College

This past weekend I went back to my alma mater, Western Michigan University, for homecoming. This is my third year coming back as an alumna and every year I look forward to the weekend. It is a weekend full of great friends, food, and good times.

During college I can say that I knew those were going to be the most fun times of my life. I tried to not take for granted the time I had there with the amazing people and experiences, but unfortunately there were times when I still did.

College is fun no matter what city the university is in as long as you have made a good group of friends, enjoy your classes and major, and are putting yourself out there to experience new and different things. My college career was amazing as I had an awesome support group and tried to take advantage of every opportunity given to me. By the time I was in my senior year though, I was ready to get out. I wanted to be more independent and start making the big bucks $$$$$.

Well, like everything else in my life, I had my expectations too high, and did not start making the big bucks; just small ones. And I gained my independence... and then wanted to give it back. Graduating from college is NOT that fun. Parents always tell you that college is the best time of your life, and like everything else, who listened to their parents? NOT ME.

I have been post collegiate for about 2.5 years now and am still getting used to the complete lifestyle change. I do not have that strong social group anymore. I do not get to stay up late and sleep in when I can, or want to. And I especially do not get to skip a class here or there because I would rather lay out in the sun with my friends. It is a hard transition, and reality definitely has kicked me down a couple of times. But luckily, I still have that awesome support group from college to help me up whenever I need, and to provide me with the words of encouragement when I am feeling down.

In the "real world" you are not going to get your dream job right away. In fact, you may never get it. My mother always told me that life wasn't fair, and she was right. Just because you want something and you're willing to do your best to get it, doesn't mean you will.

I am not trying to be negative or anything, it is just something I have learned since I have graduated. Fortunately, I did not give up on my dream job, or listen to the critics who told me to just stick with logistics because I was good at it and could make good money. Nope. I told them that I went to college so I could do something that I enjoyed, and I intended on applying to job after job until there weren't anymore left to apply for. So don't give up. Even if it takes you 10, 15 years; don't give up. Those who give up and just let nature take its course in the field that you are currently in is allowing you to become complacent with your life. Cheesy quotes always say that you only have one life to live, to live it right the first time. I agree. I know I am trying my best to make this once-in-a-lifetime thing right the first time.

I did it

So the opportunity I have been waiting for has finally come. I got the job in Detroit working events for a private club, and start in a little over two weeks. I have a lot to do and a lot to think about between now and then.

I have to figure out my budget (I hate this word).
I have to find somwhere to live (any ideas???)
I have to hope they will give me the time off I need to a family vacation in February.
I have to pack all my stuff up.
I have to organize my belongings.
I have to rent a U-haul.
I have to make sure my father, brothers, and boyfriend can move me.
I have to think of everything.

It's times like these that I really miss my mother. She would be putting the lists together, and gathering my items up. She'd make sure my apartment is clean and help me clean the carpets, pantries and walls. She was truly a one-of-a-kind woman and the best mom I could of asked for. Of course, I'm realizing many things about her now that she is gone, but that seems to be the way it always is.

I have butterflies in my stomach and anxiety about starting the new job. I know it's because it's new and different, but I have my concerns too. It's going to be a lot of hours, and working every Thanksgiving, so I'm hoping my family will celebrate Thanksgiving on a different day. It's going to be a big change, but I think it's the change I need and have been looking for. I know this is the right opportunity because my mom has been watching over me making sure I make the right decisions. She always told me that she wanted me to learn from my own mistakes, so here I go. Off on my own to make those mistakes and to grow as a person.

Wish me luck.

Government Spending

Insane:

$16 muffins & $8 coffee

Pumpkin Spice Latte

For the past couple of weeks I have seen so many people on Facebook talking about the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. I'm not really a big coffee fan and prefer Chai Tea Lattes, but decided to try it out since there was so much buzz.

I was stuck at work late on Friday night, and was driving to Lansing to meet my boyfriend on our way to Grand Rapids. I was tired from a long day of work so I stopped by Starbucks to give the PSL a try. Now I hope I won't be losing any friends from this post, but I thought it was bad. Really bad. I couldn't taste any pumpkin flavor and it just tasted like every other latte I've had. Some of my sips were better than others, but I couldn't even finish it. I'm really bummed because I was hoping to have a new favorite thing for Fall, but needless to say the PSL did not meet my expectations.

I think I'll just stick with the Morgan's and hot apple cider from now on.

Reality Check

One of my favorite sites for news is Yahoo.com. It has a great mix of politics, pop culture, and random facts. Today I ran across an article about the povery the US is facing, and interviewed people who are living in poverty due to the recession. Every day we hear about the job issue and recession because it's all over the news. But it really hits hard when you hear a personal story about someone who was doing so well for themself, and then slowly kept slipping until they ran out of options.

Please take time to read this story and the individual stories within the article. It makes me appreciate all that I have so much more, and is just another daily reminder that my life is wonderful.

Poverty in America

Oops, I did it again

I have a problem. Nothing serious. But if I was to ever just let it go, then I could be in big trouble. I love, love, love, love, love to shop. It's definitely one of my hobbies, and I'm always serving the web for a great deal on designer fashion. Some of my favorite websites are: Ideeli, Rue La La, Shop It To Me, Beyond the Rack, Haute Look and of course my favorite designer Michael Kors who always has great stuff on sale... and not on sale.

Well let's just say I have gotten myself into a little jam. I went and visited one of my best friends in Milwaukee the other weekend and I went shopping. Luckily, it wasn't boutique shopping because I really get myself in trouble there, but I had a field day in H & M and JCrew. No big deal, exept I also bought a pair of Uggs, black flats, and black Michael Kors riding boots. Yes, all in the same month. Broke?? Why most certainly. So now after looking at my credit card statements, and wishing I made twice as much as I do (don't we all?) I now have to decide what to return.

So learn from my mistakes. Don't overshop like I do. I'm now on a shopping hiatus for 3 months, which leads to Christmas shopping where I unfortunately will not be treating myself to any goodies this season because unfortunately I'm not Kim Kardashian.

Hump Day

Every week people look forward to "Hump Day". Now some of you may not know what that is; so let me explain. Hump Day is Wednesday when you're half was done with the work week, and "over the hump" onto the weekend. Now, I get it. I love hump day just as much as the next guy, however it's gotten me thinking lately.

Each week majority of the general public: hates Mondays, doesn't mind Tuesdays, Wednesdays get us "over the hump" to the weekend, Thursdays are just there, and Fridays we count down the hours to the weekend. Everybody loves the weekend. It's our time to relax, get things done around the house, and visit with friends and family. The year goes by and next thing we know it, we're all celebrating New Year's Eve. Everyone looks around and wanders where the year and time went. Well I know where it went; we all wished it away. Every Monday we begin looking forward to the weekend and just praying we make it through the work week. My mother told me not to wish my life away because next thing I'll know I'll be 80 years old wondering where it went. Well she was right. She was right about a lot of things. My mother passed away on New Year's Even of 2010, and to me she was teaching me one more lesson before she passed, and that was to cherish our time here on earth, and to not let the years blow by us. Nobody know when it's our time to go, and so we should all enjoy it.

So here's my challenge to you: Do something fun during the week. Don't wait until Friday,Saturday, or Sunday to hang out with friends and family. Have a game night on Tuesday night and/or cocktails with friends on Thursdays. Join a bowling league during the winter and softball or volleyball during the summer. We all need to start enjoying our lives more because one day they'll be gone, and we'll all wonder where they went.

The long awaited phone call

Most of my dear friends know that my life's ambition is do be an event planner. I started in high school planning different dances and was in charge of my Junior Prom, it was epic by the way. I love starting an event from scrap, and watching the pieces come together to make something amazing. It's something new everyday and the job gives you the chance to reflect back on an event and think of different ways it could of been improved upon, and take those ideas with you to the next event.


Well, I finally received that phone call today. Actually it came when I was at work and my phone was dead, but regardless my phone was the intended receiver (no pun intended). I received a voice mail from a company who is looking for a junior catering coordinator and want to interview me this week. I was so nervous that I was shaking when I called the woman back to set up an interview time, and wasn't quite sure I had heard her right. I say this because for over two years now I have been trying to get an interview for an event planning job, and now that it has finally come I couldn't believe it was true.

So, I have an interview this week and I'm terrified. I want this job so bad that I'm afraid I'll stutter or say something stupid. So from now until the interview, I will be researching the company, practicing my well-thought out answers, and debating on what suit I should wear, or even if I should go buy a new suit. The day of the interview I won't be able to concentrate at work and will probably just watch the clock until it's time I leave to drive to the interview (which is two hours from where I live).

I feel for those people who are bad interviewers, or are terrified at speaking in front of people. Fortunately, I love public speaking, and don't get intimidated very much, however this is the break I've been looking for so let's all hope I'll make it out alive, with an offer in hand.

If you have any experience like this, I'd love to hear it.

God's Little Gifts

Earlier this morning I received a phone call from my boyfriend, Tayler, that his sister finally had her baby! The baby's name is Kellen James, and was born 9 lbs. 1 oz. (a big baby, I know). Waking up to wonderful news like that, I can't help but put a smile on my face and put life into perspective.

More often than not, my friends and I gripe over how we wish we had more money to buy the new Michael Kors bag, or how we'd like a new pair of flats. But in retrospect, those things in life don't really matter. Buying a new bag only creates a sense of euphoria for a little bit, but then it goes away and we're left wanting more. Something new and shiny. Unfortunately, I sometimes give into these temptations, but I am a work in progress and will continually remind myself that a new cocktail dress isn't going to bring me the happiness like a new baby.

So here's my challenge to you: Next time you feel the urge to buy something because you WANT it and not because you NEED it; stop for a moment and ask yourself, "Is this really going to make me happy?" Instead, go volunteer at a homeless shelter or an animal shelter. Doing something good like volunteering lasts a lot longer than purchasing something new.

I'd love to hear any situations like this where your temptation may get the best of you, or how you control your urges.