I Want A Voice!

I went into work this morning to here my boss say that my work from the day before was poor. It was a stab to the heart, but I know that I'm not a bad writer. They expect me to write about a company and a product that I know nothing of. It's almost impossible. My bosses (there's four of them) learned English as a second language, so when speaking to them, I have to press for more answers than normal because things get lost in translation, so easily. Plus, their attitudes wear away at my patience. Some things have to change so I can keep my sanity. Well anyway, I got a power bank from one of them for my birthday. It was very nice of him, especially since I got a vaporizer the end of last year.

Anyway, on to more goals!

Career

I love writing and I love culinary arts. These goals are just to help me explore my options.

1.     Complete My Queen

My Queen is the name of a book I'm writing. It's a desert romance fantasy that I'm somewhat excited about, but I wouldn't know how others would react to it.  I have about 43,000 words down on my draft and I'm expecting to write at least 100,000 words so I have some room to cut it down.

2.     Publish My Queen

My Dream is to become a published author, so I will publish my book, this year would be nice.

3.     Outline Transcendence

Transcendence is another book concept that I have, but I won't be able to write it this year because my focus will be on My Queen.

4.     Enter into 10 writing contests

I've never really given them a try, so I will try to enter some even if it just for practice.

5.     Win 1 Writing Contest

The point of entering a contest is to win! So if I could win even one out of ten, that would be amazing.

6.     Take 3 Culinary Jobs

Some freelance work, of course. I haven't had much experience cooking for strangers. I think its time.

7.     Create an Online Bakery Business Plan

Another dream of mine, but for now I'll focus on getting it down on paper to see if such a thing is feasible.

8.     Make a profit off of an event

I'm not sure what I meant by this, but I think it just has to do with coming up with a small product for a public event. Baked goods maybe?

9.     Start or outline the sequel of My Queen

Well I didn't want to end it at just one book, but I feel if I made it into a super-book, it would be anticlimactic.

10.  Create girl-heart-girl

Girl-heart-girl is the name of a website I wanted to create for Culinary, Spirituality, and for Women who love Women. It's just a dream right now, but I'm hoping to make it into a reality.

I think my career goals are not so bad now that I went through describing them. Most of it is definitely doable.

It's So Cold!

Well today is the third day in the year and work is just swell. I live in South Florida and today the temperature actually fell into the 50s this morning and tonight it will go down to 38 degrees F. While some people might be jealous, praying for it to get to the double digits, all I can say is that for me - 50 degrees F is bad. Heck, I get concerned if it falls below 72.

Anyway 50 degree weather really doesn't bother me if I'm indoors, but due to the lack of transportation, we that is me and my girlfriend, walk to work approximately 3 miles away. With the wind, it took us an hour to get there and as the day went on I started to feel sick.I'm home now and not sneezing as much, so I hope that I'm not really sick.

I listen to Elvis Duran and the morning show every morning at work on 'I heart radio' online and I happened to catch my horoscope. I'm a Capricorn and today's horoscope said, 'Work towards your goals in secret. Don't let everyone know of your plans for the future.' So I thought to myself, 'Are you kidding me. This is the first time I've ever made a blog. This is probably the first time I wanted to share my plans.' Then I laughed and promised myself to proceed with caution.

I officially weighed in yesterday. So my starting point is 129lbs. I think I'll post my weight every week for motivation.

01/02/12 : 129

Now on to sharing my future goals!

Travel and Vacation

All the fun stuff I want to do that cost more money than I have!

14.     Vacation @ Aqua Girl as VIP

What is Aqua Girl? Aqua Girl is an awesome 5 day charity event/ party for women who love women. It's awesome, but I've never been able to go to all of the events I want to and who doesn't want to be VIP. Pool parties, bowling, a comedy show, club parties and more. It's a lesbian fantasy.

15.     Go on a road trip (3+ days)

I've gone on a road trip for myself where I had to do the planning you know to make sure me and whoever is with me will survive. It's just something I always wanted to do.

16.     Travel to California

California is where I would like to live at some point in my life, so I would like to pay a visit. If I could take a road trip there then I'd kill two birds with one stone.

17.     Travel outside of the Country

I don't care where I just want to see the world. I'm always taking cheap and easy suggestions!

18.     Go to an Anime Convention

Yes, I admit it. I love anime, but I've never gone to a convention, so its on my to do list.

19.     Go on a Cruise

I've only gone on those small ones to the Bahamas. The next one I would like to make it count.

20.     Go on a Camping Trip

This is something my family decided to do without me even though I would have love to go camping, so for this I might have to get some nature loving friends ( I don't think I have any) to connect with nature with.

21.     Plan a vacation for Japan

Going would be a dream, but I believe its a little pricey, especially with all the things that I want to this year, so for now I'll make a plan and figure out what I really want to get out of such a trip.

22.     Go to a Cirque du Soleil

My girlfriend actually loves watching these performances and I think going would be a great bonding experience for us.

23.  Gamble and/or Run in Las Vegas

I don't gamble very much, except on Neopets (ha ha) but I think going to Vegas might change my tune. I also know they have so great marathons there so either way, I'll be happy.

I know the traveling goals I've set out will be the most challenging of my future plans, but I'll try my best.

Happy Birthday to Me. Watcha Do? .... Nothing!

Well today is my birthday! I'm 23 and trying to start off the new year strong. My birthday went by like a normal day, which would be shocking to most people my age. I actually got reminded by my girlfriend at 8:30 in the morning while we were walking to work that is was my birthday (just shameful). Didn't think that would happen to me until I was much older.

Anyway, as for what I for a living, I'm a content writer. I write content for websites, magazines, and anything else that needs words. I also do a little SEO work. So I wrote about cosmetic surgery for my old company and now I'm working for a company that creates vaporizers. Honestly, I do enjoy this company a little more. Cosmetic surgery may be fun to do, but it is really boring to write about.

On to my 100 things list. I promised I would explain everything I wrote into it. I'll do one category a day as this could get very wordy. Let's start with health and fitness.

Health and Fitness

1.     Run 5: 5Ks

2.     Run a 5K with a self-made running group of at least 5 people

3.     Run 1: 10K

4.     Run a ½ marathon

5.     Run a full marathon

 I have all of these running challenges because I really like to run. I've never really run competitively, not even in high school (I could hardly run a mile in high school), but it does seem sort of glamorous. So I want to push myself this year to run faster and longer than I ever have (which is 11.2 miles in 1 hr 50 min). One thing I love to do while exercising is to get other people involved. For two months before life got in the way, I managed to convince between 2-5 people (one always being my girlfriend) to get up at 5 a.m. every Saturday to go running in the park which was at least a 30 minute drive. Then we'd hang out for the rest of the day at the farmers market, tennis court, health food stores, and other fun places. Those days were great for bonding even when sleep deprived.

6.     Perform 100 pushups in less than 3 minutes

I've never been that great at push ups I think I could get through 5, but I think just like running with a little training I could really do it!

7.     Run a triathlon

To be clear, I would like to compete in a sprint triathlon which involves a .25-.4 mile swim, a 15 mile bike ride and a 5k run. Doesn't sound too hard except I'm pretty bad at swimming, so if I can avoid having someone drag my lifeless body out of the water, there's a good chance I could do this in a decent amount of time.

8.     Train for at least three months in self defense

I've done a little martial arts in the past, but never really took it seriously. I had this plan to join because my old job just happened to be right by a dojo, but now I'll have to find another way to get in some lessons.

9.     Train for at least three months in pole fitness

Not saying I want become a professional stripper, but I've wanted to do this for a long time. It seems so fun, so kinky, I can resist!

10.  Weigh between 112 – 117 for at least six months

I'm no porky pig, but I do have a little excess weight. I generally weight between 125 - 130lbs, which is not bad, but not that great for the body type I want. So just like millions of people around the world, I made a new years resolutions to get in shape. I'm using a book a found in Publix called '21-Day Belly Melt' as a guide. It reminds me of the Flat Belly Diet and I'm pretty sure its the same thing, but somehow cheaper and easier to follow. 

 

11.  Achieve 19% - 16% body fat for at least six months

There's no point in being skinny if I'm just a bag of fat and bones. I want muscle! I think right now I'm too embarrassed to say what my body fat percentage is.

12.  Eat 50% Organic for at least three months

So I would like 50% of everything I put in my body to be Organic. I would say 100%, but let's face it, I don't have that kind of cash and I want to eat healthily. So I'm not trying it now because of my current situation I can't have a huge food bill, but when I do, I'll make sure to blog about it, with some recipes.

13.  Complete Warrior Dash

The Warrior Dash was awesome. It's a 5k obstacle course. It involves climbing walls, jumping through tires, climbing over junk cars, through mud and jumping over fire. This was a late add in, but I'm so glad I got to do it and it was my first 5k! What a way to start off competitive running. I also got to donate my mud soaked shoes at the end of the course.

I did the run in 40 min 8 sec that put me at about 2,900 out of 7,100, which is good since 5th grade was the last time I climbed a wall and I twisted my ankle after the first obstacle less than a mile in. I'm proud of myself!

Warrior Dash 2011

Yes It Was!!!

Smoked Santa Anyone!

Before the Race!

After: Look how Muddy I Got!

Where Fate Left Me In The New Year.

My new year wasn't that exciting, but that doesn't really bother me considering that I rather spend it home with my girlfriend and many pets, drinking Sangria and watching Michelle Phan's makeup tutorials. It really was entertaining seeing the neighbors fire up a bunch of fireworks in the street. I actually decided to not watch the ball drop on TV this year and went outside to watch the dog freak out over the loud noises. Well the excitement's over and tomorrow's my birthday. In less than 11 hours I'll be 23.

So here is where fate (and bad luck, poor planning, the lack of time and money management skills) left in 2012. My 93' Toyota Corolla broke down on me and needs a new engine. To me, that equals junk. Over a month ago I lost my phone in a Michael's craft store and despite being told they had it, I never recovered my phone. Friday, December 30, 2011 I was laid off because the company I was working for no longer had enough money for payroll. There was no warning and no time to secure another job. Admittedly, I cried a little bit leaving work, but two hours later I was at my old job with a 40% pay decrease, working away the rest of the afternoon. Longer hours for less pay is better than no job at all. That's why you don't burn bridges and I'm not trying to go back home.

Moving on, I have a 100 things list I wanted to accomplish before I'm 24. I started it in November and I've only completed two things, which I've crossed out. I'll put up some pictures later. I was hoping for 2012 to be a good year despite this gruesome start and since my birthday is on the 2nd, the extra day won't hurt.

It is a long list and I won't cry about it if I don't complete it since some of the things I have on it are a little difficult, but I'll try my best to make it. I'll put up the list now and explain everything later.

Health and Fitness

1.     Run 5: 5Ks

2.     Run a 5K with a self-made running group of at least 5 people

3.     Run 1: 10K

4.     Run a ½ marathon

5.     Run a full marathon

6.     Perform 100 pushups in less than 3 minutes

7.     Run a triathlon

8.     Train for at least three months in self defense

9.     Train for at least three months in pole fitness

10.  Weigh between 112 – 117 for at least six months

11.  Achieve 19% - 16% body fat for at least six months

12.  Eat 50% Organic for at least three months

13.  Complete Warrior Dash

Travel and Vacation

14.  Vacation @ Aqua Girl as VIP

15.  Go on a road trip (3+ days)

16.  Travel to California

17.  Travel outside of the Country

18.  Go to an Anime Convention

19.  Go on a Cruise

20.  Go on a Camping Trip

21.  Plan a vacation for Japan

22.  Go to a Cirque du Soleil

23.  Gamble and/or Run in Las Vegas

Career

24.  Complete My Queen

25.  Publish My Queen

26.  Outline Transcendence

27.  Enter into 10 writing contests

28.  Win 1 Writing Contest

29.  Take 3 Culinary Jobs

30.  Create an Online Bakery Business Plan

31.  Make a profit off of an event

32.  Start or outline the sequel of My Queen

33.  Create girl-heart-girl

Food and Wine

34.  Create a 12 course themed formal dinner

35.  Brew 24 wines (6 ritual)

36.  Go to a Food and Wine Festival

37.  Create a Gingerbread House

38.  Create 50^th birthday cake for Mom

39.  Create birthday cake for Ashley

40.  Create eight course meal using molecular gastronomy

41.  Create a series of unique foods or desserts for photograph

42.  Create two formal dinners based on one ingredient

43.  Enter a cooking or baking contest

Financial

44.  Have $5,000 in savings

45.  Raise credit score 50 points

46.  Get proper Health Insurance

47.  Start retirement plan

48.  Research the cost of having a child

49.  Create a personal budget and stick to it for at least three months

Hobbies and Interest

50.  Learn Japanese (well enough to watch a raw movie)

51.  Create a 100 page scrapbook

52.  Embroider Ritual Mat

53.  Embroider Mural

54.  Learn to play the piano

55.  Learn to fish (catch 10)

56.  Learn to make a grow light or environment

57.  Create a Witch’s staff

58.  Complete Embroidery Book

59.  Acquire a Distiller

60.  Create my own incense (10 types, 1000+)

61.  Created my own scented candles (5 types, 20+)

62.  Create my own essential oil (30+, 10+ ounces)

63.  Create my own bath product and hair products (6+)

64.  Learn how to ride a motorcycle

65.  Create a music video

66.  Learn to Knit (5 pieces)

Social and Lifestyle

67.  Compile a Lifestyle Lolita Handbook for Starling’s Lifestyle Lolita

68.  Go to a Lolita meet up or create a club in person or online

69.  Purchase Lolita Dresses (8+ complete outfits)

70.  Join a club with another interest for at least six weeks (Toastmaster?)

71.   Learn proper makeup application

72.  Have 1,000 followers on Twitter

73.  Own 15 pairs of stylish shoes

74.  Go to the Renaissance Fair

75.  Learn to sew and create the My Queen dress

Spirituality

76.  Dedicate myself to the Craft

77.  Memorize the Creation Story

78.  Celebrate at least four Sabbats

79.  Create four Sabbat dinners

80.  Complete the Green Wiccan Year

81.  Keep a Spiritual Journal

82.  Practice yoga once to three times a week for six months

83.  Learn the meaning of the tarot cards

84.  Practice herb magic and learn of 20 herbs and their medicinal uses

85.  Practice meditation once a week for six months

Family

86.  Grow an Organic Garden

87.  Go on 10 nature hikes

88.  Try Rock-climbing

89.  Go Green at Home

90.  Redecorate my home

91.  Go on 5 Romantic Dates

92.  Throw a house party

93.  Watch 7 in theater movies

94.  Neuter all of my bunnies

95.  Acquire a large out door rabbit hut

96.  Take Frankie to the vet and update shot records

97.  Build a Pet Paradise

98.  Have Ashley run the Warrior Dash in 2012

99.  Acquire a new car

100.                 Have a holiday party