Makeover?

I'm getting braces and it's time for a make-over. Nothing extreme. My mom says I need to get my teeth fixed, and her insurance will cover part of it now. I guess I want to reinvent myself physically. Contacts again, too.

I'm going to continue what I started years ago. I will get in shape, do more tfp shoots, and find my way into a minor modeling career. Ha, we'll see if I follow through this time.

Went to Anthro again today. Exchanged yesterday's Ipanema dress (though I had my eyes on it for more than a month!) for another dress on sale (today, a huge sale so I'm glad I returned a second day in a row), a sweater and a beaded belt. And, they credited $0.10 to my debit card, so though miniscule, I still paid less for those three things than the one dress. If I have money when we're in Austin, I hope to check out their location. Speaking of which, I met a manager at Anthro today who filled me in on the status of the Canal location. He'll be helping open our new one and he told me when to come in for open recruiting! So, fingers crossed!

I am self-employed. I am a freelance writer.

For help as I begin this transition. http://freelanceswitch.com/working/time-wasters-fight-time-wasting/

I have a couple of fashion piece gigs. I'm going to take a sample assignment from a sports magazine. And, my rant about my dad's facebook obsession will be gracing invadenola's next issue.

Jesse and Mia made fun of me for my desperate cover letter answering a craigslist post for sports writer, but I got a reply and they want me to work on something their putting together to test me. It's a test piece so they can see my comfort with sports coverage so I'm going to try to learn about football, baseball, soccer, volleyball, et al so I can nail this assignment!

I'm actively looking for a job, but for now, babysitting and freelancing isn't too bad. I'd rather only be freelancing, but I can't afford that life.

Went to Anthropologie today. Spent too much, but got out before I did some serious damage. At least I got 15% off for my birthday.

Finding a neighborhood garden in NOLA

http://invadenola.com/2010/06/28/eat-local-and-learn-to-cook/

Networking sites: regarding parents, facebook and the like

"I respect that your facebook acquaintances are people that you are able to converse with, to have dialogue with about important, global matters. I'm just saying that this type of communication isn't and shouldn't be a substitute for in-person interactions and real discussions."

That's why we say "I'm friends with him/her on facebook." Specifying this denotes a difference from traditional and psychological friendship. Friendship is often physical as well; you meet and meet with your acquaintances who then transition into friends. It doesn't have to be physical though: a pen pal can be a friend. But, online networking has changed this because of the field on which it is played. Friendship on sites like facebook, myspace and twitter are less established.

Internet studies indicate that online relationships between two parties are likely to involve one or both individuals' characters, inhibitions, and actions warped from what otherwise might be the case in the physical world. Online, you are able to take on a role, an alter-ego, a fantasy. This desire is not only fated to online-gamers playing Multi-Player Role-Playing Games (MPRPGs), like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy. It affects a large majority of internet community members. This is part of the same reason that people who wear masks (e.g., masquerade balls or robberies) do things with less, if not no, regard for moral implications and negative consequences.

Regarding facebook, when my father defended his hermetic and addict-like behavior, I attempted to reason that his social skills were less than mainstream or orthodox, but that ensued in a heated argument. Unable to talk about it on Skype (another internet application of communication) without becoming frustrated, I texted him the quoted above. I think that our parents, of a generation who did not grow up with these technological applications, are encountering them in different, amusing, and sometimes detrimental ways.

At 24, I realize, there are just some mediums I am unable or unwilling to use. While our parents are capable of utilizing the same en vogue sites, they should be able to balance their post-facebook lives and the rate of wall notifications.

Grad school, new apartment, vacay with family

I just finished FAFSA! Kind of sad that I'm so excited about that. I'm really embracing this adult thing. Well, it took a lot less time than I remember doing since I'm no longer a dependent of my parents. And, I can't wait to hear back to see if it's possible for me to get a grant to attend UNO. I received an email today telling me that the Graduate Assistantships (3 in Spanish) are filled at this time, but it encouraged me to apply anyway. I don't understand how I can though when the application requires one UNO professor's recommendation. I guess I may wait until after my first semester if I can do that. So if I don't get some FAFSA money, I'll have to pay my tuition myself because I refuse to take out more loans, and my mom paid a lot for the 4.5/5 years I was at Loyola. It's not so bad though; it's about $2000 a semester with a full load, if I'm not mistaken. I do hope I can work at Anthropologie.

Jesse and I decided take an apartment that opens on August 22. It's a while a way, but it is going to end up being much more feasible and financially beneficial for us. It's on the 18th floor of the Carondelet highrise we've been looking at the last week. I'll go in Monday to drop off the necessary documents, but I will write more about that later.

My mom, Mia, Jesse, and I are going to Biloxi tomorrow until Sunday. A short, albeit anticipated weekend trip. I do have to do some research for the articles I'm writing, but other than that, it'll be relaxing and fun-filled...unless BP has anything to do with it! Maybe I'll get an update here or two in. I also need to do some letter-writing soon. I've been babysitting so much, which is great for my income, but I haven't got to write thank yous and update letters to my friends, especially after reading books that I've been wanting to/got for my birthday. This upcoming week my schedule's more open though; only two days of babysitting and lunch with one or two people.

Okay, good night for real.

Ashamed, but happy. Not a good combo, but...

We're moving! New apartment in the CBD. http://www.200carondelet.com/index.html

A nice, tiny 1BR. More to follow.

Unfortunate news is that I'm hitting a roadblock with job searching. I may just need to find something in the food industry since even my retail seeds have not reaped anything yet. Should I hold out for Anthropologie when I will have bills to pay very soon? I'd like to, but I don't think I should.

UNO: still unofficially in. The head of the department replied to an email inquiry of mine with "I am confident that you will be able to start in Fall 2010." But, no word on graduate assistantship either.

With this new apartment, I need to have something lined up. I am doing these two fashion freelance jobs, but that won't pay anything but my electricity bill.

My favorite things

I've been up because I'm taking a trip down memory lane. This seems sparked by my self-reflection and introspection due to my job situation. I'm trying to figure out what exactly I want to do with myself until I start my Master's (and hopefully during) and how I should go about doing it. Consequently, some of the goals of my idealistic and reckless youth are resurfacing and of course, I can't not be reminded of the music which used to be soundtrack to my life.

As I go back and forth between Muse, Corinne Bailey Rae, Blonde Redhead, Yael Naim, among others, I can't help but feel that I miss my former self. I mentioned this to Jesse, questioning if he felt the same from time to time. I miss how overly-emotional and passionate I was about things. I couldn't make myself get that way if I tried my hardest today. Jesse said that he thinks we're more alive at that age. And, in response to my statement that I've been jaded [by life], he said that in high school, maybe we think adulthood will just be a continuation of what school was. Boy, were we ever so wrong!

I just miss the spectrum of emotions I once had--for better or worse--and I know it was more normal at that age to have them than it is now (and my spectrum ran the gamut!).

And, it's not that I'm not desirably content with my life. I have a really good life. I'm happy with Jesse. We're more or less comfortable financially, save a few medical or car maintenance issues that pop up sporadically. I'm not at all insinuating that lack of tempermentality equals mediocrity. I do find my life exciting at times; I just don't have the same reactions I once did.

Well, I should go to sleep. Got adult stuff to do tomorrow, like work on my fashion sample for Invade NOLA! Yay adulthood?! Yea.

BP, Shell, ExxonMobil

I don't think that the BP situation in any way is a fortunate one, but I can't imagine if we were being affected the way that the Nigerian (without such a sounding board as the US) people are being.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10649775

It makes me want to give up driving/buying gas, but how likely is that?

Birthday...if I can remember two weeks ago.

I'm about to start watching The September Issue finally. These past couple of weeks, my first of the summer, have been action-packed (literally since I've been babysitting more than anything) and rushed by. I turned 24 two weeks ago and although, I'm still a little unsure of the future, I have some goals, some direction and some hope. I don't want to be too idealistic, but here's to the future.

I am still waiting to hear back from Amelie G as to what my first piece should be about. Invade NOLA would like me to write a foodie piece, and I plan to do my first one on the Southern Food and Beverage Museum after discovering it through Amanda and Lauren (old college roommates) when I had lunch with them this past Tuesday. It's a real neat place, albeit small and not as appealingly placed for locals (in the Riverwalk). But, you can read all about that when I work on/post the piece. Invade NOLA is also seeking a fashion columnist so I applied for that. It's paid, too. Though I'm sure I will not be able to support myself on the writing gigs I do have (especially since Amelie G is time for print), I am on my way to be one of the people I want to be...a writer. With any luck, I'll land a part-time job in retail and I can write about what I see.

So back to my birthday. It was really nice and low-key. I didn't want to do anything grand, but dinner with friends at Martinique Bistro on Magazine was a treat to say the least. Though the group was definitely a pleasant company, I do wish that a few other of my friend could have made it, but for the most part, those six-plus friends were in different cities so I understand. Speaking of cities, we're going to Austin for Jesse's birthday. We'll stay with Tim and Lou.

On my birthday, Jes woke me up and we decided to try and find the farmers' market. A bit of a fluke at first because I had never been to the Saturday one and being me, forgot to look up the exact address online before I left. I used to go to the Tuesday Broadway market before I got a "real" job. So for the Saturday one, I just thought it was at Napoleon and Magazine. No, Magazine and Tchop. No, Tchop and Fulton. It was a wild goose chase so we just decided to have brunch at Blue Plate on Magazine (or is it Prytania). How long have I lived here? Ahh, why do I still get so confused. Well, while there, guess who sits down right next to our table and Jesse's laughing at the serendipitous happening? I guess it was serendipitous though you won't guess who it was. It was his first high school girlfriend and her now husband. They were nice and we briefly chatted/were introduced. However, they happened to be going to the same farmers' market as we planned so they were able to point us in the right direction.

At Blue Plate, I had amazing pecan and brie pan perdue and Jesse had something called breakchetta which was basically scrambled eggs on toast. After getting a steal on blueberries at the farmers' market (which is on Julia and Magazine in the CBD, btw), we walked around a bit before heading to Scriptura to get me a present from Jesse. I got a sweet book called, The Art of the Personal Letter (whose sleeve could have totally been written by me, not to sound self-absorbed) and I picked out some New Orleans stationary. It's a jazz hall scene with an upright piano on one side, a bass on the other, and a fan hanging from the top. I wanted some personalized stationary, but custom ordering is is pricey. I will get some soon though. I introduced Jesse to Margaret and Sally, since I'm in there all the time and bought that travel journal for Jesse, telling Margaret all about him. Jesse even said that if he opens his own firm, he may get me to pick out paper and personalized headings for everything. A dream!

After a light lunch of cheese and fruit at home, we rested and got ready for 7:45 reservations. Not all of my guests arrived on time, but it was okay. We ended up staying there until nearly 11. Many appetizers, two delicious bottles of wine (a white blend that I forget the name of and a Malbec), lots of good conversation and generous gifts. A little more on this later though since my post is too much!

Birthdays: Mine and Mia's

http://oddindividual.blogspot.com/2010/06/today-was-my-birthday.html

How do I make this a link without seeing the URL address? I just want to call it something like "Mia's birthday blog post." I used to know how to do it on livejournal, but I forget. I see it on blogspots all the time. Boo.

Edit/update to follow.

Jobs, Volunteering, Interning

Friday morning, I woke up to an email reply to a craigslist post I responded to the night before. I called and was asked to come in that morning so I had an interview with Ecole Bilingue for their immersion summer camp. The school is French immersion, but the camp has groups for Mandarin, Spanish and French immersion. I'm still waiting to hear back from them. That's always the case for me though--waiting to hear back. I told them I was rusty, but that I'm confident with support and preparation, I could be a good fit--a learner and a teacher. It's an internship so I'd just have to work 4.5 hours a day and assist the staff they already have. The pay is incredibly low, but it's something. I'd have to lead activities (I can't remember how many a week), and she asked me if I had any special skills. I said I played the piano (uneasy facial expression) so maybe that'll motivate me to get back into that. Three of the kids I babysit are attending this camp so it'll be nice to see them on a regular basis.

Nevertheless, I have other good news! I responded to a craigslist post for contributing writers for a NOLA fashion magazine and they replied saying that they're interested. Unfortunately, it's time for print (TFP), but it really is a good way to hone my craft and to get my work read. That's what I did at Offbeat (who currently has around 11 interns so I haven't wanted/been able to go back) about two years ago so I think getting back into the business is a welcomed necessity. I've also corresponded with Invade NOLA so I might be starting a biweekly/monthly foodie review piece. I don't know what the subject of my first piece will be. Unfortunately, I'm limited by cost right now. I hate to harp on my financial situation, but it really does have an affect on what I do.

So look for these at http://www.ameliegmag.com/ and http://invadenola.com/. Freelance writer in me, here I come. That is, if I can afford to support my lifestyle on the pittance I can scrounge up from writing.

Backtrack

It's been over a week since I turned 24, and I cannot imagine being much happier. 23 was a year of such transition and uncertainty. While I was never full out, down right depressed (as characterized by some of my teenage years), I was just up and down, tempermental and easily upset a lot of the time. These uncertainties were concerned with school, work, finances, my place in life--a quarter-life crisis, if you will.

Well, I'll briefly recap the last week or so, if I may.

Yesterday, Sunday: Jesse's parents came over bringing this beautiful antique dresser to our apartment. They just bought a new house in Arkansas so they'll be renting their Luling house Jesse's cousins. Consequently, they're giving away a lot of their furniture from that house since they had already furnished their trailer in Arkansas in the last two years, most (if not all) of which I imagine will go in the new house. Well, Jesse and I are still toying around with ideas for where this heavy wooden piece of art is going to go, but we're quite happy and we think we've got a good idea for it. Not only is it beautiful with a huge mirror, we have more storage space! Hopefully that's a good-bye to clothes on the top shelf of our closet and in pink-and-purple and blue-and-green canvas storage bags that my mom gave me (and that Saki has since begun using as a her own bed). I know that we want to move out of this place soon (when we can find/afford another) so, to me, it almost seems silly to redecorate/organize the furniture, but I do think it's necessary for our own comfort for the rest of our time here.

Saturday: I took the Praxis, Spanish: Content Knowledge exam at UNO. This is a morning best left forgotten until I get the scores in roughly a month. It was a hard exam, and being the retard that I am, I had to go to three different buildings before getting the the correct one, pay $3 in a parking lot though my car was there for less than 5 minutes, and perhaps worst of all, waited until the last two days before the test to really begin studying. I want to go back to school, but it's my procrastinator ways that make me weary of this future. On a different note, I don't like UNO's campus, but I do hope that I can do all the coursework for my Master's there. It's such a short program, 33 credits, and I could do it for rather cheap. But, if I don't like it, they don't offer enough classes per semester (as I've heard is the case in conjunction with all the budget cuts LA State has been doing--thanks, Jindal! ass), or if Jesse's post-graduation job opportunities take us somewhere else (so crazy and yet so exciting to think about), I can just transfer somewhere else. Later in the afternoon, we went to Jesse's parents' house to begin cleaning out Jesse's closet, etc. I got a bad headache though so I wasn't much help, taking a nap. We packed a good amount of books and some of his old clothes, but Jesse joked that maybe my malaise was from seeing so many things just thrown away. It's the packrat in me. I'm a sentimental and nostalgic person, even if that means I've got stacks of papers I may never look at again all over the house. Later that night, I babysat a new 6-year-old boy in Kenner. That was pleasant and easy; he's the son of one of Neill's colleages and they're Indian! It was a busy, but productive day.

Latter half of the week is a blur other than I got my hair trimmed at Paris Parker Aveda and found a great stylist for a great price. Jerilyn cut Mia's hair on Monday when we somewhat spontaneously walked in for a different look for Mia and her 20th birthday. I liked the work she did and her down-to-earth, genuine personality. Jesse's saying that he needs a hair-cut more frequently so we may pay Jerilyn another visit in the next few days. So Mia got bangs and a trim. I got a trim for my layers and she cleaned up my bangs (since I had Mia cut them last and my last hair cut was about a year ago). I like it a lot though I'm still waiting for my hair to grow out; I'm growing it out long and then when I'm tired of it, I'll cut it Audrey Tautou short again. I forgot how hot New Orleans is with long hair so I'll be wearing it in a lot of ponies. Also, Jerilyn blow dried it straight after cutting it and I couldn't believe how smooth and sleek it was without using a flat iron. She gave me some product samples and when I can afford some, I'll probably go in and buy the bottles. Don't know when that'll be though with all the expenses that keep coming up and my lack of a job.

Well, this post is too long so I'm going to divide it up into future posts.

Overdue on a post

Ack, I know I'm overdue on an update, especially considering Mia's and my birthdays happened this week. And, let me tell you, 24 is a great year! I can feel it. It's day four and I'm happy!

I don't want to make a full update though right now because I should be studying for the Praxis I'm taking Saturday. And, just what have I been doing? I watched two episodes of Smallville with Jesse, and I didn't even need him convincing me. For the past hour, I've been searching for jobs on craigslist, which reminds me--I got a call back from Playworks today so I have a group interview in about two weeks. Anyhow, long story short, there's lots I'd like to write/talk about, but until Saturday morning, no blogging, or watching Glee, craigslist-browsing or letter-writing. Boo, but I'm blocking myself. Scratch off "Watching Glee;" I'll study after.

Well, I wanted to write all of this to convince myself with tangible documentation.