Joy

Wahoo! Sold my rings and got a better paying job, so now I officially have over $8K socked away! I could have put more into savings but it feels good to have a big ole cushion in my checking account. My monthly savings has been bumped up to $250.00 so in eight months, perhaps less, I will achieve my milestone saving goal! My “real” salary will start at the end of this month now that I’m officially converted, so I’ll be seeing an increase there, too!

Now, I need to start researching my investment opportunities and my brand spankin’ new 401K plan! 7 months ago

My friend and VPE of our club went through my CL manual and I’m only one campaign away from my CL – saaaaa-weeet! 7 months ago

I chaired our club contest last month which was the hardest project to knock out. Now I need to follow up with my mentee and do a couple more TMs and GEs, and I’m done, done, done with my first CL! 8 months ago

Four opportunities for making music have presented themselves in the last month:

The hip hop project I do a bit of acting for in their music video asked if I’d be interested in singing some back up vocal tracks – I said yes!

My dance teacher is contemplating doing a performance piece to Ave Maria, and asked if I’d sing it live – I said yes!

My old choir teacher asked me if I wanted to audition for a semi-pro choir in Oakland. Still looking into this…not sure if I’m really into choir singing anymore…

An old theatre buddy is putting a show together in January and wants a sample track of me singing…which I don’t have…whoops! Need to get on this one… 8 months ago

A few weeks ago, Rosetta Stone offered a ridiculously good coupon on Facebook, of all places, and so I took the bait and bought Rosetta Stone for French, all five levels. It was still about a $400 investment, but they let you pay for it over five months, so no sweat!

Happy to report, I have finished the first series on the level 1 disc, and have been logging into the program every day for a week! The majority of what I’ve been “learning” is really review since I took four years of french, but since it was so long ago, the brush up is much needed. The vocabulary was the first thing to come back, then the subtleties of pronunciation and finally grammar is kicking in.

The funny thing about all of this is, even though it’s technically “easier” to learn languages when you’re younger, I feel like I understand a lot more about learning French now that I’ve studied German and Italian as well. Before when it was so much drilling of phrases and memorizing words, the logic behind the syntax wasn’t sticking like it is now. So, I feel like I’m actually LEARNING French this time around instead of going on auto-pilot.

I’m hoping to get to use my French in the next couple years. My boyfriend would really like to visit England to see his extended family and perhaps apply for dual citizenship, and France is only a quick chunnel ride away! 8 months ago

Only three weeks out from quitting my last job and I got two offers and a second interview! I turned down the first offer and the second interview because the second offer was too good to pass up.

The job I’m currently temping with in San Francisco is offering me a salary of almost $10k more a year than what I used to make plus ridiculously good benefits. Of the three weeks I was “jobless” I got to temp for one of the weeks, so I technically made x2 the wage that week. All of this means I get to deposit a nice chunk of change into my savings! At this rate, I may have my $10,000 saved by the end of the year instead of the end of next year!

This goal has been, for me, a benchmark for my success as an adult. With the knowledge that I can discipline myself enough to save $10K, I’m looking towards saving $100K, and start really laying the foundation for my dreams of being in business for myself.

Now if only the Fed would raise interest rates. Those of us who are debt-free and frugal would really appreciate it! :) 8 months ago

If you think season 3 is great – just wait for 4 and 5! Such a phenomenally produced show! Enjoy! 8 months ago

Placed my baubles in the loving hands of a great jeweler who is going to work to get my rings sold and give me 60% of the profit! Ka-ching! 9 months ago

I’ve completely speeches 3 and 4 now, but for some reason I’m stalling on speech 5. I have quite a few speech ideas floating around inside my noggin: a belly dancing tutorial or an intro to opera are the first to come to mind. I also want to give a speech about quitting my job, because it was one of the best decisions I ever made, and I only wish that I had done it sooner.

Despite having had a lot of time to relax lately, I am still employed sporadically (on my own terms, thankyouverymuch) and I have a lot of other areas of my life fighting for attention. Still, I need to give some speeches! 9 months ago

I’m only about 2.5 projects away from completion! Hooray!!

So proud that I can finally contribute to my club’s DCP status! (we’ve been President’s Distiguished since forever!) 9 months ago

Im so sentimental. It’s difficult to pare things down but I’ve made some headway with my little storage nook in my kitchen. No more boxes! 9 months ago

Found a jeweler who is going to give me a quote on my jewelry. As long as it’s 50% of market value I will be unloading these wretched baubles and lining my savings account with a few grand (fingers crossed!). 9 months ago

Getting closer! I upped my monthly savings to $200 per month. Feels really good to have that cushion behind me, particularly since I quit my miserable job! (yay!!!) If it comes down to it I may use some savings to help me get by but I’ve already been short listed at 4-5 companies and have one potential job offer making a lot more than I was previously (double yay!). Still not sure it’s the job I really want but I get to be picky since I’m told that I’m a very hirable candidate, even in this crappy market. :)

So long story short, I’m on track to have $10k saved by the end of 2013! :) 9 months ago

Last month I was in a musical with some AMAZING performers. It was a beautiful feeling to be on stage again with such generous and loving people.

This month I start shooting a music video for my friend’s hip hop opera/chamber music project. I am completely flattered that he asked me and I’m thrilled to be tangentially related to the music in this project. It’s part contemporary orchestration with emceeing and other vocal parts. Exquisite poetry in the musical lines and deeply moving music in the spoken words. I am so blessed to be part of this project. 18 months ago

Finished my “Organize Your Speech” project on “How to Prepare for Burning Man” and I’m already signed up for Speech #3 & #4! My second speech was a little easier because I was way less nervous, but a little harder because I felt I had less time to prepare for it due to my upcoming trip, two dance performances and a speech that I had to work on for a client presentation.

Now I need to pick a new speech topic! My next speech project is “Get to the Point” where I need to be really concise with the overall message I’m trying to convey. It’s a tricky project because a lot of topics will fit that mold, but it’s not always easy to make sure I stick to the objectives (I usually want to say more than I have time for!). Five to seven minutes is like an eye blink for me!

I’m thinking I may do a persuasive speech on why people should give opera a chance as an entertainment option. I feel like most people have misconceptions about opera and classical music being very snooty and inaccessible, when really all it comes down to is exposure in order to enjoy it on a fundamental level.

That’s ONE idea…I have over a month to prep, but I want to really refine this speech and hit that target spot of “getting to the point” and for me this process takes time boiling down details into the essential elements. Wish me luck! 21 months ago

I attacked my desk with a vengeance! So I ended up getting rid of close to 50% of what was on it, wiped it down, finally set up my speakers correctly so the cords are hidden, opened my windows and aired out my room and sprayed some scented spray. The difference is really dramatic. I wish I had taken before and after pictures. Now my desk is really “complete” because my desk shelves and drawers were already purged and organized some time ago (though I think there’s room to purge those areas again).

Next up will be my kitchen dining area. I have a small stack of boxes that are dominating that room of my apartment and it is such a cute space to entertain and eat in. I’d use it more if I could purge more stuff! 21 months ago

That’s what I felt when I went to the Prepare for the Playa fair last weekend. All the colorful people, the music, just a little taste of “home” right there on Indiana St. Plus I was able to get some bit chin’ new clothes (including a pink furry hat with cat ears!!!).

Less than TWO WEEKS until I’m there with two of the most beautiful people I know.

This Friday I’m going to another even at The Crucible to get me some more EL Wire for my clothes and my bike! Squeee!! 21 months ago

Ok, still haven’t got this perfect. My troupe members say I have it, but I’m not convinced. I have the DOWN 3/4 all right, but the UP (which should be easier) gets sloppy after about 15 seconds of doing it. This is such a beautiful step and so critical if I want to delve farther into tribal belly dance.

On a side note, I got moved up into the Master class level at my cabaret studio and my tribal studio teacher said, “I have my eye on you!” Man, I was over the moon since I idolize these women! 21 months ago

Haven’t devoted much time to this goal because I have been wicked busy, but a week ago I went through my dresser and extracted about 5% of its contents to either throw away or donate. That was a fairly good start. Tonight I’m going to attack my desk, which is overrun with papers of all stripes. Gotta keep thinking, every tenth thing I touch has to go (or one out of every ten things anyway…)

Wish me luck! 21 months ago

On my second day of detoxing and I feel physically much better today than yesterday. No caffeine withdrawal symptoms to speak of, and I didn’t even have my yerba mate until a couple hours into work. I felt rested when I woke up this morning (amazing!), and I think it’s because I didn’t caffeinated myself after work as I normally do.

At my Toastmaster’s meeting tonight, I was super energetic and giggly, because the people there are sincere, positive and supportive in a way that’s actually meaningful. The activities that I do outside of work are really what keep me going these days, and I think the detox is helping to enhance those experiences.

Still taking my liver detox pills which are really helping to flush out my system. Eating lots of good foods, though I did indulge in a plain donut today. (Like I said, I’m not for extreme, “all or nothing” diets – they don’t work.)

Tomorrow is gym time, now that my back has completely stopped being a jerk to me (actually I think I was the “jerk” by injuring it!). Looking forward to blowing off some cardio steam and some more toxins from my body, so I can sleep before my big presentation day on Thursday! 21 months ago

I’m really inspired by your goal and the incentive/penalty you’ve added to it. I have a very similar weight-loss goal, so I am rooting for you extra hard! :) 21 months ago

Since I’m not one for “all or nothing” diets or detoxes, here are my simple detox rules:

- Spend time cleaning (really cleaning) my living space every week. (So far: vacuumed and wiped down bedroom and bathroom floors, cleaned toilet, tub and both sinks)

- Reduce caffeine intake by 75%. (So far: Did NOT get my morning latte or my afternoon iced latte. My coffee drinking has been out of control, so this was excruciatingly hard. I did have two cups of Yerba Mate which equaled 1/2 cup of coffee since it’s a milder Yerba Mate blend).

- Take Liver Detox supplements. (So far: starting out with one in the morning and one at night, per instructions, then will increase to two in am & pm. Also taking Garlique which is good for the heart.)

- Cut out all fast food. (So far: so good!)

- Incorporate fresh & dried fruits, fruit juices, nuts and fiber sources into diet. (So far: Doing really well with this and can honestly say, my stomach, for the first time in a long time, does not feel inflamed.)

- Eat as little processed food as possible. (So far: Doing well here, too. Went shopping at Whole Foods, Safeway, Pharmaca and Trader Joe’s so I’m stocked up on the things I love and are good for me!)

- Practice beauty routine. (So far: legs are shaved and scrubbed, and I gave myself a deep clean facial.)

- Destress. (So far: Dancing my ass off four times a week and continually finding things to laugh at with Simon. He appreciates both my geeky/smart humor and my childish humor. A rare find!) 21 months ago

I’ve been contemplating a detox for several months. I don’t want to do anything crazy like the Master Cleanse, but I have a fitness goal I’m working towards and my diet is definitely one of the culprits that is holding me back. Plus I’d like to get my caffeine addiction in check and feel better, in general.

Tonight I went to my favorite local health & wellness store and got a liver detox kit, some teas and then went grocery shopping for some good wholesome food.

When I honestly assess my eating habits I can say they are pretty lousy lately, or at least they are bad when I’m not making a concerted effort to make good decisions. Also, I eat too much mostly because I wait too long to eat.

So starting this week, it’s home cooking’ for me! I’m going to bring my lunch to work and also see if I can’t hit the gym before work now that my back is not all messed up.

Here’s to better health! 21 months ago

Recently, I purchased a brand new computer (which I am very excited about), so now I can use my fancy schmancy Quicken software. It’s amazing! I’m able to track ALL my spending and deposits from all my accounts, create monthly budgets and it creates graphs to show me where my money is going (Hello, Peet’s Coffee! Haha!).

I also upped my monthly savings amount to $150.00 from $100.00 to my secondary savings account, but I moved the date back to right after my second paycheck of the month, so the first one covers rent and the second one pays for the savings. I realize that I’m not yet saving 10% of my income, which is the general “rule of thumb”, but I’m learning how to live on less and get my monthly savings goal up to that 10% mark.

How exciting it will be when I finally reach that $10K goal! 21 months ago