I'm planning on making this short and sweet since I am EXHAUSTED from my vacation and will be going back to work tomorrow morning. I just want to welcome the new year and hope that it feels welcomed here. I see so much potential and I'm counting on the fact that if I treat it well it will treat me well in return. :)
One of my best friends owns the computer game The Sims and we have SO much fun playing with it and building fancy mansions and filling it to the brim with awesome toys like flat screens, swimming pools, laptops, pianos, guitars and books. Sims lead a great life, especially if you know the cheat codes and can get an UNLIMITED supply of money. You can even plant a money tree in the backyard and pick money right off the tree. Their life is so easy. You see something, punch in the right code and voila! You've got yourself a multi-million dollar home filled with all sorts of perks!
Over the past few days I've been working on my finance plan for the upcoming year. Sadly enough, an unlimited supply of cash is NOT a realistic thing. I've got GREAT parents who taught me excellent money skills. The most important thing they taught me was NEVER SPEND MORE THAN YOU MAKE!!!! This concept has been drilled into my head my entire life and so (thankfully) it's second nature to me now. I'm currently reading Dave Ramsey's book "The Total Money Makeover" and trying to make plans for my future. (The book is amazing! Go ahead and check it out!) Having finished school debt-free (Hallelujah) and being blessed with a job has made me more aware of my current and future financial situation. I am not particularly money savvy except for the concept of never spending more than I make.
How easy it would be to pretend that I have a limitless cash cheat code for life and walk into the dealer and pick an expensive car. I'd get the car that I'd want with all the perks and my color of preference. (My used car is bright BYU blue...not my first choice, but it lends itself nicely to the name "The Blueberry Muffler".) However, not only would I walk out of the dealership with the car of my dreams, I'd also leave with thousands of dollars waiting to be repaid. There's no "off" or "pause" button when it comes to life. If you're willing to go without a few conveniences while you save, it all pays off in the end.
So thanks to my mum and dad for all they've taught me about money. I'm looking forward to becoming more money savvy this year. (*Disclaimer* Life is not all about money, but it never hurts to be prepared.) For now, let's dream big and go build a new Sims mansion next to the ocean while we drive our used cars, shop for bargains and put our money away in the bank for a rainy day.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
A Last Hurrah for 2010
For the past few weeks I've been so wrapped up in Christmas and family and work that I never gave a second thought for the ending year. I suddenly realized that today is the VERY last day of 2010 and I was surprised at how much I'm going to miss this year. 2010 was good to me. I reconnected with friends, graduated from college, got a job in my major (that I really, REALLY like in case I haven't said that enough), saw great movies like Tangled, Megamind and Miss Potter. Some of my new favorite books were discovered in 2010 like The Bonesetter's Daughter, Eat Pray Love, The Percy Jackson books, Clockwork Angel and Cross My Heart (which I got to edit). I discovered some new favorite artists like A Fine Frenzy and Ingrid Michaelson while re-discovering old favorites like Stephanie Mabey.
I met some great goals I set for myself and since I already talked about them in past blog posts I won't bore you with the details again. All in all, 2010 was a really good year for me and I will miss it. Of course, not all of it was pink sparkles and rainbows, but for the most part it got me where I was headed.
Now that the question of graduation and jobs is finished and done with, it's time to do some fun things. I actually get to stay at my job longer than the 4 months between semesters which means I can start saving my money for trips and such. (ITALY THIS FALL!!!!!!), I am planning on moving out of my house and into a place of my own, I'm currently looking for a car, and of course another couple of 5K's are in order. (The running kind, not the money kind, although that certainly would take care of me for a while.)I'm a firm believer in having some sort of goal to work towards. If you aren't looking forward to anything then your days just all sort of blur together and it's hard to get up everyday.
I know that making resolutions at New Year's is traditional, but why limit yourself to just one day? There are countless opportunities during the rest of the 364 days to make a goal for yourself. It doesn't have to be grand or outrageous like mastering the art of french cooking. Pick one or two fancy recipes and make something spectacular. I think we get so caught up in the hype and if we fail then we feel like we have to wait until the next New Year's Day to make another goal. Challenge yourself this year and make goals throughout the year. If you fail: DON'T GET DISCOURAGED! Look at your goal, really decide if it's realistic and then adjust it accordingly. Many of us (myself DEFINITELY included) think that if we fail then that's it and we shouldn't try again. WRONG! Keep trying! The harder you work at something the sweeter your final victory. If you have to start over multiple times in order to meet your personal goal then DO IT! It shows that you really want something enough to pursue it. I believe that you bow to true defeat only when you give up. So keep trying, no matter what happens. If you only make the resolution and expect it to happen all by yourself you'll be sadly disappointed at the end of the year. I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Miss Tick in closing, "If you trust in yourself and believe in your dreams and follow your star you’ll still be beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren’t so lazy. Goodbye."
I met some great goals I set for myself and since I already talked about them in past blog posts I won't bore you with the details again. All in all, 2010 was a really good year for me and I will miss it. Of course, not all of it was pink sparkles and rainbows, but for the most part it got me where I was headed.
Now that the question of graduation and jobs is finished and done with, it's time to do some fun things. I actually get to stay at my job longer than the 4 months between semesters which means I can start saving my money for trips and such. (ITALY THIS FALL!!!!!!), I am planning on moving out of my house and into a place of my own, I'm currently looking for a car, and of course another couple of 5K's are in order. (The running kind, not the money kind, although that certainly would take care of me for a while.)I'm a firm believer in having some sort of goal to work towards. If you aren't looking forward to anything then your days just all sort of blur together and it's hard to get up everyday.
I know that making resolutions at New Year's is traditional, but why limit yourself to just one day? There are countless opportunities during the rest of the 364 days to make a goal for yourself. It doesn't have to be grand or outrageous like mastering the art of french cooking. Pick one or two fancy recipes and make something spectacular. I think we get so caught up in the hype and if we fail then we feel like we have to wait until the next New Year's Day to make another goal. Challenge yourself this year and make goals throughout the year. If you fail: DON'T GET DISCOURAGED! Look at your goal, really decide if it's realistic and then adjust it accordingly. Many of us (myself DEFINITELY included) think that if we fail then that's it and we shouldn't try again. WRONG! Keep trying! The harder you work at something the sweeter your final victory. If you have to start over multiple times in order to meet your personal goal then DO IT! It shows that you really want something enough to pursue it. I believe that you bow to true defeat only when you give up. So keep trying, no matter what happens. If you only make the resolution and expect it to happen all by yourself you'll be sadly disappointed at the end of the year. I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Miss Tick in closing, "If you trust in yourself and believe in your dreams and follow your star you’ll still be beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren’t so lazy. Goodbye."
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Creativity...
Soooo....totally snowed in today. Not a joke. I waded through the snow this morning to get to our age-ed van, NOT looking forward to the roads and to my surprise all of the doors are frozen shut. I pulled and pulled and pulled. I even got out a knife and tried to pry open the doors. (Yes, I do realize in retrospect that using a knife on a slippery surface was not the smartest of ideas.) However, nothing worked. I looked at the road filled with snow, checked the traffic report about all the slide-offs and semi-truck accidents on the freeway and texted my boss. And That is why I am sitting at home instead of at work. Which is WHY I am writing a blog post. See, I keep promising myself that I'll write one over the weekend, but weekends are for friends and laundry. After sitting and staring at a computer screen for 8 hours at work I find that I don't really WANT to get back on the computer when I get home. Go figure eh?
Basically the snowpocalypse has begun. Time to curl up with a Snuggie and a good book...or movie. As for me I'm sticking in Jodhaa Akbar. (The link is to the trailer.) It is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. The cinematography is outstanding and there are no special effects. When you see hundreds of people running towards each other there really are hundreds of people there. The budget must have been gigantic. It is a very visually captivating film. (The beautiful men don't hurt it either.)
I am constantly amazed at what people can create whether it's beautiful movies, or artwork or crafts. Check out some of the artists at Deviantart.com or Etsy.com. I love what Deiter F. Uchtdorf tells us in this message about our ability to create. (This message was given at a gathering for women, but I believe it applies to men as well.) There are few things more satisfying then standing back and admiring a craft or being proud of a killer paper you wrote for school. And yes, some people are blessed with crazy amazing talents like David Hirschfelder (the composer for the score of Australia. Seriously, go check out Stampede). But I don't think we're here to compare ourselves to other's accomplishments. We can use other's accomplishments as motivation I suppose. I can look at great piece of artwork and be inspired to learn how to do that myself. I think we're here to uplift and inspire others to be the best they can be. Let's face it. Life is tough. I was talking to someone yesterday and asked how they were doing. They responded with, "Am I living? Then I have problems, just like everyone else." It's so true. Some struggle with emotional issues, others with physical issues, but I know it's all for a reason. Our creativity is one way we can deal with our trials. Have you ever created something you were really proud of?
Basically the snowpocalypse has begun. Time to curl up with a Snuggie and a good book...or movie. As for me I'm sticking in Jodhaa Akbar. (The link is to the trailer.) It is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. The cinematography is outstanding and there are no special effects. When you see hundreds of people running towards each other there really are hundreds of people there. The budget must have been gigantic. It is a very visually captivating film. (The beautiful men don't hurt it either.)
I am constantly amazed at what people can create whether it's beautiful movies, or artwork or crafts. Check out some of the artists at Deviantart.com or Etsy.com. I love what Deiter F. Uchtdorf tells us in this message about our ability to create. (This message was given at a gathering for women, but I believe it applies to men as well.) There are few things more satisfying then standing back and admiring a craft or being proud of a killer paper you wrote for school. And yes, some people are blessed with crazy amazing talents like David Hirschfelder (the composer for the score of Australia. Seriously, go check out Stampede). But I don't think we're here to compare ourselves to other's accomplishments. We can use other's accomplishments as motivation I suppose. I can look at great piece of artwork and be inspired to learn how to do that myself. I think we're here to uplift and inspire others to be the best they can be. Let's face it. Life is tough. I was talking to someone yesterday and asked how they were doing. They responded with, "Am I living? Then I have problems, just like everyone else." It's so true. Some struggle with emotional issues, others with physical issues, but I know it's all for a reason. Our creativity is one way we can deal with our trials. Have you ever created something you were really proud of?
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
FRIENDS! Beautiful, faithful FRIENDS! Ah...How I have missed you. It has been too long has it not? Where have I been? Well...long story short I accomplished a vast majority on my "to-do list for the summer. SMOKED the Mt. Timp hike (I went with the Immies and the rangers were impressed how fast we made it up the trail), worked in the home garden, ran the 24th of July 5k in 42 minutes-woot woot!, welcomed my sister home from her mission AND saw her get married to a truly WONDERFUL guy, will NOT be going to grad school in Fall of 2011 because I...GOT A JOB THAT RELATES TO MY ENGLISH MAJOR! (Which means I'll need to re-vamp my blog title. Dang it!)
So...even though I haven't written in FOREVER (8 months) I did you a favor. See, the GOOD thing about me not writing is that YOU, dear readers, did not have to listen to me whine and moan and complain about being jobless and living at home in the basement. (I did enough of that in my REAL journal. After re-reading it the other day I am seriously contemplating burning it. It's kind of a downer the past few months. Not good at all.)
SO...My job. I actually have two. I am employed for a publishing firm and I actually get to edit NOVELS!!!!!!! It is GREAT!!! I am doing what I love. I do that whenever they call me in and for my 2nd full time job I am an SEO content writer for Overstock.com and no, I do not work from home. I get a desk and I work with fabulous people and I LOVE this job. As an SEO writer I write articles about the products we sell for the website, how-to articles and occasionally, blog entries for Overstock. Here's the link to my latest O Blog. The best thing about this job is that I got it on my own. I had SO many people offer to talk to someone they knew, or pushed me in crazy directions while I was looking. I know they were just trying to be helpful, but I really wanted to do it on my own and I did. I found the job posting, applied, interviewed and got this job all on my own without any inside help whatsoever. (The help I got from above is an entirely different matter.)
Anyway, so that's the big news of the day/week/year. :) I can't wait to get back into this full time and write! Believe me, I have PLENTY to talk about.
Anyway, love to all of you! I'm just so happy to be back...oh, and the fact that it is CHRISTMAS TIME once again! Do you have all your holiday shopping done? Are you waiting for the last minute because you don't know what to get yet or for the thrill of it? Can't wait to hear from you!
EM
P.S. Because you're here I want to give you a gift. Here you are. A clip to brighten your day:
You're China!
So...even though I haven't written in FOREVER (8 months) I did you a favor. See, the GOOD thing about me not writing is that YOU, dear readers, did not have to listen to me whine and moan and complain about being jobless and living at home in the basement. (I did enough of that in my REAL journal. After re-reading it the other day I am seriously contemplating burning it. It's kind of a downer the past few months. Not good at all.)
SO...My job. I actually have two. I am employed for a publishing firm and I actually get to edit NOVELS!!!!!!! It is GREAT!!! I am doing what I love. I do that whenever they call me in and for my 2nd full time job I am an SEO content writer for Overstock.com and no, I do not work from home. I get a desk and I work with fabulous people and I LOVE this job. As an SEO writer I write articles about the products we sell for the website, how-to articles and occasionally, blog entries for Overstock. Here's the link to my latest O Blog. The best thing about this job is that I got it on my own. I had SO many people offer to talk to someone they knew, or pushed me in crazy directions while I was looking. I know they were just trying to be helpful, but I really wanted to do it on my own and I did. I found the job posting, applied, interviewed and got this job all on my own without any inside help whatsoever. (The help I got from above is an entirely different matter.)
Anyway, so that's the big news of the day/week/year. :) I can't wait to get back into this full time and write! Believe me, I have PLENTY to talk about.
Anyway, love to all of you! I'm just so happy to be back...oh, and the fact that it is CHRISTMAS TIME once again! Do you have all your holiday shopping done? Are you waiting for the last minute because you don't know what to get yet or for the thrill of it? Can't wait to hear from you!
EM
P.S. Because you're here I want to give you a gift. Here you are. A clip to brighten your day:
You're China!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
What happens next?
And THAT ladies and gentlemen is the million dollar question! That's right! I just came from my LAST CLASS at BYU-I. I only have one final left and then it's over and done with. My time at college will be over...for now. My future goal is to start Grad School in Fall of 2011.
But as the for the immediate future? Not really any amazing or impressive plans. But I wanted to share my list.
What I'll be doing Summer of 2010:
Hike to Timp Cave: Hopefully more than once. Our canyon is SO beautiful and I've desperately missed those mountains.
Plant and harvest our family garden: My mum has been the main driving force behind this project in the past, and she's counting on my help this year...since I'll have NOTHING TO DO!!! :)
Finish our firepit in the backyard: This project was originally slated for completion in summer of '09, but we're determined to get it done this summer. Yay for roasted marshmallows and Starbursts!
Build a bookshelf for all my LOVELY books: (with Dad's help of course!)These poor books have been in boxes for the past few years and it's high time to let them out! I'm somewhat of a book junkie. I have quite a large collection, and plan on accumulating many more this summer!
Run in either the Provo or Salt Lake City 5K: No, this is not a joke. I've been exercising and training for the past few months and it's coming along steadily. I'll keep y'all updated!
Welcome my sister home from her mission!: I know that I've mentioned her before, but I just can't wait! She was originally slated to return home April 12th-5 days from now! But she volunteered to stay an extra 6 weeks to help train the new sister missionaries coming to South Korea. I love her and have MISSED HER! WE haven't seen each other since February 2008!
Relearn my piano concertos: I promised myself that I would keep learning new songs, but I think I'll just take baby steps and re-learn my old pieces before I tackle anything else. Heck, maybe I'll just take piano lessons again.
Relearn how to play the violin: And I mean this in every sense of the word. I haven't really played since high school. Shame on me. But in my (weak) defense, I'm more of an orchestra player, and not a soloist.
And of course, job hunt. :)
I'm also looking forward to getting to know my family again. All six of us will be living at home this summer. We haven't all been together like this since January of 2005 (which is when I first started college).
But one thing I'm REALLY looking forward to, and have missed so bad it hurt is the SUN! It's still snowing here in April, and hopefully when we head south there will be some warmth to be found. I NEED the sun!
And I love you all! Drop me a line! I can't wait to see all my friends again! Have such a wonderful day!
Love Em
But as the for the immediate future? Not really any amazing or impressive plans. But I wanted to share my list.
What I'll be doing Summer of 2010:
Hike to Timp Cave: Hopefully more than once. Our canyon is SO beautiful and I've desperately missed those mountains.
Plant and harvest our family garden: My mum has been the main driving force behind this project in the past, and she's counting on my help this year...since I'll have NOTHING TO DO!!! :)
Finish our firepit in the backyard: This project was originally slated for completion in summer of '09, but we're determined to get it done this summer. Yay for roasted marshmallows and Starbursts!
Build a bookshelf for all my LOVELY books: (with Dad's help of course!)These poor books have been in boxes for the past few years and it's high time to let them out! I'm somewhat of a book junkie. I have quite a large collection, and plan on accumulating many more this summer!
Run in either the Provo or Salt Lake City 5K: No, this is not a joke. I've been exercising and training for the past few months and it's coming along steadily. I'll keep y'all updated!
Welcome my sister home from her mission!: I know that I've mentioned her before, but I just can't wait! She was originally slated to return home April 12th-5 days from now! But she volunteered to stay an extra 6 weeks to help train the new sister missionaries coming to South Korea. I love her and have MISSED HER! WE haven't seen each other since February 2008!
Relearn my piano concertos: I promised myself that I would keep learning new songs, but I think I'll just take baby steps and re-learn my old pieces before I tackle anything else. Heck, maybe I'll just take piano lessons again.
Relearn how to play the violin: And I mean this in every sense of the word. I haven't really played since high school. Shame on me. But in my (weak) defense, I'm more of an orchestra player, and not a soloist.
And of course, job hunt. :)
I'm also looking forward to getting to know my family again. All six of us will be living at home this summer. We haven't all been together like this since January of 2005 (which is when I first started college).
But one thing I'm REALLY looking forward to, and have missed so bad it hurt is the SUN! It's still snowing here in April, and hopefully when we head south there will be some warmth to be found. I NEED the sun!
And I love you all! Drop me a line! I can't wait to see all my friends again! Have such a wonderful day!
Love Em
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Shocker!
Two posts in a week! AMAZING!
So, just spent the last hour getting my cap and gown! WHAT? CAP AND GOWN? Yes! Cap and Gown...meaning I am ONE step closer to graduation! Woot woot! Happy day!...I think.
I have come to realize over the past few weeks how very lucky I have been to be here at BYU-Idaho. This is such a wonderful school where I've recieved so many opportunities I wouldn't have had anywhere else. The professors here (for the most part) genuinely care about the sucess of their students. I honestly love the smaller class size. I get to know my teachers a lot better this way. I love going to the local grocery store and seeing my professors there! This town is like one big family. There might not be a lot of flashy entertainment here, but we still know how to have a good time.
I feel sad that I'll be leaving soon. I never thought this day would come and I will desperately miss the wonderful people I've grown to know and love. Thank heavens for Facebook and blogs right?
So...inspirtational thought for today: Take advantage of where you are right now. Realize how lucky you are to have the friends that you do as well. Take a minute to think about how blessed your life is. I've been doing a lot of that lately, and kicking myself that I haven't done this sooner!
Love you all so much!
So, just spent the last hour getting my cap and gown! WHAT? CAP AND GOWN? Yes! Cap and Gown...meaning I am ONE step closer to graduation! Woot woot! Happy day!...I think.
I have come to realize over the past few weeks how very lucky I have been to be here at BYU-Idaho. This is such a wonderful school where I've recieved so many opportunities I wouldn't have had anywhere else. The professors here (for the most part) genuinely care about the sucess of their students. I honestly love the smaller class size. I get to know my teachers a lot better this way. I love going to the local grocery store and seeing my professors there! This town is like one big family. There might not be a lot of flashy entertainment here, but we still know how to have a good time.
I feel sad that I'll be leaving soon. I never thought this day would come and I will desperately miss the wonderful people I've grown to know and love. Thank heavens for Facebook and blogs right?
So...inspirtational thought for today: Take advantage of where you are right now. Realize how lucky you are to have the friends that you do as well. Take a minute to think about how blessed your life is. I've been doing a lot of that lately, and kicking myself that I haven't done this sooner!
Love you all so much!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sands of Time...
Hey friends again. My customary once-a-month-post is long overdue. I come to you, teetering at the edge of graduation. It only felt real once, for about an hour during Graduation Night. Honestly, by my calculations I've been an enrolled student for the past 17 years. It feels like I will be a student forever. It just doesn't feel real yet. Perhaps when I go and pick up my cap and gown later this week it will.
I love everything I'm doing right now. My projects in class are so fun! My Professional class just finished editing a full length novel and now we're in the middle of preparing the travel book for the upcoming BYU-Idaho British Literary tour. I'm on the research team that gets to look up maps and authors and quotes for the day-to-day activities. (And of course become insanely jealous at those who actually GET to go!)
I've learned some very important lessons over the course of the last few weeks. The most important one is: Put work aside and have fun. It's the only way to keep a good and healthy mental balance.
I'm not going to lie. It's been tough over the past few months. I arrived home from my 18 month mission at the end of August, was home for 10 days (count 'em, 10) and then came back to Rexburg to finish out my education. I put my nose to the grindstone and only focused on homework and class projects. I just obsessed over getting everything done three days before the due date. I almost didn't go to DisneyWorld with my family because I was so stressed out! I just wondered why I was so unhappy when I had plenty of homework to get done. (Duh in retrospect). When I went home for the Christmas break it took me a full week to let go of finals stress. (Poor Mikelle can attest to my precarious mental health!)
However, in stark contrast, these last few weeks of the semester have been the happiest I've ever had. I have put homework on the back burner and been social! (GASP!) I've made some amazing new friends and we all wonder how in the world we all made it to graduation without ever being friends before this. I've learned that you have to make time for YOU if you want to be sane in this life. And surprise surprise, I still have time to get my homework done. I just wish I'd learned this earlier, like back in Septemeber.
So, bottom line is, life is too short to be in a constant state of stress. Time runs out no matter what we're doing. Why not spend that time doing something you enjoy? A good friend once told me that on his mission people would tell him that they just didn't have time to read the scriptures. He realized that they had plenty of time, they just didn't choose to make scripture reading a priority. He told me that we make time for what's important to us.
This is my challenge to myself and to you: Make time for fun in your life. Choose to be social. Choose to make friends. It IS your choice. Have a happy life. It IS up to you.
I love everything I'm doing right now. My projects in class are so fun! My Professional class just finished editing a full length novel and now we're in the middle of preparing the travel book for the upcoming BYU-Idaho British Literary tour. I'm on the research team that gets to look up maps and authors and quotes for the day-to-day activities. (And of course become insanely jealous at those who actually GET to go!)
I've learned some very important lessons over the course of the last few weeks. The most important one is: Put work aside and have fun. It's the only way to keep a good and healthy mental balance.
I'm not going to lie. It's been tough over the past few months. I arrived home from my 18 month mission at the end of August, was home for 10 days (count 'em, 10) and then came back to Rexburg to finish out my education. I put my nose to the grindstone and only focused on homework and class projects. I just obsessed over getting everything done three days before the due date. I almost didn't go to DisneyWorld with my family because I was so stressed out! I just wondered why I was so unhappy when I had plenty of homework to get done. (Duh in retrospect). When I went home for the Christmas break it took me a full week to let go of finals stress. (Poor Mikelle can attest to my precarious mental health!)
However, in stark contrast, these last few weeks of the semester have been the happiest I've ever had. I have put homework on the back burner and been social! (GASP!) I've made some amazing new friends and we all wonder how in the world we all made it to graduation without ever being friends before this. I've learned that you have to make time for YOU if you want to be sane in this life. And surprise surprise, I still have time to get my homework done. I just wish I'd learned this earlier, like back in Septemeber.
So, bottom line is, life is too short to be in a constant state of stress. Time runs out no matter what we're doing. Why not spend that time doing something you enjoy? A good friend once told me that on his mission people would tell him that they just didn't have time to read the scriptures. He realized that they had plenty of time, they just didn't choose to make scripture reading a priority. He told me that we make time for what's important to us.
This is my challenge to myself and to you: Make time for fun in your life. Choose to be social. Choose to make friends. It IS your choice. Have a happy life. It IS up to you.
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