What I Did on MLK Day

Since one of my clients is a bank, I figured I’d take the day off, too. And no, I didn’t “march” even though my boss asked me if that was the reason I was taking the day off. Instead, I used it to be semi-productive around the house.

So what did I do?

1. Hung candle holders we got for our wedding over 2 years ago..!

I guess “life” got in the way. And every time I had intentions of hanging up the candles, I didn’t do it. Ok, so I’ve been lazy. But I finally just did it. Whoopee!

New ones (left)

Another View

Wedding photos & candle holders.

Candles on the fireplace

Candles in the foyer

2. Put out the Homedics “brethe™ Air Revitalizer”.

This was a Christmas gift to us from my father-in-law. I like the pretty color, but the “citrus” scent almost smells like a gas station bathroom. :P We have a lime and a vanilla scent left to try. I hope they smell better.

3. Broke out the “Mr. Beer” and began my first microbrew.

We received it as a Christmas gift from my husband’s sister’s family. The beer that came in the kit was a “Pale Ale”. We have to let it sit for at least 1 - 2 weeks. Then we bottle and it has to sit another 1 - 2 weeks. So hopefully in a month, we’ll have some tasty microbrew! :)

I also did laundry and dishes, but... that’s not photo-worthy! But it does go along with my 2010 “get organized” goal.

So, that’s about it. I had a doctor’s appointment this morning, but that is a whole different post! Needless to say, it was hard to come back to work this afternoon. And tomorrow it’s back to the norm. Boo!

2010 Resolutions

I had a pretty low key New Years. My hubsie was cranky from all the Cedar in the air, so we stayed in, despite the fact we were invited to go to a New Years Eve party. We watched the ball drop and Skyped my mom and dad and faux *toasted* our glasses online. Kinda cheesy, but, its how we roll. I fell asleep quickly after that.

I'm not even sure if I had much of a "Resolution" list last year. But this year I'd like to post one and keep revisiting it to chart my progress.

WIthout further ado:

1. The obligatory, "I want to lose some weight." Who doesn't? But, I think I want to put it into the "consistent workout" goal and "lose 10 pound" milestone perspectives. Anyone can say, "I want to lose 35 pounds" but it seems too cumbersome. Saying, "10 pounds" sounds easier and more obtainable, and God knows I'm lazy. And I just need to make sure I workout for 21 days straight. It takes 21 days to form a habit!!

2. I want to blog more. I have 2 blogs (personal and HR related) and usually by the time I get home, I'm wiped out. Plus, my BPO job doesn't exactly *inspire* me to write about HR. But I just have to think of topics and find the discipline to write on them.

3. Find a new job. I've been working in BPO (business process outsourcing) for over 3 years and I'm beginning to hate it. I haven't learned anything new in months. I obtained my MBA w/HR Management concentration in July of '09. I spent more money on my MBA than I earn in a year, so no ROI there. I only hope the economy cooperates.

4. Run a 5K. I'm getting better at running solid miles without stopping. I'd like to run a 5K and run it under 40 mins.

5. Become better at saving money. Currently, I'll build up a stash and then blow it on something, like paying a bill. I want to consistently save. My ultimate goal (whether or not I accomplish it in a year or not) is to pay off all our debt and then live off my husband's paycheck and save my entire paycheck.

6. Get more organized. I feel like when my house is clean, other parts of my life are a mess (errands like groceries haven't been shopped for or laundry is all over the place) and when we're fully stocked and clothes are clean, the rest of the house is a complete disaster.

7. Take another *real* vacation. All our "vacations" lately have consisted of long weekends to Lubbock. While its nice to get away and visit family, it's not a true "vacation." We want to take another cruise. I hope to book one soon to either Alaska or the Eastern Caribbean.

8. Read more. I have all these books by my bed and its like, I read for 5 minutes and pass out. I need to make time to read them all!

Well, that's about it. I should chart my progress monthly. And perhaps keeping up with the list will force me to keep up with goal #2.

I hope 2010 is the best yet. I need a really great year!

Earbuds

Most people can wear their headphones at work, but I cannot. It's a bullshit rule why we can't, but it's related to data privacy. Anyway, I would really love to listen to something rather than listen to my coworkers blab, loudly, about anything and everything.

So I've been searching online to see if someone makes wireless earbuds for the iPod. The good news is that Sennheiser does make one.



The bad news is that it's $400! :(

If you're interested in them, here ya go --> http://bit.ly/tmmXh

Now, on top of everything else, I'll have to start a "Earbud" fund. Not good, when I'm dying for a break from my coworker's noise.

My Anniversary!

So I have 9 days until my anniversary - 10/20!! I can't believe a year has passed so quickly! Last year at this time I was getting super antsy. " Just get it over, already" was all I was thinking. One of the girls I worked with had just gotten on the team (at work) and she told me all the stuff to expect. She wasn't a newlywed, but only been married about 3 years. She and her husband also went on a cruise for the honeymoon and she was like, "You're not going to sleep until you get on the boat!" When we got back I told her how right she was.

One thing that I wish I could do this year was go on another cruise. God, that was so much fun!! Since I've been to the Western Caribbean, now I want to go to the Eastern Caribbean. I think all those cruises leave out of Florida, though. Maybe me and Aloe-Ha can plan a vacation on one! Haha... though, we always make plans like, "Next year, we are SO going to Canada!" Or "Next summer, we are so going to Europe!" And, it has yet to happen. Slackers is what we are.

Well let's see what's happened this past year (that I can remember are some "milestones"):

• We both started school up again. I'm in grad school and Scott's finishing up his BFA.


• Scott bought a new car.


• Scott's step-dad passed away.


• Scott turned 31, I turned 29.


• We bought a house, even in this crappy ass economy.


• I sold my Firebird... :( :( :(


• We sold the truck.


• And I keep packing on pounds and he's the same weight. No fair! :P

Ok, so the weight thing isn't a "milestone" but I need to seriously do something about it. I really hate the way I look these days. Someone help hold me accountable! I don't want to be a chubs at Christmas.

Well for reminiscing purposes, here is the Shutterfly album I put up of our honeymoon photos.

Well, that's about it. Have a great Saturday!

Insomnia

Something is in the air and it's messing with my allergies. So much so that I'm horribly dizzy and can't fall asleep. Every time I close my eyes, I feel like I am on a rocking boat. And it's not a relaxing feeling.

I just checked the San Antonio allergy report. Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grass are "Medium-High" today. I think just about every time I've checked the allergy report because I've felt bad, I've seen these three pollens posted. :P

Guess it's just been a crappy evening. I started feeling bad, then went to the restroom only to see FIVE new pimples on my face. I used a new face wash this morning and I am certain my skin didn't like it. It was a trial size, but it's going in the trash! I'm so mad!! I put some Duac on my face (derm medication) to stop any new breakout from occurring. I'll probably use it for the next week or so. Thank God I still have some left.

Well guess I'll watch the rest of Chronicles of Riddick and try to fall asleep.

Nite!

Quick Tidbit.

Today my coworker took me to lunch because last week I bought her lunch. She chose this hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant. It wasn't bad and fairly fresh tasting, but I have yet to find an oriental restaurant in San Antonio that reminds me of "real" asian food. But I digress. So, of course at the end of every Chinese meal is the Fortune Cookie. Mine said, "You will make a name for yourself."

For some weird reason, this really struck a chord with me. The past few weeks I've been thinking of trying for law school again and yesterday my business law professor said he would write a recommendation for me. The thought of attempting makes me excited and nervous and it has kind of been weighing on my mind (mostly the finances and insurance portion) and ... should I really take the next 3 years of my life and go to law school? What if I'm one of those "starving attorney's" who can't find work? I know a manager at my job who is a JD, and he is not utilized near to the degree he could be - and therefore, the money is not there to pay off massive amount of loans it will take to go.

But, after reading the "fortune" it made me think that trying for law school is what I'm really supposed to do. Perhaps it's naive to think a mass-produced fortune cookie with a made-up fortune would be the reason I should say, "Go for it." On the other hand, I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. If this struck a chord with me, I believe that it was meant to.

I dated the fortune for today and put it inside a little memory box. It will definitely be my motivation as I try to start up on the LSAT and set my sights on law school. I can't loose sight of what I want. So I needed to write this blog to remind me of how much I want this. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but I can see the potential benefits for me - for example, how likely is it that I will lose a job as an attorney to offshoring? Not very... or is it? http://legalcareers.about.com/od/jobmarket/a/Offshoring.htm Damn.

You know what? I don't care. I still want this.

Well, that is all for tonight.

HRBabe

Well Hello out there.

I feel like I never update this thing and yet, I always tell myself I will. When I'm at work, I usually have time to update but get side tracked because I have 2 separate computers (one with the "permissions" to go on the real internet and one without). I am also ususally too busy sending emails to Aloe-Ha throughout the day to remember to author an update. hehe :) She's definitely a good vent-to person if I am having a particularly frustrating day. Also, a friend of mine and I were supposed to start a "Blog-Working" every Friday, where we write new blog posts every Friday evening. If we can't get that started, well, dangit, I might just do it myself anyway.

So, I am officially on the job-hunt again. Last Thursday I received my salary increase and I was LIVID that I didn't even get the standard 3%. In fact, no one in my department received 3%. How do they expect us to continue to live on these pennies they call a paycheck, when, the cost of EVERYTHING has gone up around 7%? I wasn't expecting 7%, but I was expecting around 5%. My employer just doesn't get it. You can't possibly retain your best people if you can't competitively compensate them. I have sent out a few feeler resumes, so we'll see what feedback I get and if anything becomes available. I'm looking for a Recruiting position in San Antonio, so if you know of anything, please let me know!

It also sucks that I am in a consistent "I am too busy for you now" mode because once I feel like I have the timing of everything down, my schedule changes. I really do think a MBA was a great idea, but I am SO OVER these mini-semesters. I feel like I NEVER have time to do anything. It’s like, each class assigns you this big project and in less than 8 weeks it’s due, and oh yeah, we know you have a full time job and are taking other classes, but you’re just going to have to deal. I must be doing something right, though, because I’m halfway done and I have a 3.8 GPA. It’s just too bad I feel like it’s at the cost of my personal relationships, but then again, becoming successful isn’t easy. I can’t believe it’s been almost 1 year since I got married, and yet, it doesn’t feel like we are a married couple. Traveling and having fun is mostly just a wish at this point.

So one good thing about this semester is that it has re-lit a fire in me for law school. I am taking a BLaw class and not only do I LOVE it, I’ve pretty much aced everything. I don’t think the professor is making it overly easy for people, but maybe its because I get it and he’s definitely made it interesting. I feel kind of dumb for not pursuing law school over my MBA, but I’m still thinking of trying for law school again. I would like to specialize in Labor or Employment Law. I can only imagine how poor my hubs and I will be if I decide to go, because it will be 3 years of me not working - at all. We’ll see. I definitely need some time to decompress after the craziness called the MBA; travel, enjoy life, SAVE, then hop into it. And don't ask about kids. God, forget it. I'll be too old to have any by the time I'm done "professionalizing" myself.

Celebrate Good Times, C'Mon!

Tonight we're celebrating my hubs bday with more people. Not a huge crowd, just a handful of friends.

We're doing a Caribbean (Jamaican) theme. I ordered Tortuga Rum Cakes and even had them sent overnight cuz I wanted to use those as Scott's bday cake. They were pricey, but they're worth it.



I don't even know if I have anything "Caribbean" to wear to my own party. Wish I looked cute in sleeveless. I'd wear something like this:



Anyway, I better go. Need to make a list and start cleaning/marinating!

The Hubs turns 31!

Today my husband (nicknamed "hubs") turned 31 years old.  We went to The Outback to celebrate w/Jennifer from The Morning Brewcast and John, her husband.  We had fun!  Jennifer was kinda tired though.  Apparently she had slept/woken up 3 different times today...... :)

Pictures:

My gift to Scott


Scott and his card


Scott and his new design book


All of us at The Outback


Me giving Scott the silly eye


Ok, us being serious.


Jenn & John


The guys holding up some swag Jenn & John got from Thomas Reprographics earlier.


That's all! Good night.

Can't Sleep

Not that this weighs heavy on my mind or anything... its more of an "I don't get it" type of thing. But it seems like every time we invite a big group of people over, most people find a reason not to come. I guess take our wedding for example. We invited 200 people and not even 100 came. (And don't they say to expect 70%?) I guess this is payback for not being as social as I probably should be. I wonder if this means people really don't like us.

Where do you meet people? Work? School?

We met the majority of people here through meetup groups and work. I haven't met too many other people via mutual friends. And honestly, my work just isn't a good "pool" of people to hang out with. First of all, most the people at my work -- I would never hang out with on a daily basis. And second, of the ones I would, they are either too old (because they have kids my age) or they have really young kids and no babysitter.

It makes me feel bad that people don't like to hang out with us. We have like 2 friends who are always up for anything, and I love that about them. Though, we do the same for them... I dunno. Maybe I'm too sensitive. Or maybe we just have 2 friends in this city. Or maybe this means I really do need to move to Austin. I've heard there are more people there like me.

School

So I've decided I enjoy being in school, because it makes me feel smart. Though, it's been incredibly time consuming, especially since I'm on "mini-mesters." Honestly, that is the part that's killing me but I hope I will get used to it soon.

I am taking an Information Systems class and an HR Staffing class this semester. Both had is interesting points, but I think I enjoyed my Staffing class more, just because it's HR and that's my strength. I am more *into* my research paper for HR, anyway, even though I should be typing *it* instead of this blog.

Right now I'm working on 2 papers due tomorrow night by midnight. I'm about 1/4th the way into my staffing paper, and I'm pretty much done w/my info systems paper, even though, I know that one stinks... and I'm not a huge fan of APA formatting. I think my professor for my info system class is WAY too much of a stickler for "proper formatting." He couldn't even tell us what was correct and what wasn't... kind of made me think, "Well if he doesn't know, then it won't matter if I make a mistake." I just hate to waste my time on minuscule things like formal formatting, since I don't plan to *ever* publish a paper. Yes, I want to give credit where credit is due and do it the right way... but geez. It's just so "ugh" I guess.

But I digress. I have 95's in both my classes. I hope that even if I trip up a bit on the papers, I'll make up for them on the final. I have definitely worked hard this semester carrying two clients at work and going through 2 classes; I deserve both the A's I have right now!!

I also hope that when my coworker returns from short term disability, I'll have more time to make it to the gym. I'm thinking of starting up these B12 and Lipotropic shots. One of my coworkers has dropped 10 pounds and a BUNCH of inches. It's come off slow, too... which, makes it seem like it would be more permanent. The bad part is its pricey, $27/per week. So, over $100/mo for weight injections. But you know, I'd be willing to give it a try for two months. Lord knows I could stand to lose some weight and inches.

Well, off to bed for this chicklet. Tomorrow more I'm gonna spank that paper!