K's Grab Bag

Losing Weight Fast

2012-02-02T12:00:00.000-08:00

Like many women, I have a few pounds that I would like to lose. I have a pretty good gym schedule but whenever I feel like losing weight fast, I know that I need to focus on my eating habits.

I know that I could always drink a lot more water throughout my day and there are always healthier food options I could make instead of chips or other fast food.

Making these types of choices are what makes losing weight fast a more definite possibility. Combining healthier eating habits with my exercise habits would certainly aid in my weight loss. Now I just need to buckle down and do it!

Online Writing Tools

2012-02-02T11:53:00.000-08:00

Because I do a lot of online writing, I occasionally need help with grammar and spelling. This is where free online resources for writing like Omniglot come in handy. Omniglot offers several different free online resources like a grammar checker, spelling checker, and even English learning websites.

Overall, the free resources page is really easy to navigate and the links are provided throughout the text and summary explaining each feature. I think I'm going to bookmark it in the future in case I ever need to check my grammar, spelling, or find a dual language English dictionary. Sometimes good links like these are hard to find!

Big Ticket Depot Affiliate Program

2012-01-30T12:38:00.001-08:00

Because I have a freelance client that helps people learn about auctions, I am always intrigued by online and offline auctions that I come across. I just read this press release proclaiming that "Cutting Edge Affiliate Marketing Program Caters to Millions of Online Shoppers & Marketers" with information about the website and marketing program, BigValueDepot.com.

The site, which runs online auctions and offers public auction listings, is launching an affiliate program to help get more traffic on the site and get more people to participate in auctions.

Affiliate programs and online auctions are two things that I am very interested in. I know that they are both good ways to make some extra income, but it does take a lot of time and attention to make sure you are purchasing the right items and marketing your affiliate clients effectively. BigValueDepot.com might be a site worth checking out, as it combines my two interests all into one.

The Benefits of Purchasing a Self Storage Facility

2012-01-24T12:47:00.000-08:00

The biggest and most obvious draw to purchasing a self storage facility is the fact that a person won't have to deal with cleaning apartments or houses, toilet and plumbing issues, and other types of problems that may arise with owning properties that are used for residential (and even business) purposes.

Because most self storage units are made out of the metal, they are relatively easy to clean out and prepare for the next tenant after one leaves. Furthermore, if a storage unit is listed as abandoned due to non-payment, when they are auctioned off, the auction winner has to clean out the unit.

There are usually less employment costs when it comes to properly staffing a self storage facility as well. In most cases (depending on the size of the property), only one or two employees are needed at open business hours during the day. With proper gates and other security measures, a self storage facility can operate fairly independently, without the extra cost of employees that may be needed for other types of businesses.

There are other benefits of owning and operating a self storage businesses, but these are main draws which convince potential investors that self storage is a viable business and real estate investment.

Having Problems Sleeping?

2012-01-17T12:06:00.000-08:00

It has been my worst nightmare to get married and then my husband would start snoring. I know how loud my dad snores at night and I didn't want to have to deal with that. Fortunately, VitalSleep has come out with a stop snoring mouthpiece that works instantly! I visited their website (because I am always looking for new presents for my dad, haha) and I found it easy to use and navigate. The Vital mouthpiece has been cleared by the FDA and it is made in the USA, something I always look for when buying items online.

If my husband ever decides to start snoring, I'm going to have to go back to the Vital website and buy one for him right away!

ArTicks Gallery

2012-01-11T11:01:00.000-08:00

I have really been into art lately, especially since I took a tour of Europe in August of 2011. See all the art in Paris and beyond has really made me appreciate artists and their hard work and efforts. That's why it made me happy to be able to check out the ArTicks Gallery website, which is the website of an Art Consultancy providing exhibits and a showcase of the Amsterdam art scene.

I LOVED Amsterdam when I went to Europe, it was one of my favorite cities because of its friendly people and creative atmosphere. The ArTicks Gallery has some great examples of this creativity in its Art Catalogue, which can be downloaded via a PDF.

Next time I'm in Amsterdam, I'd love to check out their gallery-- especially since it's near Dam Square, one of my favorite places in the city.

The Perfect Gift

2012-01-09T09:39:00.000-08:00

The Author of this post is Velma Baird

I wanted to get my husband something really practical this year for Christmas, but he is really hard to shop for. He buys electronics incessantly during the rest of the year, so he already had everything he wanted in terms of those. He is also in the Army and wears a uniform to work every day, so clothes also weren’t an option. I wish I was better and more creative at buying gifts, but I am notoriously bad at it. I asked around to see if any of my friends had some ideas, and friend of mine at work gave me a great one. She said I should check out DIRECTV Deals because what man wouldn’t want a better TV package for Christmas? I checked it out and decided that it would be the perfect gift. The holidays are so stressful that it was nice to at least have one gift taken care of. I had no idea what to get for my parents or my in-laws so I had more time to obsess about that. Hopefully I’ll figure something out in time for the festivities!

Convert M4A to MP3 Easily

2011-12-21T14:58:00.000-08:00

There are several services available online that make it easy to convert M4A to MP3. One such site is http://www.convertm4atomp3.org, which is a free download for Mac or Windows that will convert files to MP3 as needed.

The software available on http://www.convertm4atomp3.org has been rated as 100% clean by Softpedia and also have several top ratings from sites like c|net and tucows. Making sure that any software downloads are clean before installing them onto your computer is crucial, so these top reviews can certainly give peace of mind to anyone who is looking for an easy way to convert M4A files to MP3 files.

Spending Money

2011-12-08T10:29:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the post from Sylvester Campbell

We were spending money like we had it when my husband lost his job last year. Out of nowhere he just got fired so we had to cut back big time to avoid getting in financial trouble. We had some savings but it certainly wasn’t enough to keep up our lifestyle for a long time so I had to make some tough choices right off the bat. Some were easy like cancelling our wine of the month club membership and also talking to all our magazine subscription companies and asking them to cancel me and give me the money back. I looked into New York energy rates to get us a better deal and I even somehow got out of the lease on the Lexus. I feel good about where we are right now and I think we’ll be okay. My husband’s had some good leads when it comes to new jobs and you know, that’s fine by me. There’s something to be said for taking control of your finances for life!

Christmas Gift Ideas

2011-12-05T10:36:00.000-08:00

I love finding unique and creative gifts for my close friends and family during the holidays. I look for ideas all year, but usually don't find what I am looking for until December. I found some awesome Christmas Gift Ideas on Gizoo and I thought I'd share my favorites.

I really like the Air Swimmers, even though I don't have kids of my own. They are super cool. Also, I've always been a PacMan fan so the Pac-Man apron would be great when I am baking cookies or a detailed dinner in the kitchen! Finally, since I do social media marketing, the fridgebook magnets are a fun idea for me to give to myself or to my business partner!

Online Spell Check

2011-12-05T10:32:00.001-08:00

Sometimes when I am writing website content, I don't want to open a new Microsoft Word document in order to make sure that I am spelling a word correctly. This is where an online free spell checker comes in handy. It allows me to quickly open a new tab, go to the spell checker website, and check to see if I spelled a word correctly.

Besides saving me the hassle of having to open up a new Word document, the free spell checker also comes in handy when using my smartphone. The site opens fast and is easy to use.

Using Instant Messaging During The Holidays

2011-11-22T13:16:00.000-08:00

Instant messaging is a great online communication tool because it allows businesses and individuals to talk online to their colleagues, friends, and family members anywhere in the world where there is internet access.

Because things can get pretty hectic during the holidays, using an instant messenger for communication is a great way to stay in touch with employees that are traveling for the holidays. Having a more flexible, work from home schedule during the holidays can allow employees to get work done while also spending time with their family. Instant messaging programs like Brosix make staying in touch so much easier.

Instant messaging programs can also be great for families who aren't all together during the holidays. Some instant messaging programs have Video Chat, which can allow families to see one another one the holidays themselves, which can have a lot of meaning to families who are located far apart from one another.

Finding a Print Vendor

2011-11-21T12:38:00.001-08:00

Sometimes it's hard to find a high-quality print vendor. Since I live in the Kansas City area, I like to support businesses that are in the Kansas City Metro or the surrounding area. I found a printing vendor online called PrintNinja and they seem like a great option, especially since they are based in Columbia, MO, which is halfway between Kansas City and St. Louis.

Some of the top options that PrintNinja offers are catalogs, brochures, flyers, booklets, envelopes, and magazines. You can get an instant quote online and they even offer free print samples! They guarantee customers a savings of 30-70% on regular printing prices and their website is simple and easy to use. Go check them out!

Advertising on Your Blog with Linknami

2011-11-21T12:32:00.000-08:00

Sometimes after a blogger has had a chance to really see the commitment it takes to keep up with a blog, they begin to wonder if they can make money off of it.

In many cases, depending on traffic and the blog content, blog advertising is something that is a great way to earn income with blogging.

Linknami connects bloggers and advertisers in an easy to use program that helps bloggers find advertisers, without having to do it on their own. Besides blog advertising, bloggers can also find advertisers to sponsor blog posts or get compensated for tweeting or posting on Facebook about products.

Creating eCards for the Thanksgiving

2011-11-16T12:15:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is next week already, and because I especially enjoy this "Turkey Day", I enjoy sending Thanksgiving ecards to my friends and family that I won't be able to see next Thursday. There are several different resources available online to find pretty and heartwarming ecards, including sites like www.ojolie.com.

This website is so many well-designed and has so many clever e-cards! I'm sure almost anyone can find something that they like and will be perfect for the recipient they have in mind. Besides pretty illustrations, the site also has beautiful animations to make the e-card come to life. I enjoyed browsing the site and will definitely revisit it for other holidays and birthdays!

Watching Pierce's antics on Community

2011-10-05T14:04:00.001-07:00

Guest post written by Leann Greg

Whenever I heard anything about Chevy Chase, for years I thought about him in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation movie because it's a family tradition to watch that movie every single year. So when I first heard that he was going to be on Community again, I envisioned him as Clark like in all the National Lampoon's movies. Well, Pierce definitely isn't like that on the show Community. But I still love him either way.

Before the new season started again, I decided that I would try and look online with my wireless internet Honolulu to see if I could find some info about what's going on with his character this season.

I knew that in the premiere when I saw that his character Pierce was going to act better, I thought that it would be just so weird for him. Of course we found out by the end of the episode that Pierce was up to his old tricks again. But I wouldn't love his character on the show or the show if his character wasn't like that.

Looking for a New Computer

2011-09-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

Even though my computer is running fine with no problems, I still find myself looking at new laptops online to see what prices are. An Asus Laptop is usually a really good value, and a computer nerd friend of mine recommended them, saying that they have really gone up in quality since when they were first manufactured.

There are several other brands, like Lenovo or HP, but the most expensive of them all is of course the Apple MacBooks, which is usually a lot smaller than PC laptops but often cost 2x-3x more for the same amount of memory and processing speeds. However, many people prefer Apple and won't buy anything else.

I am always open-minded to PCs and Apple computers, I just evaluate each one individually to see if it is what I'm looking for. Usually I want something ultra-portable since I travel a lot. I don't like ones that have larger than a 15" screen because otherwise they are too big and difficult to carry.

When I finally decide to get a computer, I'm sure I will be able to find an Asus or other brand that will suit my needs.

The Checklist

2011-05-31T19:56:00.000-07:00

The Author of this post is Herman Barry

There are so many things I didn't think about before I moved in to my new house, but I sure am finding out about them now! For example, you would've thought I would have to run to the store and buy the blinds the very first day I moved in so as to prevent people from looking in my first floor windows while I slept! I also didn't realize I would need to purchase HIGH SPEED INTERNETsince dial-up was the only ground option in my area. I thought that painting the walls would be much easier than it actually was, so there was an expense I had never thou! ght of: hiring painters. I didn't think that not having a garage would be that big a deal, that was until the first hailstorm! I wish I had considered that when I was looking into this particular house. I think I've handled all the challenges pretty well as they've come to me, but I'm ready to stop dealing with problems and start enjoying my home!

Using Universal Business Listing for SEO

2010-03-27T12:45:00.000-07:00

Because I do a lot of freelance writing work for clients, I enjoy reading up on SEO and other techniques to increase website and search rankings. A recent article by Mark Thompson about Local Business Listings mentioned UniversalBusinessListing.org as a great resource for business owners to submit their businesses to.

I know that SEO is usually a very time-consuming process, especially for small business owners looking to increase their visibility online. UniversalBusinessListing.org can help businesses submit to many directories all at once, thus saving time and energy.

Besides submitting their information to local business listing directories, business owners and employees should also have a well-designed and updated website, blog and share content regularly, and should make sure to promote their website offline through traditional marketing methods.

1-800 Flowers is Everywhere!

2010-02-11T08:05:00.000-08:00

I know that I've written a lot of entries about 1-800 flowers, but that is because they are everywhere! They certainly have a great marketing campaign. I saw that they sponsored a tv show I was watching on Bravo this week, and I also read an article about them and how they don't over-charge customers just because they are ordering roses or other flower arrangements online.

I like ordering flowers online- it's easier, I can do it from work or home, and I have a big selection. However, many times I don't order anything because it is so costly. It's great that 1-800Flowers is trying to make prices more clear and reasonable for customers.

Twilight Valentine’s Day Flowers are a Great Gift for Any Fan

2010-02-10T09:36:00.000-08:00

Even though I had read all 4 books of the Twilight series before the first movie came out, it doesn't stop me from enjoying all the hoopla surrounding the series that I've loved for a long time. SO, I was excited to find, while searching 1800Flowers for Valentine's Day flowers for my mom, a page for Twilight Valentine’s Day Flowers. I thought about buying them for myself, but then I figured that simply sending the page to my fiancee as a major hint should do the trick! Hopefully he will buy me the 'Premium Package', since that comes with a pre-order of the New Moon DVD!

Keep your fingers crossed for me! Have a great Valentine's Day everyone!

Ordering from 1-800 Flowers for Valentine's Day

2010-02-07T09:28:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is coming up, and I am so excited! My fiance always buys me flowers, usually roses, for February 14th. Sometimes we go out to dinner, but he usually has the Flowers delivered to my work or my apartment when he knows that I will be home.

I like Valentine's Day, but I try to have Valentine's Day every day! Doing nice things throughout the year for one another makes things a lot more romantic, 365 days a year! I would like my fiance to buy me flowers every week, but I guess I should even be lucky that he buys me flowers on Valentine's Day! Sometimes men aren't good at remembering things like that. :)

Parco San Marco- a Dream Honeymoon

2010-01-17T10:07:00.000-08:00

Now that I'm engaged and planning a wedding, there are a lot of vacation hot spots I've been looking at for our honeymoon. I've always wanted to go to Europe, and the spa hotel in Italy, The Parco San Marco, seems perfect. I've always loved Italy-- especially the food! And I know that the hotels and resorts there offer a lot of activities, like Lake Como Golf, bicycle tours, historical sites, and plenty of great photographic opportunities.

I'm a little worried about the cost, but I know that my family really wants to help us pay for the wedding and the honeymoon, so I know that a honeymoon at the Parco San Marco may not be far out of reach. My mom loves Italy, so a Lake Lugano Vacation would be a good excuse for her to research Italian spa hotels.

The Connection Between Paul Offit and Jenny McCarthy

2009-12-29T22:17:00.000-08:00

When I was creating a wish list for Christmas, I thought about including this new fitness program for the Nintendo Wii that features Jenny McCarthy. That got me thinking about other things she is known for, like speaking out about autism since her son has it. This then reminded me of Paul Offit, a doctor I have mentioned before on this blog.

Unlike Jenny McCarthy however, Paul Offit believes that vaccines do not cause autism and has a new book developing this idea. Sometimes my mom is concerned about the link between autism and vaccines since she works with children as part of her career, but I assure her that medical professionals like Paul Offit are researching all they can to determine more about autism and those who have it.

Steve Stevanovich & Destination Weddings

2009-12-29T21:54:00.000-08:00

Because I am planning on getting married during September of next year, I have been looking up wedding venues for a beautiful place to have a ceremony and reception. My friend asked me if I was going to a destination wedding since my fiancee and I got engaged in Las Vegas instead of in our hometown of Kansas City. For fun, I was looking at Steve Stevanovich's blog about destination weddings for ideas and he certainly picked a lot of amazing places.

Steve Stevanovich mentions Utah and Japan, along with some other beautiful places around the world. While a destination wedding would be beautiful, I really want all my family and friends to be present so I'm not sure if having a destination wedding like Steve Stevanovich suggests would be such a good idea.

Non-profit work and Deven Parekh

2009-12-29T21:25:00.000-08:00

Now that I'm out of college, I have a lot more free time to volunteer and do good in my community. Deven Parekh Insight Venture Partners does a lot of non-profit work for Publicolor, which helps bring art to struggling teenage students.

However, instead of working with art like Deven Parekh Insight Venture Partners, I think that I want to work prevent animal over-population in shelters across America. One of my New Year's Resolutions is to start volunteering in a local animal shelter. I have a lot of great marketing skills that might be good for building a website or writing descriptions about animals up for adoption.

Deven Parekh Insight Venture Partners is very inspirational because he is dedicated towards making the world a better place.

Ordering a Gown From Gina Penzarella

2009-12-29T21:06:00.000-08:00

Since my boyfriend proposed to me on Thanksgiving weekend in front of the Belliago Fountains in Las Vegas this year, I have been on the hunt for the perfect wedding dress. I don't want to spend a lot of money but I still want my dress to be beautiful and something I will always treasure. While searching for gowns online, I found out about Gina Penzarella, who is a great bridal dress maker.

Besides making wedding gowns, Gina Penzarella also makes all different types of formal dresses and fancy dresses for prom for teenage girls. Her designs are great and she has been quite successful. Gina Penzarella also has a great dedication for protecting animals and is involved with Defenders of Wildlife and her local SPCA.

Ordering Online From 1-800Flowers

2009-12-28T22:00:00.000-08:00

Since I wasn't going to be with my family on Christmas, I went to the website for 1-800 Flowers and perused their inventory to see if they had any Christmas bouquets I could send to my mom so she could put them on the dining room table for Christmas dinner. 1-800 Flowers had a great selection available, along with coupons and special deals just in time for the holidays.

Normally I would think that ordering online from a floral company like 1-800 Flowers would be expensive, but their prices were reasonable and were comparable to the prices that other local florist shops were charging for the bouquet and delivery. I can't believe that a lot of florist shops charge so much for flowers, especially around the holidays! I guess when it's winter, flowers are harder to come by, but they should have a lot more specials since Christmas has to be popular for table arrangements and other flowers.

Sak narwal Reminds Me of Missing Summer

2009-12-28T20:53:00.000-08:00

Since winter has finally hit Kansas, there is starting to be a lot cold weather and snow and I've begun to think about all the things I miss most about the summer, when the weather is much better and there is more to do.

One of these things (which Sak Narwal's blog reminded me of) is fishing. Sak Narwal has a passion for fishing and I do too. I think fishing is very relaxing and it makes me feel less stressed out. Sometimes I feel bad for the fish, but since I am a compassionate fisherman like Sak Narwal, I usually put the fish back since I do not wish to eat them.

When I am fishing, I do it for sport, not for food. For this reason, I don't care very much if I catch any fish or not.

Doing Good like Deven Parekh

2009-11-23T15:39:00.000-08:00

As I get more established in my industry, I would love to serve on board of non-profit and do-good organizations like Deven Parekh. He currently serves on the board of Publicolor, and I'm sure he enjoys every minute of it. Even though I don't live in a big city like Deven Parekh, I would like to find some more opportunities where I can learn more about volunteering and helping in causes that I care about.

Deven Parekh is involved with Publicolor because he cares about motivating teenagers, and I would like to find a women's issues organization or a non-profit that is helping shelter animals find homes. These are 2 causes that I care about deeply. Occasionally I donate money to animal shelters when they send me fund raising letters through the mail, but if I had more spare time, I would like to go to a local animal shelter and help feed and bathe animals that are waiting for new homes.

Great 1800 flowers coupon codes

2009-11-18T15:30:00.000-08:00

When I am shopping for flowers for my friends and family, I like to go online first and see if there are any 1800 Flowers coupon codes that can possibly save me some money. I love giving flowers as a gift, but only if I can get a good deal and don't have to spend more than what I have budgeted for.

Now that it is getting colder, I can't grow my own flowers out on my patio. But no worries, I just go online and I can find a pretty bouquet and even have it delivered with extras, like a pretty vase. I can also have it delivered by someone else-- which saves me a lot of time.

Gift Baskets for the Holidays

2009-11-17T15:25:00.000-08:00

Because the holidays are right around the corner, I couldn't think of a better gift for my close friends than some gift baskets. There are so many different varieties nowadays and I'm so lucky to be able to find just what I'm looking for online. There are baskets that have fruit, candy, chocolate, flowers, and more. I've tried to make my own basket before but they just aren't as good.

When I'm done updating my other blog and website, I will try to find the perfect gift basket for my friend Leighana at the 1800flowers gift baskets website. They have a lot to chose from and I can also get it delievered to her at work if I really want to make her day! I'm so excited!

Fields of Flowers

2009-11-02T10:09:00.000-08:00

If there's one thing I've learned from my travels all over Missouri last month to see what October has to offer, I've learned that I never really appreciated the beauty of the outdoors, especially when it comes to Flowers. We drove past a sunflower field which was seriously breathtaking, and seeing all the fall leaves and how they changed into such beautiful colors has made me think about how flowers really brighten up a person's day.

For instance, even though my mom lives 120 miles away from me, I can still order flowers online from a website like 1-800 Flowers and have them delivered to her at work. She loves sunflowers too, maybe I'll go online right now and order some for her.

Getting a Dog From a Breeder Like Happiness is Pets

2009-10-02T16:32:00.000-07:00

Since H has finally found a job, we are thinking seriously about getting a puppy. I miss my dog Charlie very much and it would be great to have a dog running around to keep us company. I visited the website of Happiness is Pets to learn more about buying a new puppy and what kind of puppy we should think about getting.

Happiness is Pets sells mixes like Puggles, and a poodle might be good to get because they don't shed as much as are good for people with allergies, like me. However, H really wants to get a mini dachshund but I've never had one of those before and I'm not sure if Happiness is Pets carries them. He wants to get a long-haired black and tan one. I guess we'll have to do some more research to decide if we're ready for a dog.

Fishing like Sak Narwal

2009-10-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

Now that summer has come to a close and we're in Fall now, one thing I'm going to miss is being able to go fishing. I really wish I would have done more of this this summer. People like Sak Narwal who set aside time to enjoy fishing are people I envy. Fishing and reading good books are 2 things I really enjoy.

I think it would be awesome to go deep sea or salt water fishing, like Sak Narwal has done in the Florida Keys. Problem is, I would be scared if I caught a huge fish and wasn't strong enough to bring it in! I wouldn't want to accidentally let go and lose my fishing pole!

One thing that would be crazy to catch are sharks, which is what Sak Narwal does in Long Island. Some sharks are really cute and I would feel bad catching them! I would probably release them back to sea once I caught them.

Remodeling with K-Designers

2009-10-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

H and I have been looking at houses to buy lately, especially since we are "adults" now and have good jobs. He wants to buy a expensive house in the suburbs but I was thinking that it might be nice to buy an older Victorian home and fix it up using a home remodeling company like K-Designers.

There are so many things to fix up in an old home and it's cheaper to do it after you purchase the house rather than buying a house brand new. For instance, since we have 3 cars, we want a 3 car garage and can easily get new garage doors from K-Designers if the house we buy needs new ones.

Another thing that we might need to replace in an older home are gutters. K-Designers offers these as well, and I'm sure they would give us an estimate before we decided to purchase our gutters from them.

Amos Tamam Update

2009-09-30T21:21:00.001-07:00

I know I have written about Amos Tamam in the past, but I thought I'd write a quick blog post about what he's up to and what is going on in his life now. When I was writing about Amos Tamam before, he didn't have a website yet. Now, as I was surfing around online, looking up people who I have written about before in this blog, I stumbled across his website.

There are a lot of links on his website that have his online social media profiles, along with ZoomInfo and a lot of other information about his work with the taxi industry. Amos Tamam has done a lot of great work with digitizing the payment system in taxis, and he is bound to be successful for the long term.

RENEW International and Thier Website

2009-09-30T20:44:00.000-07:00

While surfing online, I came across the website of RENEW International. They are a Roman Catholic ministry that does a lot of activities every year. Their website has a lot of interesting information about what they do in their organization. It is easy to navigate and the colors are very appealing. They use green as their main color and the tree in the menu shows hopefulness and grace.

RENEW International's website has their newsletter, press releases, an online store, and the website is fairly easy to navigate. However, in my opinion, the best part about their website is the 'About' section. It is very thorough and talks a lot about RENEW International and their ministry-- what's important to them, their mission, and their history. They have a deep religious faith and strength to their belief and convictions.

Summer Flowers

2009-08-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about summer is all the Flowers that bloom. From sunflowers to wildflowers growing on the side of the highway, I'm just enamored with the color and the ability that flowers have to bring beauty into everyday life.

Since I just moved into my new apartment, I have discovered all of these vases I'd had in my old cabinets that I've never gotten a chance to use. Well that is no more! Since I have a beautiful apartment, I thought I'll make it even more beautiful by buying some flower arrangements and placing them in our bedroom and the guest bedroom.

My mom is visiting next weekend so we can see the musical Chicago and I'm sure she'll enjoy the fresh sunflowers I'm going to place in her room. Those are her favorite flower and they really make all the artwork in the guest bedroom POP!

Staying Late

2009-06-16T16:07:00.000-07:00

I'm staying late at work today to make sure I'm all caught up on some projects. I like being caught up, but most of the time, I don't like staying late.

Does anyone else stay late at work a lot?

This Weekend

2009-05-06T20:12:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that Mothers Day will already be here this Sunday! I will be visiting my mother in Manhattan and I'm going to be bring her some flowers. I've been thinking that tulips are a really pretty flower to give in the spring time. They come in so many different colors!

I might also send Mothers Day flowers to my grandma. She lives about 6 hours away from me and has had some trouble with her health lately. She is having a heart procedure on Friday for her pacemaker and I really hope that it goes okay.

I've already sent her a card, but I think she would really enjoy getting some flowers while she is recovering in the hospital. It's not the best way to spend Mother's Day, but I'm sure that the flowers will certainly cheer her up.

Go Royals!

2009-05-02T21:20:00.000-07:00

The KC Royals are doing great this season! I watched/listened to the game online while I was surfing and watching TV, and I'm so glad they won tonight against the Twins. It went until the 11th inning!

I definitely plan on going to more games this summer.

P.S. If anyone needs social media, blogging, or writing services, let me know. Visit my website.

Mother's Day Flowers Part 2

2009-04-23T11:02:00.000-07:00

As Mothers Day continues to get closer and closer, I am still wondering what type of flowers I should buy my mom. Sunflowers are her favorite flower, like I mentioned in my previous post, but tulips are really pretty too, like these:

Sometimes, even when it isn't Mother's Day, I go to the Farmer's Market near where I live and pick up some tulips for my mom and my self. They always seem to make any day a lot better!

In addition to flowers, we might go on a weekend trip for Mother's Day to Weston, MO, a cute small town about an hour away from where I live. They have a lot of old shops that would be fun to visit. Maybe I'll have the owner at the hotel put some tulips in our room before we get there!

Showing Appreciation With Mothers Day Flower Arrangements

2009-04-16T10:48:00.000-07:00

I really like Mother's Day because it allows me to recognize my mom for every thing she does and how important she is to me. The best way to show this appreciation is a mothers day flower

arrangement. 1800-Flowers.com is a great company that has a variety of cheerful, fun, and creative bouquets like the one above, which incorporates sunflowers, my mom's favorite flower.

On Mother's Day, I like to take my mom out to lunch with my brother. Besides a mothers day flower arrangment sent to her work beforehand (usually on a friday), we usually also get her another small gift, like a book she's been wanting to read or a few candles that smell like lilac or roses.

Even though my mom really likes the beautiful flower arrangments that my brother and I send her, I think she just appreciates what we took the time to think of her and made her feel special on this day. I'm so grateful to have a wonderful mom.

I love you, Mom!

New Social Media Sites

2009-04-07T11:54:00.000-07:00

I just signed up to Tumblr and Extendr, and so far they are pretty cool. Apparently the hot new thing is the take out 'e' before r's in website names. Here are my profiles at those sites:

http://wonderwall7.tumblr.com/

http://wonderwall7.extendr.com/

Check them out, especially if you are into social media. They are the bee's knees!

April Fool's

2009-04-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

I've never really liked April Fool's, and I'm usually all about the holidays that don't get much attention. I think it is because I am so gullible and usually believe things people tell me.

One holiday I do enjoy, however, is May Day. Who doesn't like getting flowers from an unknown person?What a sweet idea. I know, it has links to the plague (at least the song 'ring around the rosie' does), but still, flowers make everything better.

Running with my dog

2009-03-17T21:34:00.000-07:00

I know my dog is tired after we go running when his ears are no longer up and alert, but relaxed. He is panting and ready for some water. We push each other on, wanting not to disappoint one another and puss out before the other one does. I could have turned into the drive and up the hill towards the apartment complex, but I keep going, deciding to run the extra 15 minutes that will let me eat a fudge bar when I get home.
--
I'm so glad the weather is nice again. The only thing that makes winter tolerable is the light at the end of the tunnel- spring.

Staying Motivated

2009-03-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

I'm having a hard time staying on track while staying on track with all my freelance writing assignments. I've actually done a stellar job today, completing 5 articles and a blog post. I think this mainly has to do with the fact that I limited my job browsing to an hour this morning (and stuck to it), as well as limited my web browsing throughout the day. I think consistently reminding myself to stay on track has been the best motivator so far.

In other news, I wish it was warmer outside. It is one of those days that is so sunny you want to be outside, but then once you step outside, you realize that it is FREEZING and you have to go back for your coat. Blargh.

Stimulus

2009-03-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

I'm nervous about the bailout. I think when everyone was voting for Obama, they figured that he would be the one that would magically wave his wand and the economy would be fixed and everything would be just fine and dandy. Well it doesn't work that way. And now, Obama is going to be the scapegoat for the country's problems!

I love Obama, and I'm glad he is our president, but I am not completely sold on the Economic Stimulus package. This may be the only conservative part of me, but I don't really think giving away money is going to solve anything...it didn't work last year!

Eyeglasses

2009-03-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

I love wearing my glasses. They are red, round, and have a cute secret leopard print on the inside. I started wearing glasses in 3rd grade, and got contacts in 7th grade. I can't believe I've been wearing glasses for so long, and it seems that my eyesight has been getting worse. I guess that happens as you get older.

I don't have vision insurance anymore, but I will probably need to get some within the next year in case I need to change my lens perscription. I've had this same pair of glasses for 2 years now.

Classic Rock

2009-03-03T10:16:00.000-08:00

I've been listening to 101 The Fox lately while I've been working on the computer. I really really like it. I'm so glad that my dad introduced me to classic rock. ZZ Top, Steve Miller Band, and Aerosmith are some of my favorites. I also love Elvis, Queen, and the Beatles. I told you that I should have been born a boy!

I need to pick up my guitar again. I wish I had an electric one so I could rock out easier! But, I guess for now, Guitar Hero will have to suffice. :)

One Minute Writer: Giving a Toast

2009-03-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

I've never been a very good public speaker. Even though my mom always says, "What's the worse that can happen?" my heart still begins to flutter and I stumble over my words when it comes time for my time to speak. I was in Forensics in high school- maybe that's where it started. Having your first public speaking event in front of other mean 9th graders isn't really the best experience.

I would have to say, though, that my worst public speaking experience was even later in high school. I had braces for 2 years and for about 9 months of that time, I also had an upper mouth piece that caused me to speak with a lisp because it was widening my jaw. Well, i won some award and had to give a speech at the meeting saying thanks. I thought I did ok until someone in the audience approached my mom and told her how brave she thought I was- she thought I was learning disabled because of the way I talked! She also spoke to me like I was a 5 year old. Talk about totally mortifying!

The Kingston Trio

2009-02-20T10:04:00.001-08:00

Did I ever tell you that my uncle was/is in the Kingston Trio? They won the first country grammy EVER! Isn't that awesome? He's a great guy, I may tell more about him in my other blog, but for this blog, here are some links to listen to their music.

http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/song/Tom_Dooley/4641439

http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/song/Greenback_Dollar/2986282

It's folk music, and it just makes me happy. Who knew I would actually like it? :) Have a good day!

Reading

2009-02-18T15:30:00.000-08:00

I taught myself how to read when I was 3. Yes. It's true. I was just as awesome then as I am now. Learning how to decipher the written word began my love story with books and writing. It is in my blood, I can't help but find empty notebooks and free blogs to fill with my thoughts and ideas. I hope I am always like this. I love being me.

Mondays

2009-02-16T07:17:00.000-08:00

I'm actually having a good Monday for once. Who knew? But, I don't really want to go into detail about it, because I'm scared that it will jinx it. In fact, I'm just going to stop now. :) Maybe I'll write more later.

Improbabilities

2009-02-15T09:56:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the world hands you a gift just at the exact moment you were expecting to fail. I moved to KC with no job but a 12 month apartment lease, and within a month I had 2 jobs and was on my feet. Crazy how taking a chance can make you grow by leaps and bounds. Having faith that 'everything will work out' actually has some validity, as it has worked for me every time so far.

I am sitting now in my living room, listening to H. stir in my bed because he woke up at 5 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep until 10. Needless to say, I was sleeping that entire time so now I am awake. We both try to be quiet to accommodate each other, since I have an L shaped studio so there are no walls and doors except for the bathroom.

Valentine's Day was awesome, H got me a rose/lilly bouquet and we drank with our buddies in the evening. One told me he could put new brakes on my car for $50, when it usually costs around $150-200. So that's awesome. Being the 'cool' girlfriend has finally given me something back. ;)

Going home again

2009-02-13T09:39:00.000-08:00

I never thought I would miss my hometown as much as I do. After going to college there, I couldn't wait to leave, and now there are some days where I just want to go breathe the Manhattan air again. It was a great place to grow up, but I've realized that I never would have learned to appreciate it if I hadn't left.

That's why visiting makes it so much more special.

What would you do?

2009-02-11T09:14:00.000-08:00

If you could personally do one thing to improve the economy, what would it be?

If I could, I would buy more. But for now, I am trying to earn more so my credit card, car, and student loan debt would go away. I'm on a 2 year plan to get rid of my debt using my freelance writing income, but student loans will take quite a bit longer.

Anyway, the economy hasn't really affected me personally yet, which I consider very lucky. We'll see what happens in the future!

What would you do with an extra hour?

2009-02-09T13:20:00.000-08:00

If I had one extra hour per day to do something, I would read more. I always told myself when I graduated that I would continuously be reading a book, now that I didn't have to do it for class. I have been doing pretty good, I've finished the entire Harry Potter series and the Twilight series. But I know that there is more writing that could be done, if I just made it more of a priority.

But some days, however, I think are long enough and don't need an extra hour. For example, all mondays. These should actually be made shorter, because Mondays are rarely good days and should be as short as possible. :)

1st Encounter

2009-02-06T06:57:00.001-08:00

I shuffled into the common room, grateful to be able to spend some time out of my bleached and sterialized hospital bed. The IV makes me feel like jerky movements are a death wish; one false move and I envision the needle slicing through my veins and coming out the other side of my arm.

But those are not the things you are supposed to think about in hospitals. You are supposed to think about getting better, not the likelihood that something else will go horribly wrong in the safest place possible. But people seem to forget how many die in hospitals. It might as well be a shooting range.

The TV is on but no one is really watching; night envelops us all even though it is 2p.m. I hear the Divorce Court narrator come on; he tells the predicament of the twisted, bitter faces of the couple on the screen. Their love has morphed into a battle between power and revenge- and they wonder why we are so depressed here?

I see a woman reading on the window ledge. The sunlight floats in around her shoulders; she looks like a dimly lit neon sign which is about to die. Instead of the regulation hospital gown, she is wearing nurse scrub pants and a ZZ Top t-shirt.

She looks up and squints at me; whether it is from the sunlight or confusion, I'll never know. I look down at the crumpled outline of my body through the cheap guazy cotton and I know this is not the time or place to be hitting on women.

The IV stand and I meander over to the least dirty-looking chair. I pretend to read a Dr. Suess book I found in between the cushion and armrest. The crusties in my eyes make it hard to read. I put the book down, sigh, and realize it may be an eternity before I am out of this place.

No one is speaking or trying to make conversation. We each have set up clear walls made out of our own misery and self-deprication, and the nurses are the only ones I make eye contact with. They assume I am still sick from having my stomach pumped, so they don't hassle me to come eat lunch with everyone else. This makes me feel better than any drug could.

My life does not flash before my eyes as I drift to sleep in the paisley arm chair. 'Green Eggs and Ham' buries itself into the side of my leg, but I welcome the bruise from the pointed corners. At least it means I could still be alive.

Birthdays

2009-02-04T07:22:00.000-08:00

I love birthdays. Even when they aren't mine. I like celebrating the day people came onto this earth, especially if they mean a lot to me. I feel thankful for their livelihood, I guess, because they make me happy.

Everyone deserves to have a good birthday. Maybe that's why we wrapped my co-worker's office supplies (like Jim did to Dwight in this season's office episode). We wanted her to smile, even when she had to unwrap every little thing because it was encased in polka dots and ribbon.

Pictures to come.

Today's 1 Minute Writer: Next

2009-02-03T13:57:00.000-08:00

Question: What do you hope is around the next bend in the road?

Answer: I guess I kind of talked about this in my last post. But in the future, I hope that there's a charming victorian house with a huge backyard, another (or more) dog to adopt because I just can't say no, and some worldwide vacations to humble me even more about how lucky of a life I have.

I also hope to be nearly debt free in 5 years, along with having a stable savings account.

But, for the most part, I just hope that 'around the next bend', I am still just as happy as I am right now. :)

Whoo Hoo!

2009-02-02T20:54:00.000-08:00

Can I have permission to geek out for a second? Can I just tell you how I'm totally turning into one of those people who "just freaking love life"? I am totally turning into someone who loves every second of every day, and I'm totally not used to it.

Besides H living in another city, I love KC. I like my full-time job (mostly my co-workers) and I love that I have a HUGE new freelance writing client that is going to allow me to pay off my looming credit card debt in 1.5 years (instead of 4)-- I am now able to triple the amount I can pay on my debt, and it just feels so....freeing. To have the satisfaction of knowing that you are working hard to make a better life for yourself, that everything you are doing will create new possibilities in the future...well...that's just beyond great.

OK, I will let my geek out come to a close. I just never thought I could feel as happy as I do now...what a great feeling.

Good night everyone!

Today's 1 Minute Writer: Junk Drawer Items

2009-02-02T07:10:00.000-08:00

I open my junk drawer, trying to find my Spiderman lunchbox, and I find my veggie peeler instead. A bird shaped handle, with the blade as the beak, I stare down at the utensil that was designed to make eating veggies fun. However, I have never used it. I've had it for 8 months, and it has sat in my drawer, as untainted as the day I recieved it, at my college graduation party.

I think that bird needs to fulfill its destiny. That is why I'm buying some veggies to peel when I go to the store tonight.

Today's 1-Minute Writer: Motivation @ Work

2009-02-01T20:13:00.000-08:00

I am motivated at work because I really like the people I work with, the work that I do, and how easy my life is now that I only work full-time (and don't have to go to college anymore).

Besides my day to day activities, I am motivated to do well at work because I want a successful career. I want to be known as someone who is a talented, dependable, and creative worker. Someone who everyone wants on their team.

Drunk Quote #1

2009-01-30T07:46:00.000-08:00

H's quote of the day (it was 3 a.m.): "Well I'm drunk and watching golf, so don't blame me for anything that happens. It's the Australian Open. I'm worldwide."

He also asked me to do his laundry if he gave me $5. LOL. I love him, even though he woke me up to ask me.

Other famous 'drunk' quotes by H:
"Well I love McDonald's and I love you, so I just thought I'd call."
"You need to relish in this. You're relish, and I'm ketchup, and he's mustard."

Fried Food Challenge

2009-01-26T14:54:00.000-08:00

So I've remained loyal to the no fried food pledge (minus some tortilla chips and a few french fries, but no chicken nuggets, which I love), and I've lost 4 pounds this week! I ate normally besides the fried food ban, and worked out 3 times, also normal for me.

I'm amazed! That means I only have 13 pounds left to reach my goal weight- what I weighed in high school.

Losing those 4 pounds made me realize how simple changes in my diet can really help my lose the extra weight and stay healthy.

Valentine's Day

2009-01-22T17:17:00.000-08:00

So, one of my favorite holidays is coming up- Valentine’s Day. I don’t know exactly why I like it so much, maybe it’s the valentine’s flowers I could potentially receive-- specifically the valentines roses that men usually give on this day.

I think too, red is one of my favorite colors and the theme of love is something nobody can hate. For some, it’s hard not to be bitter if they aren’t receiving valentine’s day gifts from a significant other, but even when I was single, I still enjoyed showing love to the important people in my life—I would send my mom a bouquet from 1-800 Flowers while she was work. I guess I just have a lot of love to give, and this is the perfect day to do it!

The Smell of Roses

2009-01-22T16:18:00.000-08:00

A co-worker of mine has some lilies hanging on off her cubicle wall and the smell has wafted over to our section of the office. It smells terrific!

Lillies are definitely my favorite flower, but I also love long stem roses. They have such a classic scent that will never get old- maybe that’s why it’s the best seller at flower giants like 1-800 Flowers.

I do think that a dozen red roses are the most classic of all the rose bouquets, but pink roses are also great for friends, or as a congratulations bouquet. I think flowers are a classic gift- they are always appreciated, no matter what the occasion is.

Obama

2009-01-22T06:56:00.000-08:00

I'm so elated that this is Obama's 2nd day in office. His inauguration speech was amazing, and I'm so proud of him and of our country for choosing to have hope instead of pessimism in their hearts.

I know that hope alone won't make our economy better or end the wars that are happening around the world, but (here comes the cheese) I believe that hope is the stepping stone towards taking the actions necessary to achieve greatness.

I think America has been humbled by our recent economy collapse and I only hope that when we begin to get "back on our feet", we don't forget the skrimping on gas and resources. I hope that we continue to conserve, recycle, and reuse, because that is the only way to keep our country and our earth sustainable.

Change in 2009

2009-01-20T13:14:00.000-08:00

Whether or not you are a democrat or republican, this is a historic day for the United States of America. We are living history right now, and I am so glad that I am here to witness it!

All this 'change' has definitely inspired me to become the person I always wanted to be, and I am continuing on my path of eating healthy, exercising well, and doing the things I love the most (i.e. writing, photography, spending time with family and friends).

To see some more election coverage, check out: http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/

To get inspired to stick to the changes you want to make, check out: http://www.stickk.com

United American Health Insurance

2009-01-15T19:55:00.000-08:00

I’ve always been so confused about insurance. I don’t know if I’m just basically over-thinking it, and it’s not that complicated, or if it really is as hard as I think it is. After browsing the United American Health Insurance website, I was seeing all the different types of insurance out there.

United American Health Insurance has life insurance, medical insurance, and a few different others. I don’t have insurance with United American Health Insurance, but I think that’s it’s great they offer resources for people to get their questions answered. People can call the toll-free number or ask questions when UAHI representatives come to their office. This makes easier for everyone to understand insurance.

Amos Tamam's Taxi Invention

2009-01-15T19:45:00.000-08:00

On New Year’s Eve, I got our taxi driver lost. I haven’t been in this city long, but I’m glad I had thought to get cash so I could give him a bigger tip. I know I’ve mentioned it before, Amos Tamam’s credit card machine in taxis hasn’t quite reached my city yet, so until then, I just have to remember to get cash.

We live in a time now though, that’s it’s so hard to remember to get cash. Amos Tamam was right on the money when he thought of a credit card machine in taxis, especially since people take them when they aren’t in the right mind to be driving. Amos Tamam was right on the “money"-- literally-- when he thought of credit card taxi machines. I’m sure taxi drivers will get more tips that way!

Choices from Shasta Pools

2009-01-15T19:35:00.000-08:00

I think once I remodel that Victorian house I was talking about earlier, I don’t know if that would look good with a pool in the back, but I think that if I bought a less vintage or less unique house, I think a pool or hot tub would be great. Shasta Pools has a huge selection of pool designs and plans that are so fun too look through.

Shasta Pools has a lot of options that I’m sure would make the option of having a pool more affordable then I think. There’s only one drawback to having a pool, whether it’s from Shasta Pools or not- the maintenance of it. I would hate cleaning it every week! I’m sure that if I had enough money to have a pool, I could hire someone looking to make a little extra money to clean it for me.

Paul Offit's Vaccine Research

2009-01-15T19:14:00.000-08:00

When I was a child, I dreaded going to the doctor to get my vaccinations. Even though I was really young, I still remember some of them- where I was, what the doctor looked like, and how much my arm hurt. I’m glad there are nice doctors like Paul Offit out there who are trying to research and make vaccines more understandable.

I know that kids must have them in order to go to school, but the dread of having a needle going into your arm is just terrifying. Paul Offit is doing a lot of research to find more effective vaccines. Who knows, maybe someday Paul Offit will figure out a vaccine that you only have to have once- without any boosters as you get older.

Remodeling with K-Designers

2009-01-15T19:04:00.000-08:00

I have been looking at houses lately. Even though I can’t really afford one (yet), I really wish I could get one. Even a fixer-upper that could be remodeled could be nice—not spending money on the actual house and then using a good amount of money on a remodeling company like K-Designers might be worth it. K-Designers could take an old Victorian house and completely remodel it to exactly what I wanted.

I know that I could save a lot of money if I did some of the work by myself, but seeing as how I don’t have that kind of experience, I think I’d be a lot more comfortable having professionals like K-Designers do it.

Big Investments With Andrew Wilshire

2009-01-15T18:52:00.000-08:00

I’ve always made sure the H knows that I absolutely cannot stand yellow gold. After reading the blog of Andrew Wilshire, I’ve learned a lot more about precious metals and how much they are worth. Even though I’ll never want a yellow gold engagement ring, no matter how much they’re worth, Andrew Wilshire has made me more interested in the value of precious metals.

I know that an engagement ring is an important investment, and that just makes it more overwhelming. Having a financial expert like Andrew Wilshire who knows about how to handle important investments like jewelry is important to have on hand. Being smart about big purchases is important!

Wangethi Mwangi and His African Food

2009-01-15T18:38:00.000-08:00

Now that I’ve researched African music, I decided to look into African food as well. I happened to stumble upon Wangethi Mwangi’s blog about African food. Food in other countries is so different than food I’m used to. I’d like to branch out and try new things- Wangethi Mwangi’s blog has some easy African food recipes that seem pretty simple to make.

Most of Wangethi Mwangi’s recipes use either beans and/or corn. Since I like these two things, I’m sure I could give African food a try. I don’t know if there are any African restaurants nearby, so I might have to make it at home.

Nachshon Draiman's Tennis Blog

2009-01-15T18:27:00.000-08:00

In my daydreams of Spring weather, I’ve been thinking about other activities that I’d like to do once I can be outside for an extended period of time and not have limbs freezing off. One of these activities that I tried in high school is tennis. I was reading Nachshon Draiman’s tennis blog, and it made me realize how much I wanted to try tennis again.

Nachshon Draiman talks about how tennis is as much of a mental sport as it is a physical one. You have to size up your opponent and mentally prepared yourself for the match. Nachshon Draiman also brings up a good point- tennis is a lot different than just running or jogging, and it would add variety to my workouts.

Consolidated Resorts in Hawaii

2009-01-15T15:32:00.000-08:00

I really cannot get Consolidated Resorts out of my head, especially in this frigid weather. A trip to the Consolidated Resorts location in Hawaii would be great right about now! The long plane ride would definitely be worth all that beautiful sand, sun, and view! I wish I were rich enough that I could take my entire family to Consolidated Resorts in Kauai.

Wouldn’t Christmas be great there? White sand instead of white snow! I keep telling my mom we need to go on a cruise or some other fun vacation for a holiday. When I win the lottery, I will be sure to take my family on a great vacation- they all deserve it!

Mohammed Babangida

2009-01-15T15:24:00.000-08:00

When I was deciding what I wanted to major in in college, law school crossed my mind for an insane second. But, law school takes a lot of time and an analytical mind, which I feel like I don’t have a lot of. Mohammed Babangida had the dedication to become a lawyer, and then Mohammed Babangida went on in life to accomplish a great many number of things.

I think that a law degree does several other things besides make you a lawyer. I think it definitely opens up a lot of doors. You can serve on a number of influential panels and committees on topics you care about (Mohammed Babangida does this), and use your experience and knowledge to get almost any job you want. Having a law degree also teaches you to think objectively and argue correctly to get what you want. This is a helpful perk!

Ideas from Tim Arel

2009-01-15T15:15:00.000-08:00

I know I’ve mentioned him before, those out there in the blogosphere, but I think Tim Arel is definitely in the right business- condos and property management. Before, I mentioned that I looked up to Tim Arel because he was a property manager, but I really think I’d like to take it a step further and actually own some property. Because after a while, it just starts paying for itself.

I know there is always maintenance to do, but owning property can be very profitable. And with owner associations like ones Tim Arel is involved in, sometimes maintenance services come with paying the annual membership fee. And, if I didn’t want to rent it out, and I was really rich, a vacation home in Santa Fe or Mexico would suit me just fine.

Joseph Odindo's Musical Influence

2009-01-15T15:03:00.000-08:00

I have realized that I have such a wide spectrum in taste of music. Joseph Odindo has a blog that talks about different types of African music, and after listening to some myself, I’m glad I found Joseph Odindo’s blog. The rhythms of the drums are soothing, yet powerful, and I can totally understand how music is such a vital component in so many people’s lives.

Music can make you feel things you’ve never felt before. Joseph Odindo claims that Africa was the birthplace of music, and I’m inclined to think he’s right. The drum rhythms and beats in most music can be traced back to origins of music they’ve been playing in Africa for hundreds of years.

Frank Hanna's words of wisdom

2009-01-15T14:56:00.000-08:00

I know that even though I complain about money, and the debt that I’m in, I think that overall, I am pretty lucky. Frank Hanna once said, “money is a gift from God”, and I’m just starting to realize the truth of his words.

Frank Hanna also said, "our actions with money should incorporate wisdom, and not just reflexes." I believe that is so true! Frank Hanna believes that money should be respected, which is something I need to work on. My extra money should be going towards my looming debt that I worry about so much, not the new pair of shoes I don’t need.

I think I’m really going to start focusing on using my money towards debt. I’ve picked up some more freelance gigs, and I have 2 extra paychecks a year that would really help out in that department as well. I bet before I know it, I will be living a debt-free life!

American Tax Relief

2009-01-15T14:45:00.000-08:00

As tax season comes around, it makes me more and more nervous. With 5 W-2’s and possibly some W-9’s in the mix as well, it will be difficult to do them myself. I also think about, what if I (or my tax preparer) messes up? What if the tax preparer finds a huge mistake I made last year?

I always worry about having to pay back taxes. I know there are places like American Tax Relief that are there if I mess up, but it is still always in the back of my mind.

When I was visiting the American Tax Relief website, I learned something I didn’t know. The IRS is willing to settle and compromise monies owed to them. American Tax Relief is doing a good service by helping people settle their debts against the government.

Yay!

2009-01-15T07:47:00.001-08:00

So, I emailed my boss at about 11:30 last night and told him that I would be coming in late to work this morning because I was having trouble sleeping (which is very true). Wednesday, I woke up and it seriously felt like I hadn't even slept at all...and I was exhausted all day.

I have been thinking about it, and I believe that my exhaustedness lasts in cycles- and I am only 'awake' either during or right after my meal times. This has led me to deduce that the food I am eating is not sustaining my body for the entire day, making it impossible to maintain a consistent level of energy.

Anyway, I set my alarm for 8:10 a.m. this morning and went to bed. And what do you know, I woke up naturally at 7:57 a.m. Wake up without an alarm clock is seriously the best feeling in the world-- I'm never tired, and I'm instantly alert.

So, I have decided some action plans that I'm going to try to take to make my life a little less exhausting.

First, I am going to get a new alarm clock (Charlie ate my other one- what a coincidence) that wakes you up gradually- that may be less harsh than a traditional one, more like a natural 'wake up'. Secondly, I am banning myself from eating anything fried. It's been my deep dark secret for a long while, my love affair with chicken nuggets or anything with the word "breaded" in the description. I feel like now it's time to bring it to light, realize how disgusting it is, and come to terms with the fact that yes, my stomach is hurting because of what I just consumed (french fries, nachos, wings), not because I'm "just full".

We'll see how I do.

Writing

2009-01-11T20:35:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I think that I'll never run out of words to say or write, and other times, I'm so completely at a loss for words and the beauty and possibility around me that I think I'll never be able to speak again.

It is such a beautiful feeling, to think about your circumstances and feel hopeful for once, to know that you have the entire world at your feet and only you can do something about it.

New Year's Resolution

2009-01-07T13:50:00.000-08:00

New Years resolutions are probably just as cliche as kissing your sweetheart at midnight, but I still end up making them. So this year, I've made 2 resolutions- to write more, both in my blogs and for extra income, and to start getting healthier.

I haven't picked up a waitressing shift at the restaurant I 'freelance' at for almost 2 months and this is because I have been doing ok with picking up enough 'freelance' writing jobs online to be fine financially. Of course, I'm still riding on my large income from my Yelp Scouting days because I got my last check in the beginning of December. It will definitely be interesting to see how it all pans out once I get into March, April, and so on.

As for my second resolution, it seems like every other week, New Years or not, I found myself making a resolution to be healthier. This year I've decided to try a new approach-- just being honest with myself. First, I will always drink pop. Yes, I'm aware of how unhealthy it is. But I'm also aware of how amazing it tastes. :)

I will also never give up my favorite foods, like cookies, Panda Express orange chicken, ice cream, etc. Sure, I don't have to have them every week, but I have found that I'm much for successful when I give into the random urges I have about once a week for something not-so-healthy than trying to ignore it by eating something else. I'd say about 90% of the time, I eat more calories in food that is 'healthier' instead of just eating what I wanted in the first place. Examples- 3 bags of 100-calorie pack Chips Ahoy cookie wafers instead of 1 regular-sized sugar cookie with milk (which is usually about 200 calories); or a small side of onion rings at Burger King (250 calories) instead of a larger salad (with dressing, can sometimes get up to 700 calories!). So, I'm making another "get healthy" resolution for 2009. But this time it includes eating in moderation, giving into my cravings (as long as they are for my favorite foods and are only about once per week), and exercising at least 3 times per week because of how great I feel afterwards.

We'll see how it goes.

Arizona Oasis

2008-12-18T14:30:00.000-08:00

Swimming pools are big business in Arizona, where the yearly precipitation rate is actually rising because of the amount of evaporation that comes from all the private residential pools. Leaving the Phoenix airport, it’s crazy to look out your window and see everyone’s backyard- they all have little blue bodies of water in them!

Shasta Pools in Arizona is the world’s largest privately held pool builder. It’s an impressive fact- they stay really busy almost year-round. I believe my aunt and uncle, who live in Phoenix, had Shasta Pools build their heated outdoor pool, and it’s really great. You can change the temperature and it has an automatic built-in cleaning system that cleans the pool using high-powered jets and vents.

I think that if I lived in the middle of the desert, I would certainly have a pool too! Phoenix (and Arizona in general) is pretty, but it’s wickedly hot, especially in the summer!

Anti-Antibiotics

2008-12-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

There is so much to learn about vaccines and what they can do to protect us. It is amazing to think that some people (like Paul Offit) have dedicated their entire lives to making sure that children and adults have the vaccines we need in order to be protected from infectious diseases.

Paul Offit has written many books, most notably (from my point of view), ‘Breaking the Antibiotic Habit’. In college, whenever I would have a cold, or a sinus infection, I would go to our college’s free health care clinic and they barely examined me before shoving a prescription for amoxicillin in my hand. But antibiotics don’t heal everything, and can in fact make your immune system worse. So, this last time I had a cold, about a week ago, I didn’t take any prescription medicine for it- only Sudafed. My cold was gone in 6 days, and now I feel great. What’s more, my immune system knows how to deal with that type of cold, and hopefully will be able to fight it off before it totally takes over my body!

International Education

2008-12-18T13:32:00.000-08:00

It’s so weird to think about going to school in another country. But I think it’s harder for Americans to comprehend than it is for those in other countries because people want to come to the USA for college. Mohammed Babangida went to Harvard Business School before eventually moving back to Nigeria, Africa. Before that, Mohammed Babangida went to high school, and then university in Switzerland where he got his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

I think that would be awesome to have an international education. I think that one of my biggest regrets from college is not studying abroad for a summer or semester. I should have gone to Spain to work on my Spanish; or Greece- it looks so beautiful!

Owning a Business

2008-12-18T12:58:00.000-08:00

There are so many business opportunities out there, especially if you have an entrepreneurial spirit, like Jared Metz does. Jared Metz has had his hands in several businesses, from organizing comedy festivals to creating a program to provide the swag bags at celebrity award shows. What a fun job that must have been!

If I was going to start a business, I definitely think that it would be a freelance writing or media production business. I could never do anything in the financial or banking industries, like Jared Metz is doing now- helping businesses get off their feet with loans.

Anyway, I guess if I wasn’t doing freelancing, I would own a bookstore- that would be my dream job. Unfortunately, I don’t really know a lot about owning a business- I think I’m going to take some classes at Park this spring semester about marketing and entrepreneurship so I’m more educated about business. And one day, you can come visit me in my bookstore, where I’m sitting behind the counter writing the next great American novel!

Vacation Living

2008-12-18T11:52:00.000-08:00

With this cold weather, I’ve been dreaming about taking another vacation now more than ever. Since H and I have talked about getting married, I’ve thought about our honeymoon, too. I’m sure he wants to go somewhere tropical, like the Consolidated Resorts location in Hawaii, or the Consolidated Resorts location in Orlando.

I think a cruise would be fun too, but maybe only to the Caribbean, and then they can let us out on the island so we can explore- I’m a total tourist whenever I travel. H likes to relax, but I like to explore and go to all the cheesy landmarks and tourist traps (for the most part- I know a gimmick when I see one though!).

My aunt worked on a tourist glass-bottomed tour boat in Florida when she was in her 20s- I’m sure that would have been an awesome and fun job, just to have for a summer or two. I’ve always thought it would be fun to do that or to work at a beach resort just for the experience. Consolidated Resorts has a jobs website- but I don’t know how competitive it is to get a job there.

Maybe in my next life, I’ll go work in Hawaii or the Bahamas for awhile. ;)

More Africa Stuff

2008-12-17T16:59:00.000-08:00

After doing some exploring, I came across the website of Wangethi Mwangi, the editorial director of Nation Media Group, where Linus in my last post also works. Being an Editorial Director of any famous publishing company is certainly a dream job of mine!

I love editing and writing, and I believe that it just takes time, experience, and a whole lot of networking to become recognized in this field. People can't climb the corporate ladder without knowing people who believe in them and their work. Wangethi Mwangi was in journalism before becoming Editorial Director, which was my original major when I started college. However, it is hard work to become a recognized journalist. A lot of long hours and boring assignments!

Anyway, maybe I'll become the American version of Wangethi Mwangi someday- an important Editorial Director who gives other hard-working passionate writers a shot at the big time! :)

Media Around the World

2008-12-17T16:37:00.000-08:00

Even though I'm in the media industry, I don't ever give much thought to the way media works around the world. However, after reading about Linus Gitahi, it has made me think more about media in other countries, like in Africa.

I guess it is more than a little smug of me to just assume there isn't as much media in other countries like there is in the United States, but there is. I guess I don't even think about how U.S. Companies and our media has influence in other countries too. (For example, Linus Gitahi worked at GlaxoSmithKline, an American pharmaceuticals company, before beginning his position at Nation Media Group.)

I'd really like to learn more about the media's influence in other countries. A coworker of mine worked at a magazine in England- but I bet English publications are pretty similar to the United States'. Nation Media Group, where Linus Gitahi is the CEO, has 8 publications. I think it'd be really interesting to see what Africa's newspapers are like.

Properity Ownership = Fast Track to Wealth?

2008-12-17T15:26:00.000-08:00

With the economy the way it is, I’ve often thought about what a great profit property management must be. You can be from any background (like Tim Arel) and still be successful, as long as you get a good deal on a house and know some stuff about renting and proper landlord procedures. Tim Arel studied Economics, so that probably would come in handy a lot more than my English degree. :)

I think it’s just a lot of networking and knowing the right people too. Tim Arel is a member of several committees and organizations, so that really helps visibility in the property management community.

Maybe, eventually in my life, I’ll be established (and debt-free!) so I can own properties and make a profit. We’ll see!

Finally- Credit Cards in Cabs!

2008-12-17T11:04:00.000-08:00

Whenever I’m forced to take a cab, it’s usually not by choice. It’s because I have no other alternative- mostly because I’m with other people who want to take a cab or I have been drinking and do not want to drive. Besides the added cost, I also don’t like taking cabs because I very rarely have cash and don’t want to go to an ATM. But, a man by the name of Amos Tamam has created technology that will allow cab drivers to take credit cards.

I figured that this has been a long time coming, but I’m guessing that the security of mobile credit swiping was most likely people’s top concerns. Amos Tamam has found a way to make it work.

Amos Tamam has a truly amazing story as well- he came to the United States as an immigrant and is literally living the American Dream. I’ve always heard stories about immigrants that come to New York City and are expected to learn the streets overnight in order to be cab drivers. It amazes me, as I still don’t know all the streets and highways of my metro! Anyway, I definitely hope his technology works and we’ll soon be seeing it in cabs all over!

Christmas Cheer

2008-12-15T16:52:00.000-08:00

Picture is from www.pjlighthouse.com

If I had a bigger apartment, I would definitely have a Christmas party. There are so many great ideas on this website I found- Celebrations.com. They have a lot of Christmas Party Games, including a great fun one with Christmas Songs where you use different words to describe the titles of songs- for instance, "Deck the Halls" becomes "Adorn the Vestibules" (That one is pretty hard, but you get the picture). I am certainly one of those people who force people into creating their own holiday cheer!

Besides games, they also have a lot of Christmas Decorations that are really cute ideas- candy cane theme, natural 'flora' theme, a nativity theme.

When H. and I move into our new apartment next year, we'll definitely have to have a Christmas party. You can never miss an excuse to decorate in themes! Christmas is my favorite holiday, because people are so much nicer and willing to share during the season. If only the world was this nice year-round. I guess it just gets me in the mood to celebrate.

I need a vacation...

2008-12-15T14:11:00.000-08:00

Even though I just went to Las Vegas last week, I'm already looking for my next possible place to vacation. My top choices as for right now are Wyoming, New Mexico, and Florida.

I think you should go from saving from vacation to vacation because traveling to different places has made me respect our country and its beauty so much more. I want to go to Wyoming because most of it is so untouched. I want to horseback ride through the mountains and go camping, with no one around. I think I'm looking towards New Mexico for the same reasons. I like how untouched the desert is, and how serene it must be to look across and see cacti for miles.

I eventually want to go back to Las Vegas, but I don't think I could ever live there. I was looking at Consolidated Resorts' website, and they have a great newer Tahitian resort right on the strip. It's supposed to make you feel like you are in Tahiti, and it looks like a lot of fun, and more affordable than some of the more popular hotels on the strip.Interestingly enough, Consolidated Resorts also has 'vacation ownership' properties in Florida. Being able to have a vacation property is definitely a goal of mine. It would be great to have a place to a get away to!