hair and skin. For years I have been able to get away with using cheap shampoos and conditioners and heat styling my hair without any visible consequences. But I started noticing the damage to my hair and that it lacked the healthy shine and thickness it used to have. I also have found a handful of grey hairs, yikes! My skin too has been problematic, as I should be well out of my acne years yet it seems that I still deal with plenty of blemishes and haven't been religious with my skin care regime. I have implemented the cleanse, exfoliate, tone, moisturize method and I hope to become more disciplined about using it every night. Also I need to floss more often, the goal is every night but usually ends up being only once per week. In 2013 I will take better care of myself and get serious about slowing the effects of aging on my appearance. Getting older is inevitable, looking like it is preventable and easier than reversing.
2013 is going to be an exciting year for me, with lots of new challenges on the horizon. I am returning to Eugene in January to live with my grandma while I finish school and I am thankful to have the opportunity to spend some extra time with her. I will graduate with my MBA in March and hopefully have a job and be relocated to be living with DJ again in April. Throughout 2013 I hope to take a little more time to reflect, to be grateful, and to express my gratitude to the people in my life that help keep me motivated and moving forward.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Moving Lessons
Since I was 17 I have not lived in the same place for more than 12 months (usually less), which means a lot of moving over the last decade! I have learned a few things and thought I would share some of my best moving tips.
- Hangers: leave em, they are more of a pain to pack and the extra $10-$20 it will cost you to buy a new set when you get to your new place is totally worth avoiding the hassle
- Laundry: as you clean your place you'll find all kinds of things to wash, save em til the very end, otherwise you'll end up doing several loads of 1-2 items as you find more socks, towels, sheets etc
-Boxes: I was always very fortunate to have connections to get big empty tshirt boxes, and I would definetley recommend finding someone with a connection and getting more than you think you need, they fill up fast. Also since the boxes will probably be flattened I would highly recommend investing in a packing tape dispenser (I don't know if that's the proper term...) I get mine from Target and will pick up an extra roll of tape, the last thing you want is to be in the zone, sitting on your floor amongst a fortress of boxes, rocking to Mariah Carey and realize you have to get up, somehow get out of the room you are in, find shoes, find a hat, find your keys (these things easily get misplaced amongst the packing flurry) and go out in public to buy more tape.
- Bags: we all have at least a few large totes, duffles, or gym bags lying around, use them! even if it's just to tote paperwork, shower supplies, coffee cups or whatever else randomness you are bound to forget to pack in boxes
- Clothes: great opportunity to clean out old stuff that forgot you had and get rid of it, or even better, start wearing it again! Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to sort through your clothes and try old things on, no sense keeping things that are worn out or don't fit anymore.
- Dishes: take up WAAAAY more space than you would imagine, if you have newspaper I would recommend wrapping everything before boxing it up, I happen to have a lot of extra brown paper bags from the grocery store so I just rip that up into pieces big enough to wrap my glasses and dishes. Paper towels will work too, but really that's kind of a waste and expensive compared to other options considering you're just going to throw it away when you un-pack
- Cleaning: the prospect of having to clean the whole house before moving out can be rather daunting, I recommend cleaning each room as you empty it in order to spread out the task rather than wait til everything at the last minute.
Most importantly, if you are moving furniture or any other big items you should definitely recruit some helpers. I find most guys are usually willing to assist with the promise of a meal or beer at the end, a small price to pay. Not saying I can't do it on my own (cause I have) but guys like to show off their strength and will tend to do more than they probably should, which is good because everything will get done quicker than if you were to attempt to do it on your own. And 2+ sets of hands are always better than one.
For me, I'm preparing to go back to Eugene until March to finish my MBA. Which adds another challenge to moving that I've only had to tackle a couple times; long-distance moves on a budget. I'm going to be flying with as many bags as I can, after that I'm not quite sure what the best option is, stay tuned!
- Hangers: leave em, they are more of a pain to pack and the extra $10-$20 it will cost you to buy a new set when you get to your new place is totally worth avoiding the hassle
- Laundry: as you clean your place you'll find all kinds of things to wash, save em til the very end, otherwise you'll end up doing several loads of 1-2 items as you find more socks, towels, sheets etc
-Boxes: I was always very fortunate to have connections to get big empty tshirt boxes, and I would definetley recommend finding someone with a connection and getting more than you think you need, they fill up fast. Also since the boxes will probably be flattened I would highly recommend investing in a packing tape dispenser (I don't know if that's the proper term...) I get mine from Target and will pick up an extra roll of tape, the last thing you want is to be in the zone, sitting on your floor amongst a fortress of boxes, rocking to Mariah Carey and realize you have to get up, somehow get out of the room you are in, find shoes, find a hat, find your keys (these things easily get misplaced amongst the packing flurry) and go out in public to buy more tape.
- Bags: we all have at least a few large totes, duffles, or gym bags lying around, use them! even if it's just to tote paperwork, shower supplies, coffee cups or whatever else randomness you are bound to forget to pack in boxes
- Clothes: great opportunity to clean out old stuff that forgot you had and get rid of it, or even better, start wearing it again! Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to sort through your clothes and try old things on, no sense keeping things that are worn out or don't fit anymore.
- Dishes: take up WAAAAY more space than you would imagine, if you have newspaper I would recommend wrapping everything before boxing it up, I happen to have a lot of extra brown paper bags from the grocery store so I just rip that up into pieces big enough to wrap my glasses and dishes. Paper towels will work too, but really that's kind of a waste and expensive compared to other options considering you're just going to throw it away when you un-pack
- Cleaning: the prospect of having to clean the whole house before moving out can be rather daunting, I recommend cleaning each room as you empty it in order to spread out the task rather than wait til everything at the last minute.
Most importantly, if you are moving furniture or any other big items you should definitely recruit some helpers. I find most guys are usually willing to assist with the promise of a meal or beer at the end, a small price to pay. Not saying I can't do it on my own (cause I have) but guys like to show off their strength and will tend to do more than they probably should, which is good because everything will get done quicker than if you were to attempt to do it on your own. And 2+ sets of hands are always better than one.
For me, I'm preparing to go back to Eugene until March to finish my MBA. Which adds another challenge to moving that I've only had to tackle a couple times; long-distance moves on a budget. I'm going to be flying with as many bags as I can, after that I'm not quite sure what the best option is, stay tuned!
Friday, December 28, 2012
Humana Insurance SUCKS
Been with Humana for only 2.5 months and have had nothing but problems. I thought I was doing the right thing getting short-term insurance coverage to get me through the end of my internship/school, but turns out they won't cover my preventative asthma medication (but they will cover my visit to the dr when I have an asthma attack, go figure) and they won't reimburse me for a prescription I purchased and picked up while I was covered, before I received my card, because I called it in 3 days before my coverage started. I know I'm not a big account, but I do give them $120 per month and I'm just not sure why when I'm having so many issues with prescription coverage. Once I get my 1 free annual visit out of the way I am canceling, might a well get something for the hundreds I have sank into this poor investment. America needs health reform so bad, when someone like me who has a preventative condition and is attending graduate school can't get affordable, reliable coverage for my minimal health expenses then that is just wrong. The UO health center wants me to pay $950 for 3 months of coverage! That's insane on a student budget! Maybe I'm just living on too tight of a budget to get what I need right now, but I am just so disappointed in the service I have received and the premiums I have found for minimal coverage. Fingers crossed that I am able to find a job with benefits in April after I graduate cause trying to do the right thing and purchase individual coverage is a drain on my small budget.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
There's always room for a couple of beers with a friend
Got this from a friends' post on Facebook, a good reminder to all of us struggling to prioritize our time:
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’
The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..
‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things—-your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—-and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else—-the small stuff.
‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.
Take care of the golf balls first—-the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’ The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’
The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..
‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things—-your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—-and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else—-the small stuff.
‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.
Take care of the golf balls first—-the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’ The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
With great risk comes great rewards. Right?
I have to say that I'm usually very good about following this advice, but lately not so much. I tend to be pretty risk adverse when it comes to life decisions and my career. But I also know that great reward often involves taking great risks. I took a big risk moving to Florida to work with Disney and I thought if I worked hard enough that maybe the universe would throw me a bone and help me reach my goals. I don't want to speculate about the future, and I certainly don't have regrets about any decisions I made in the past, but I can't help but be frustrated with my current situation.
One of my favorite sayings that keep me motivated day in and day out is "success is what happens when hard work and determination meet a little bit of luck" and I must say I've been a pretty lucky girl thus far. But maybe my luck has run out. Cause the hard work and determination are still there but I'm struggling to see any movement, any help from the 'luck' to help me be successful.
And so I push on... cause what else is there to do?
Monday, December 17, 2012
You know that feeling?
2 days before I'm supposed to fly home for Christmas an I'm starting to feel ill. Its that tickle in the back of your throat, the difficulty swallowing, mild fever, congested, tired kind of feeling. All the tell tale signs that you've been burning the candle at both ends and now your body is saying "enough"! Maybe it's that I can sense the chilly, wet Oregon air already. Gonna be drinking water, tea, and airborne nonstop for the next 48 hours. I won't let my immune system ruin this trip for me!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Google Wednesday
So we play this game in the office called Google Wednesday, where a question is posed and we have 1 week to give our best guess for the answer. Ironically, there is no googling, or researching of any type, allowed. I love this game because it challenges you to use logic and make an educated guess as to the answer. This week, I was fortunate enough to win! It was my second time winning, but I am still so excited! My coworker Emily is the moderator of this game and she surprised me this morning with the trophy. She played it off like she needed me to help her award the winner, I looked up and she goes 'surprise it's you!' and took a picture (not the most flattering lol). For the rest of the week I will be displaying my Mickey trophy and sign with pride. Now it's my turn to think up a question...
Monday, December 10, 2012
Eeekkk
This was behind my car yesterday! I was told that its not poisonous because it doesn't have a black head... But still! Yikes!
Saturday, December 01, 2012
Los Angeles: Part 2
OK so it only took me a month to finish this post, whoops! But I wanted to share the rest of my trip to LA after the big Oregon win over USC. After getting a good nights rest, DJ and I went for a little adventure run/hike on a nearby hill. The sun was shining, there was a nice breeze, and the view was gorgeous! We jogged up the hill where we took some photos (posted below) and then raced back down where we did some strength training.
I was again treated to tasty breakfast (and again I helped with the mimosas!), then we got ready and got on the road headed to visit our good friends Jess and Braden at the beach. I hadn't seen the newlyweds since their wedding in July, and we always used to go out together when we all lived in Portland, so I was very much looking forward to this visit! The Bangays live near Pismo Beach and took us to their favorite restaurant on the beach in nearby Avila Beach. We stopped into an open air bar with a live reggae band next door to the restaurant. The atmosphere was so sunny, beachy, and fun! I definitely felt like I was on vacation. We sat down for dinner and it was delicious! Fresh seafood yummm. Jess and I decided to go for the 'big girl' drinks while the guys stayed with beer. We talked and drank til the sun went down; and then we went and ran around on the beach barefoot. It had been months since I had that much fun!
We stayed the night with the Bangays and then got on the road first things in the morning to go back to LA. I had meet & greets scheduled with different people within Disney in Burbank and Anaheim. One of my previous boss's from when I worked for Radio Disney was generous enough to offer to set up several meetings for me with her co-workers. What an awesome opportunity it was to get to pick these professionals brains and learn more about their role with the company. I spent the rest of the day in and out of meetings that I am hoping will pay off when it comes time to apply for a full-time job. Right now I'm just keeping an eye on the job boards and building my network.
I got nervous about traffic and getting to the airport on time so I decided to go straight there instead of heading back out to visit DJ. Super bummed I didn't get to spend more time with him, it felt like the weekend went so fast and I was very early to get to to the airport. I could have totally made it to Moorpark and back and still been on time, but hindsight is always 20-20 and there will be other opportunities to spend time together. I'm very much looking forward to Christmas-time :) I took a red-eye to Orlando where I slept the whole time; even through take-off and landing! Who does that?! guess I was tired... Got home just in time to take a shower and then it was off to work.
I was again treated to tasty breakfast (and again I helped with the mimosas!), then we got ready and got on the road headed to visit our good friends Jess and Braden at the beach. I hadn't seen the newlyweds since their wedding in July, and we always used to go out together when we all lived in Portland, so I was very much looking forward to this visit! The Bangays live near Pismo Beach and took us to their favorite restaurant on the beach in nearby Avila Beach. We stopped into an open air bar with a live reggae band next door to the restaurant. The atmosphere was so sunny, beachy, and fun! I definitely felt like I was on vacation. We sat down for dinner and it was delicious! Fresh seafood yummm. Jess and I decided to go for the 'big girl' drinks while the guys stayed with beer. We talked and drank til the sun went down; and then we went and ran around on the beach barefoot. It had been months since I had that much fun!
We stayed the night with the Bangays and then got on the road first things in the morning to go back to LA. I had meet & greets scheduled with different people within Disney in Burbank and Anaheim. One of my previous boss's from when I worked for Radio Disney was generous enough to offer to set up several meetings for me with her co-workers. What an awesome opportunity it was to get to pick these professionals brains and learn more about their role with the company. I spent the rest of the day in and out of meetings that I am hoping will pay off when it comes time to apply for a full-time job. Right now I'm just keeping an eye on the job boards and building my network.
I got nervous about traffic and getting to the airport on time so I decided to go straight there instead of heading back out to visit DJ. Super bummed I didn't get to spend more time with him, it felt like the weekend went so fast and I was very early to get to to the airport. I could have totally made it to Moorpark and back and still been on time, but hindsight is always 20-20 and there will be other opportunities to spend time together. I'm very much looking forward to Christmas-time :) I took a red-eye to Orlando where I slept the whole time; even through take-off and landing! Who does that?! guess I was tired... Got home just in time to take a shower and then it was off to work.
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| The couple that sweats together stays together! |
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| Don't fall into the cacti! |
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| Cacti poke, ouch! |
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| Feeling on top of the world! |
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| Two thumbs up for the California sunshine |
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| On our jog/hike workout adventure |
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| Gorgeous view, can't beat that sunshine (even if it does cause glare) |
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| With Mrs.Bangay at Avila Beach |
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| Christina and Jess enjoying live music on the beach |
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| Stepping up our game with Don Julio and Absolut |
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| The boys running around on the beach after dinner |
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| Ready to go sweat it off and repping the Pac12 |
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