I Got It, Alas!
So I have been working for a while on getting my Microsoft Certification after hours of training. I figured I'd have no problem but then after taking a practice type exam I realized how in depth they go. I had started doing training back in 8th grade for a different Microsoft Certification but this one was geared towards networking, troubleshooting, installation, and pretty much the nitty gritty of every aspect of computers. I am a geek without a doubt but the questions and training were both super intense. It is not for someone who thinks it will be a piece of cake. One questions dealt with adding network servers and which ports had to be open. Now ports was something I never really studied before so learning the hundreds of ports and their functions was long and tiring. Coupled with going to school, oh man, I was tired. That is why I am so stoked I got certified by Microsoft. Now I am not going to run off and be an IT person or a tech guy but I have that in my back pocket and something I can add to my resume. In today's volatile economic world, having backups and extra form of training and education is crucial. I know my soon-to-be BA degree will be what an AA was say 10 years ago. One simply must be willing and ready to further their education or specialized training to be competitive. Besides, techies do make pretty good money. It's interesting that having these types of certifications help you get jobs and actually make your more competitive. I mean it is not easy to get certified but it allows you to push yourself and really hone in your skills. I know a lot of online elearning programs for the Microsoft Certification Training and I know they are a great way to prepare for certification. I am sure there books for it too. I used to work at Borders and our computer section as enormous, but I do not recall if we had Microsoft Certification training books or not. Anyways I should probably clean up a little; my apartment is such a mess. I have become rather lazy as someone who goes to school and works a lot of hours at work. I love both I do kind of let things get out of control. Sigh. Cleaning calls, unfortunately for me and wanting to watch TV.
Great New Product to Quit Smoking
A friend of mine was raving the other day about a product that she had heard of called the Njoy Electronic Cigarette. She started smoking when she was in high school (I met her last year when we were juniors in college) and she did it mainly because she wanted to be cool and because she thought that ‘everyone was doing it'. However, people stopped doing it because it turns out smoking doesn't really make you cool; it just makes you sick and smelly. Unfortunately, she couldn't stop. So she spent the next few years going on and off between smoking a pack a day, to going cold turkey to smoking heavily again and then trying to stop using different methods.
She tried the patch first. She said that it would fall off and was uncomfortable to have on her all of the time and she would forget to change it. Also, she was used to having something in her mouth so it wasn't a good transition for her. Next though she tried the gum, which she said worked really well for her for a few months and then she would get headaches from chewing so much and it turned out that the gum was almost (or more even sometimes) as expensive as actually smoking was (so she decided to save her money ha for something she liked better I guess) and started smoking again.
She also tried hypnotizing which she decided was an absolute crock and a waste of time and money. So finally she read about this Electronic Cigarette thing. She heard that it was basically the same as smoking but without all of the harmful aspects that came along with it.
This Electronic Cigarettes didn't have tar in it or nicotine. It also didn't smell or make her clothes, breath or couch and furniture reek. And most importantly it didn't have negative health effects for her or for others around her (second hand smoke is a huge issue now). And since smoking has been ban in a lot of public places now, she was able to use these without getting in trouble.
They still taste the same and feel the same so it is a great way to ease yourself out of the smoking habit and they aren't nearly as expensive as smoking actually is.
So she has been smoke free for a while own and even though she is taking it one day at a time, she really is making a ton of progress and we really are proud of her. She is definitely recommending it to other people she knows who are trying to quit.
TRYING TO HELP MY BROTHER FIX CREDIT
My brother has turned his own world upside down. Right out of high school, he got like a million credit card offers, of which he must have taken advantage of a lot of them. He was away at school when my mom got mail for him from the credit card companies and I guess he changed the address to his college addy so that she wouldn't see all the notices coming in from different credit card companies. Well, he decided that he would work to pay off his credit card debt, but apparently he wasn't behaving really responsibly with his cards, and maxed most of them out paying bills and buying stuff for his apartment. He could only work part time, but that obviously was because spending was his full time job. When he was home over Christmas, he told me about his dilemma, and I couldn't believe it when he told me that he had $10,000 worth of debt. I knew he was in way over his head, but he made me swear that I wouldn't tell my parents, so I kept my mouth shut. I helped him gather information online about fixing your credit and we tried out this Fico Score Calculator and basically figured out what we both already knew, which was that he was in some serious trouble. I tried to tell him that they can only fix credit if you get some of the bills paid off, and so he decided to cut back his course load, so that he could work more, but of course it wasn't really enough. Well, my mother apparently just got wind of this situation and she was really pissed, I mean she was totally losing it with me, so I can't even imagine what she said to him. I didn't tell her that I already knew about this, not that it really matters because that wouldn't help the situation anyway. I am feeling guilty that I didn't tell her the trouble that Josh was in, but I couldn't break his trust. Anyway, I guess I will have to live with that decision. I just hope that he realizes that it wasn't me who spilled the beans about his situation. I called him yesterday and I still haven't heard back from him, but it is my guess that if he already spoke with mom then he probably is not answering the phone because when momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy!
THE VELLANO WHEELS CAR CLUB
A group of guys here on campus, just live for their cars. I drive a heap compared to some of the cars these guys have, but still it is a nice car. We are talking cars like Porsche's and Ferrari's and even a few beamers. These vehicles are something that you would expect to see at a car show, and not on a college campus, but you can tell these guys come from money, no doubt. I mean these cars are custom with vellano wheels. And if you have never seen vellano forged wheels, well you are really missing out on something. They can make any car look just incredible. And these guys know all the best resources for auto aftermarket parts. I have spoken to them a few times, and it is really amazing how much they know about their vehicles. I actually suggested to them that they start a car club on campus, because they are really into their vehicles and even for those of us who aren't quite as obsessed about our autos, we still could use information about where and how to get the best auto performance parts, and how to do certain repairs and stuff like this. Knowledge that these guys have, and love to share with others anyway. Clinton said he will consider starting a car club for next semester, but he needs to really think through what they are going to do, how they are going to run it, and what they want to accomplish. Not only that but I also know that he doesn't have much time available since he works and goes to classes and on top of that he has this new girlfriend that is keeping him on a major leash, but then again I guess she is hot enough to be on a leash for. Sometimes the hotter the girl, the shorter the leash...if you know what I mean.
Anyway, I guess we will see about the car club next semester, and in the meantime I am going to have to bring my car up to speed so that I can consider joining. My goal over the summer is to get myself a set of new vellano wheels.
Indiana Fashion
Since I now live in Indiana during the school year I have been introduced to a lot of ‘fashion' that I don't see living outside Chicago in the suburbs of Illinois.
One thing that is really popular here are muck boots. When someone told me about muck boots I had no idea what they were talking about. Then they showed me and obviously I have seen them around before (or at least in Indiana, not really at home) but I had never realized what they were called (or that they actually had a name). They are basically made as comfortable boots and shoes so that people who are working outside or on farms can wear them. But I also think that they have moved a little outside of the practical zone and are now made with the intent too that people will wear them in a more trendy way.
I also just saw a person wearing acorn slippers (which I actually heard were really comfortable) but I saw them wearing them outside so I kind of thought that it was a little weird.
Overall I have seen a lot of weird fashion statements in Indiana. But coming from Chicago I mean it a little differently. In the city, people are purposely wearing different things to try to make a statement and stand out to others. Here though (in Indiana at least) I feel like people are literally just leaving the farm to go to class or getting out of bed and leaving their dorm room with their slippers on. It isn't as much of a fashion statement as it is practical or a safety net for them.
Part of me was kind of disgusted when I first started going here. I used to think (as I spent like an hour getting ready before class) to myself that they just didn't care how they looked (and I think it was just how I was brought up to think being from where I am from). But then I gradually realized that they are just okay with themselves and aren't embarrassed to be seen out wearing what they usually wear around the house or when they are working and that was actually comforting because I realized that people were not only accepting of who they were, but they were also much more accepting of who I am as a person than a lot of people at home.
Dancer for Life
My roommate freshman and sophomore year Maegan is a dancer. Originally it was her major but she changed it to her minor and added business as her major so that one day she could open her own dance studio and teach younger kids.
She was constantly hammering and ripping her ballet shoes and using a match to burn the edges when we were living in the dorms together and it would have a terrible smell. And she would look up danceware online and show me tutus and tights and leggings.
I always thought it was interesting as soon as she got a new leotard or tights she would rip them up so they were more comfortable. I guess when you are dancing around in basically nothing you want it to fit right ha. But she would come home from rehearsal (or rehearsals when she had like 5 a day) and she couldn't even go to the bathroom because she had like 8 random layers on including tights under her leotard and then shorts over and leg warmers and sweat pants over that, I would just laugh at her as she jumped around and had to pee. And then finally struggled to get out of her leotard and millions of layer like 2 hours later when it was clearly an emergency by then.
But I really do think that her dream to open her own dance studio is cool and hopefully it does happen one day for her. She has been taking dance all of her life (since she could walk) and she teaches little kids ballet and jazz over the summers.
I think the business part she thought she wouldn't like but after she started taking classes she found out that she really does, so I think that will help a lot towards her goal. Also her current dance teacher is talking about how she wants her to take over the studio after she graduates so it will be nice to have the experience of owning a dance studio and operating it before she actually has to go out on her own and buy it. This way she can figure out how to handle all of the little things before she jumps into a serious commitment with her own money, and opens her own studio.
I don't live with her anymore, but we are still really good friends and actually my roommate for next school year is a dancer too (and friends with Maegan) so it'll probably be a déjà vu of dancing in the kitchen.
Reality and school
A friend of mine had a family tragedy a little while back (I think it was the beginning of our sophomore year of college) and his sister died in a car accident and his dad was hurt very badly to the point where he needed someone to take care of him. His mom had a really hard time dealing with the death of her daughter and couldn't bring herself to take care of the husband yet at the level that he really needed. So Brian went home (like any kid would) to help his family any way that he was able to.
Fortunately the school was very sensitive to the situation and they offered to let him do some of his work through elearning so he wouldn't get so behind. All he had to do was get a video camera (which the school lent to him) and he was set to get started.
His major is communications and business so a lot of the classes included online training videos. He could watch examples on how to give speeches online (instead of being in class to hear a teacher do it) and then he could use that for when he taped his speeches and sent them in to the teacher (isn't it amazing how much technology can do for us)?
These online training courses are actually really effective. Brian said he learned a lot and when he came back to school last semester he was right on track and only needed to make up one or two credits so he didn't fall behind at all (he'll probably graduate sooner than most of the kids in his major that never left).
So online courses really can help you if you are in a situation like this one or one similar to it at least. A lot of people who are just returning to school and don't feel comfortable in the classroom with younger kids do this as well along with people who work full time and still want to start or further their education. Don't ever think that you have to just leave school and drop out because there are always options to finishing your education; you just need to reach out to find the right one for you and your unique situation. There is always an answer when it comes to education.
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is known for all of its gifts. It seems like kind of a superficial holiday to me, it is supposed to be about loving someone or the people that you love and spending time with them and letting them know how you feel about them and that you care about them deeply. Instead it has turned into more of a show. It puts so much pressure on relationships (old and new) to do the right thing, make the right plans and buy the right gifts. I have never really been a fan of the holiday, although I love what it is all about.
One Valentine's Day though my girl friends and I decided to spend the day together celebrating and then the evening could be left for our dates (and those with no dates would continue on). So we met for brunch and treated ourselves to manicures and pedicures and went shopping and then to a park. It was such a great day and we decided to make light of the gift giving and each do something or give something small as sort of a grab bag thing. One of my friends pulled my name and she got me haribo candy. I had never heard of it before but after that, I was hooked. It was such a great, easy yet cute gift. She wrapped the gummy candy up in the cutest bags and boxes that were pink and red and had bows.
Since then I have been more of a fan of the holiday. But I usually spend the day with my girlfriends now and have a pressure free day before going out at night with a guy. And the candy is always part of the day now. We buy bulk candy together and instead of buying individual gifts for each other we gather the different kinds of candy and we pick a person's name and we decorate cute little bags for each other. This way, the pressure of finding a gift is off, we all get something that we love and is a pretty good price and we get to spend time together when we are putting the bags together!
So this holiday isn't so bad after all I guess. I think if you find the right people to spend it with, in the right way, you really can't go wrong.
LOCKSMITH NEW YORK TO THE RESCUE
My boyfriend was out of town on business last weekend, and so I decided to venture out with some friends and do a little shopping. Many times I take public transportation, however I decided to take my car, so that we didn't have to be on such a tight schedule. We had a really nice time shopping and after shopping we decided to hit a local place for some dinner. It was such a wonderful evening, and then when we got back to the car in the parking garage, I realized that I couldn't find my car keys. I freaked out. We went back inside and tore apart my purse and even looked in the car, but I had remembered setting my car alarm, so I knew I had them with me when we got out of the car. That is what I always do. Anyway, the only other of set of keys was with my boyfriend who was in Iowa visiting his family, so a friend of mine looked for a locksmith new york, and found someone who said they would come and unlock the car for us. It took about an hour, but when the locksmith nyc arrived and unlocked the car, he also had to make a new key for the ignition. Well, needless to say I decided to get him to change the locks on my apartment also, since I really didn't want to stay in a place without my boyfriend where someone else now might have the key. My friend Kira came home with me and stayed over, since Jim wasn't home and I had to bring the locksmith back to my place at such an ungodly hour. Anyway, the guy didn't get out of there until a little after 3. The whole thing wound up costing me, and when I told Jim about it he almost flipped. I am really glad that the locksmith was so nice. I didn't really think about having a locksmith come to unlock my vehicle, and I never realized how many different services locksmiths can provide you with. The keys have not turned up, so I am really glad that I had my apartment locks changed also. This way the next time Jim isn't around, I don't have to worry about someone just letting themselves into my home.
FORECLOSURES FOR SALE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE
If you haven't begun looking into foreclosures for sale, then there is just one thing I need to ask you...why not? It is an excellent time to pick up a new home, for instance my parents just looked into Texas Foreclosures, and found a house that they could buy for $10,000. This home would normally sell for about $150,000. It really had a horrible paint job, but everything else in the home was absolutely perfect. They decided that they would buy this house for their retirement in a few years and they said that when they sell off their old home, they will make a substantial profit and be able to retire on the money that they have saved plus the money from the sale of their house. They were going to get another home anyway, but decided not even to mess around with getting a mortgage from Freddie Mac for this house, because it was so cheap that they were able to pay cash for it. They said that through HUD.gov they were able to access information about foreclosures by state and since they bought their house in TX they have continued looking for any houses that they can find that have a really low price on them. They said they know that they won't be able to turn a profit on them right away, but they are considering renting them out and then giving a house to me and one to my sister when we are ready to settle down.
I just think it is incredible. After all, my parents don't have much money. I mean not that they are poor, but they are not rolling around in money either. One thing that is clear, is that in this market, just about anyone can afford to buy a home and can get a really good deal on one if they just shop around a little. Overall, there have been very few problems with the purchasing of foreclosures and most people not only seem happy, but feel that they got their money's worth and more.
Juno
One of my favorite movies ever is Juno. I think that it is so funny and talks about a situation that is happening all over (teen pregnancy and adoption) but it does it in a way that is light hearted and hilarious.
It is basically about a teen that gets pregnant and it talks about her relationship with the guy and also with her peers and on the flip side, they show the adopting family and the hardships that they are facing as well as their excitement and relationship with the girl, Juno.
There is a scene that is really sad and is also kind of a turning point in the movie. The women that is adopting Juno's baby is looking at nursery décor and putting up nursery wallpaper and the husband comes in and she is asked him about what he thinks and he says he thinks it is too soon to be thinking about nursery decoration and it really crushes her. This is when we realize that the husband really isn't all in and he develops this relationship with Juno that is borderline inappropriate and he ends with acting more than a child than a soon to be dad. And all of the effort they have been putting into adopting has torn him and his wife apart.
It sounds from my description that this story is a downer and sad and even kind of boring but it is none of those things. It is hilarious and Juno is kind of an awkward teen going through a pregnancy but also through what most teens go through every day, a relationship where she kind of doesn't know where everything stands. But it is so great because the girl, Juno pokes fun at herself and the whole story revolves around the fact that she is kind of a misfit but she has such great friends.
We need more movies (that are this good) that can catch the attention of teens and young adults that are going through the same things (maybe not pregnant) but relationships. I also help you to establish a point and view on adoption and see kind of what families are going through when they are looking to adopt. Movies today are getting deeper, but are also more complex because they are able to add the humor into it with seeming inappropriate anymore.