Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Birthday number 24
Tentative plans for my 24th birthday
Dinner at Martinique Bistro (http://www.martiniquebistro.com/) on Saturday night, followed by second dessert at [Club] Pinkberry. Then, live music...
The morning of my birthday, I want to go to the Farmers' Market with Jesse. Sunday, we'll probably go brunch too; don't know where yet.
I gotta figure out what to do for Mia's birthday, too. It's the Tuesday after my birthday.
Dinner at Martinique Bistro (http://www.martiniquebistro.com/) on Saturday night, followed by second dessert at [Club] Pinkberry. Then, live music...
The morning of my birthday, I want to go to the Farmers' Market with Jesse. Sunday, we'll probably go brunch too; don't know where yet.
I gotta figure out what to do for Mia's birthday, too. It's the Tuesday after my birthday.
Bitter sweet. More on the bitter side of things
I hate not having enough money to do more than get by, live month to month, paycheck to paycheck. I haven't been able to really do anything in the way of creating a solid savings. My savings account has a signal digit dollar amount in it.
I thought I'd be able to afford one of these three dresses for my birthday because my dad gave me $100.
With my recent job situation instability/change, my mom decided to forgive my $260 debt of J. Crew clothes. But, in light of this, I feel selfish and grandiose because I'm bummed out that I can't afford one of the Anthropologie dresses. And, I know I don't need another article of clothing, but I adore pretty fabrics, embroidery, buttons.
I've been doing budget review to see how much I money I need to live on at the very least. It's a lot! $245 goes to my good ol' friend, Sallie Mae, every month. Jesse and I split rent and even that's hard for me to swing. I guess we're not moving anytime soon (considering we'll have deposits and first month's rents to ome up with). Unless we move to Luling, and I don't think that either of our first choice. Anyway, long story short, my dad's birthday present is going towards a credit card payment. Happy Birthday, me. Nothing says 24 like [trying to be and] paying debt.
Sometimes adulthood sucks! But, then I got remind myself how much it doesn't at other times. I should be thankful and happy for that. And, I am.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Education, the most valuable investment
So many in this situation. I know I am. Student debt.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/your-money/student-loans/29money.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/your-money/student-loans/29money.html
What a week!
Today I babysat a precious little girl who went to Little Gate. I had subbed in her class many times the last semester and her mom also is an attorney at the firm that Jesse works at. Yesterday I babysat the same little girl and Jesse's direct boss' daughter. Both days have been fun and relatively unstressful. Unfortunately, Jesse's boss' little girl got pretty sick so I didn't have the chance to babysit her today. It was nice to get to know some of the people he works with a little better. They have been wonderful and welcoming.
The lack of stress is in contrast to my last couple of days at LG. Tuesday I found out that I wouldn't be given a contracted position. That means that they couldn't find a place for as a teacher in twos, threes or toddlers. I had expressed interest in full-time following my rejection letters form the three programs to which I applied (2 in Anthro and 1 in Latin American studies, remember?). So going into this self-initiated meeting two days after LG's last day, I was disappointed, dejected and inevitably bitter that this late in the year, I was finding out that I could pretty much do what I've been doing this past semester (subbing and floating), but without the two-day infants teaching position and add after-care if I wanted it. Well, call me elitist, but I did not graduate from Loyola to work aftercare. Plus, though they could offer me relatively regular hours, it would also be paid hourly, not on salary. It took me less than a day to make my decision and I told my boss the next afternoon that I must respectfully decline. I have since communicated with her and I am more satisfied by the reasoning behind my not being offered a postion (namely lack of positions and me previously expressing disinterest in toddler teaching positions). Ironically enough, I love babysitting one toddler at a time!
I am counting myself lucky that this past year I was on salary and luckily, that salary will last through July. So, I'm not scrambling to find a job right away, but it is something I have been considering.
Then again, I am also looking at this blow as a big blessing in disguise. Don't get me wrong, I could/would have been quite content and comfy at LG. But, now I'm thinking I may start full-time at UNO this fall. If I can afford it (aka, I get some form of financial aid), it would be more beneficial to go full-time and finish in 1.5 years. Additionally, though it would be unstable, who is to say that I cannot supplement my income with babysitting gigs? I have come to know quite a few preschool aged-children and I am enjoying spending individual time with all of them!
So that's where I was/am this week. Thank goodness for the weekend. I think Jesse and I will be heading to Greek Festival in Gentilly (or is it Lakeview?) sometime this weekend. Kind of funny considering he was in Greece just on Tuesday. I am so very happy he is home though. I feel complete again. Cheesy, but true.
Lastly, I babysat in Algiers Point today. Can I say that I love it and want to move there? So quaint and friendly without compensating a New Orleans nostalgic comfort. Look up and see the New Orleans skyline, Canal Street and French Quarter right over the River. Take the ferry there for free if you'd like. I didn't think it was possible, but I think it takes the cake on my favorite NOLA neighborhoods. Funnily enough, Ms. Lisa (Neill's mom grew up there) and after being there, I can totally see it. I met people at the playground and cafes that just had her confident cordiality!
1. Algiers
2. Mid-City
3. Lower Garden District tied with area around Whole Foods
4. French Quarter
I love learning more about NOLA!
The lack of stress is in contrast to my last couple of days at LG. Tuesday I found out that I wouldn't be given a contracted position. That means that they couldn't find a place for as a teacher in twos, threes or toddlers. I had expressed interest in full-time following my rejection letters form the three programs to which I applied (2 in Anthro and 1 in Latin American studies, remember?). So going into this self-initiated meeting two days after LG's last day, I was disappointed, dejected and inevitably bitter that this late in the year, I was finding out that I could pretty much do what I've been doing this past semester (subbing and floating), but without the two-day infants teaching position and add after-care if I wanted it. Well, call me elitist, but I did not graduate from Loyola to work aftercare. Plus, though they could offer me relatively regular hours, it would also be paid hourly, not on salary. It took me less than a day to make my decision and I told my boss the next afternoon that I must respectfully decline. I have since communicated with her and I am more satisfied by the reasoning behind my not being offered a postion (namely lack of positions and me previously expressing disinterest in toddler teaching positions). Ironically enough, I love babysitting one toddler at a time!
I am counting myself lucky that this past year I was on salary and luckily, that salary will last through July. So, I'm not scrambling to find a job right away, but it is something I have been considering.
Then again, I am also looking at this blow as a big blessing in disguise. Don't get me wrong, I could/would have been quite content and comfy at LG. But, now I'm thinking I may start full-time at UNO this fall. If I can afford it (aka, I get some form of financial aid), it would be more beneficial to go full-time and finish in 1.5 years. Additionally, though it would be unstable, who is to say that I cannot supplement my income with babysitting gigs? I have come to know quite a few preschool aged-children and I am enjoying spending individual time with all of them!
So that's where I was/am this week. Thank goodness for the weekend. I think Jesse and I will be heading to Greek Festival in Gentilly (or is it Lakeview?) sometime this weekend. Kind of funny considering he was in Greece just on Tuesday. I am so very happy he is home though. I feel complete again. Cheesy, but true.
Lastly, I babysat in Algiers Point today. Can I say that I love it and want to move there? So quaint and friendly without compensating a New Orleans nostalgic comfort. Look up and see the New Orleans skyline, Canal Street and French Quarter right over the River. Take the ferry there for free if you'd like. I didn't think it was possible, but I think it takes the cake on my favorite NOLA neighborhoods. Funnily enough, Ms. Lisa (Neill's mom grew up there) and after being there, I can totally see it. I met people at the playground and cafes that just had her confident cordiality!
1. Algiers
2. Mid-City
3. Lower Garden District tied with area around Whole Foods
4. French Quarter
I love learning more about NOLA!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Oh, the week be over!
The bad news is that I'm having a tumultuous week, but right now I need to go to bed so I can head to the Westbank to babysit tomorrow morning. The good news is I turn 24 next Saturday. So long sucky year #23!
I will update once I know more about my uncertain position (for lack of a better word and or lack thereof) with Little Gate. This week hasn't been my best, but I'm still trying to figure out things, ironing out my plans in the immediate future. But, I'm trying not to rush my decision-making so I'm not regretful once I've already started whatever it is I could potentially choose to do.
Next entry title: I don't care if my resume isn't what every HR Department is looking for
I'm going to do it my way, a way that makes me happy. Not the form-letter, fill-in-the-blank resume for cookie-cuttered shapes (aka shadows) of a human being. Ha.
Wow, bitter much?
Monday, May 24, 2010
Pretty pictures and happy news
Photo of Nice, uncredited. I wanted a photo for my blog heading banner, but I couldn't make anything work. I prefer to use one of my own, regardless of how I lack in photographic talent, but I just liked this picture.
Happy news is that Jesse comes home tomorrow! I'll pick him up from the airport around 11:30 PM. I hope that work goes by quickly as does my evening. I'll probably nap so I can stay up all night anyway.
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