I promise, I have an excuse. I just finished my "Leadership in Higher Education" course this past weekend, and I was required to write at least 3 blogs a week for the course - so as an amateur blogger, that was hard. Adding more entries into this blog would have been even harder.
Also, I sure haven't felt very "balanced" lately, so it's been hard to find inspiration to write, but I'm going to force myself to have inspiration.
In addition to all the craziness of school, I also started my new position two and a half weeks ago, and have not had much down time on the job. As I don't have internet at home, that fact has also made it difficult to write.
Now that my excuses are written down and out of the system, no more are allowed. I want to write here. I miss it. I love it.
My next post will actually be one with purpose, as you will find out when you read it. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Slacker!
Yes, it's true...I've been a slacker, but only with the blog I promise! Since my last post in June I've been hired for a new job, started my next graduate school course focusing on leadership, passed the motorcycle safety course (meaning I can legally ride a motorcycle, bwahahaha) and spent time with my mom during the two weeks she was in Washington. Whew! Life has sure been full!
During this time things have been good, but they have also been bad. I've definitely had some great highs and some disastrous lows. For now, I will focus on the lows, as I seem to learn more from reflecting on times of hardship.
First thing first, I don't like how I treat my mom sometimes. I mean I know everyone gets frustrated with their parents at one time or another, but I feel like I do so more often than not. I want to learn to show her the love and respect that I really do hold in my heart instead of only exhibiting impatience.
Another low I noticed happened repeatedly during different situations: I am really, REALLY hard on myself. I beat myself up like nobody else can. This is NOT a good thing. I need to learn to hold myself to a high standard, while still going easy when times get rough. The prime example of this was during the Motorcycle Safety course. I was doing just find during practice. Sure I would get frustrated here and there when I wouldn't understand a maneuver before we moved onto the next, but I was having fun nonetheless. But the test was a whole different story. During the first exercise ("the box"), I messed up; I put the bike in the wrong gear thus making it very difficult. I didn't stall or drop the bike, but I did mess up the maneuver...and what did I do? I got frustrated at myself. This made the next two tests even harder than they should have been. By the end of the testing I was SURE I didn't pass. Greg and Megan kept assuring me that I didn't do nearly as bad as I felt I did, but they could not convince me otherwise. I did not let up on myself until that license was in my hand. This is something I have been doing since I can remember...coming out of class and swearing that I did horribly on a test, etc. It needs to stop.
Now I promise I'm not going to simply make this blog about all my problems. I know that I do a lot of things right as well. I was hired for an awesome job which I will start next month after my much needed vacation to Oregon. That is a feat! I know I was up against some tough competition. This is just the boost I need to get my professional life back on track. Some of my previous experiences have not been the most healthy and I need to snap out of that. I know I am better than I give myself credit for.
Moral of the story today is this: Go easy on yourself Rachel! If you don't believe in and root for yourself, nobody else will want to either.
During this time things have been good, but they have also been bad. I've definitely had some great highs and some disastrous lows. For now, I will focus on the lows, as I seem to learn more from reflecting on times of hardship.
First thing first, I don't like how I treat my mom sometimes. I mean I know everyone gets frustrated with their parents at one time or another, but I feel like I do so more often than not. I want to learn to show her the love and respect that I really do hold in my heart instead of only exhibiting impatience.
Another low I noticed happened repeatedly during different situations: I am really, REALLY hard on myself. I beat myself up like nobody else can. This is NOT a good thing. I need to learn to hold myself to a high standard, while still going easy when times get rough. The prime example of this was during the Motorcycle Safety course. I was doing just find during practice. Sure I would get frustrated here and there when I wouldn't understand a maneuver before we moved onto the next, but I was having fun nonetheless. But the test was a whole different story. During the first exercise ("the box"), I messed up; I put the bike in the wrong gear thus making it very difficult. I didn't stall or drop the bike, but I did mess up the maneuver...and what did I do? I got frustrated at myself. This made the next two tests even harder than they should have been. By the end of the testing I was SURE I didn't pass. Greg and Megan kept assuring me that I didn't do nearly as bad as I felt I did, but they could not convince me otherwise. I did not let up on myself until that license was in my hand. This is something I have been doing since I can remember...coming out of class and swearing that I did horribly on a test, etc. It needs to stop.
Now I promise I'm not going to simply make this blog about all my problems. I know that I do a lot of things right as well. I was hired for an awesome job which I will start next month after my much needed vacation to Oregon. That is a feat! I know I was up against some tough competition. This is just the boost I need to get my professional life back on track. Some of my previous experiences have not been the most healthy and I need to snap out of that. I know I am better than I give myself credit for.
Moral of the story today is this: Go easy on yourself Rachel! If you don't believe in and root for yourself, nobody else will want to either.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Taking Time For Myself
So I'm getting off work early today. Usually on a day like this I would go home and lay around all night until Greg got off work - then on Saturday I would feel completely unfulfilled because on the evening before I took no time for myself. Well not today!
Today I am going to do two very productive and fun things. First, I am going to visit two museums right by my work (considering our office is literally blocks from the National Mall). I'm heading to the National Gallery of Art first to see a really interesting photography exhibit by Richard Misrach. The exhibit is called "Ocean Views" and is a collection of a bunch of photographs taken of people on the beach. I didn't find the title too interesting, but after I read the description I knew I had to see it:
"For more than thirty years, the American photographer Richard Misrach (b. 1949) has made provocative work that addresses contemporary society's relationship to nature, especially the American West. Since 2001, he has made a series of large scale (six by ten feet), lushly colored photographs of swimmers and sunbathers in Hawaii. Looking down from a hotel room directly adjacent to the beach, he has eliminated all references to the horizon and sky to record people immersed in the idyllic environment. Yet, despite the beauty of the scene, a strange sense of disquietude pervades these photographs. Made in the days immediately after September 11, 2001, these photographs speak of the unease and sense of foreboding that pervaded the country after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The title of the series, On the Beach, is drawn from Nevil Shute's cold war novel about nuclear holocaust. This exhibition will present 19 of these photographs."
WOW! I'm really excited about this. It makes me want to see more of his exhibits. I think I just might.
After that it's off to the Museum of Natural History where I will see a photography exhibit entitled "Ocean Views". Pretty self explanatory, it is a bunch of nature photographs taken both beneath and on the surface of the ocean. Humorous how they coincide so well. While I'm sure I will look at other things along the way, these are the two exhibits I will set out to see. No longer will I go home and sulk rather than taking advantage of my incredible surroundings!
Then on the way home I will stop off at Pentagon City for an adventure of another kind: shopping for a business suit. I have a really exciting job interview next week and I want to enter into it feeling as professional and confident as possible.
This should be an great evening. I am excited. Doesn't it make you want to go out and enjoy time to yourself?
Today I am going to do two very productive and fun things. First, I am going to visit two museums right by my work (considering our office is literally blocks from the National Mall). I'm heading to the National Gallery of Art first to see a really interesting photography exhibit by Richard Misrach. The exhibit is called "Ocean Views" and is a collection of a bunch of photographs taken of people on the beach. I didn't find the title too interesting, but after I read the description I knew I had to see it:
"For more than thirty years, the American photographer Richard Misrach (b. 1949) has made provocative work that addresses contemporary society's relationship to nature, especially the American West. Since 2001, he has made a series of large scale (six by ten feet), lushly colored photographs of swimmers and sunbathers in Hawaii. Looking down from a hotel room directly adjacent to the beach, he has eliminated all references to the horizon and sky to record people immersed in the idyllic environment. Yet, despite the beauty of the scene, a strange sense of disquietude pervades these photographs. Made in the days immediately after September 11, 2001, these photographs speak of the unease and sense of foreboding that pervaded the country after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The title of the series, On the Beach, is drawn from Nevil Shute's cold war novel about nuclear holocaust. This exhibition will present 19 of these photographs."
WOW! I'm really excited about this. It makes me want to see more of his exhibits. I think I just might.
After that it's off to the Museum of Natural History where I will see a photography exhibit entitled "Ocean Views". Pretty self explanatory, it is a bunch of nature photographs taken both beneath and on the surface of the ocean. Humorous how they coincide so well. While I'm sure I will look at other things along the way, these are the two exhibits I will set out to see. No longer will I go home and sulk rather than taking advantage of my incredible surroundings!
Then on the way home I will stop off at Pentagon City for an adventure of another kind: shopping for a business suit. I have a really exciting job interview next week and I want to enter into it feeling as professional and confident as possible.
This should be an great evening. I am excited. Doesn't it make you want to go out and enjoy time to yourself?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Spark of Inspiration
I had a job interview today. Although I'm not sure how it went yet (I should know by next week), that is not the point of this blog. The point is, I've been in a MAJOR rut for...oh...2 years or so! Now, some parts of my life have definitely taken off, especially my love life and my academic life. However, the professional part of my life is still struggling, to say the least.
So the interview today reminded me of a real goal, and mission for my life. To be the most passionate, intriguing and fulfilled person possible. I want to have a job that is challenging, engaging, intellectual and fun. I want to ride a motorcycle to work. I want to be in the church choir. I want to be a hiker. I want to be half of the cutest couple on earth. I want to travel and live abroad. I want to be active and healthy, well into my 90's. I want to love my life - EVERY part of it.
Now this isn't to say there won't be parts of my job, the church choir, the hiking, the exercise, some of the travel experiences, and my relationships that will be unenjoyable. However, the overall tone of my life will be balanced and enjoyable.
So there you have it. I'm inspired to achieve these goals. I want to live a passionate, intriguing, and fulfilling life!
So the interview today reminded me of a real goal, and mission for my life. To be the most passionate, intriguing and fulfilled person possible. I want to have a job that is challenging, engaging, intellectual and fun. I want to ride a motorcycle to work. I want to be in the church choir. I want to be a hiker. I want to be half of the cutest couple on earth. I want to travel and live abroad. I want to be active and healthy, well into my 90's. I want to love my life - EVERY part of it.
Now this isn't to say there won't be parts of my job, the church choir, the hiking, the exercise, some of the travel experiences, and my relationships that will be unenjoyable. However, the overall tone of my life will be balanced and enjoyable.
So there you have it. I'm inspired to achieve these goals. I want to live a passionate, intriguing, and fulfilling life!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Balance Buster: Internet Addiction
Ironic, that I am on the internet writing about this particular buster of balance. The subject of internet addiction came up during my counseling class last night and it got me thinking. This might be a somewhat long and often tangential blog; for that, I apologize in advance.
I'll try to keep it as short and sensible as possible. So here goes:
I am a self-proclaimed internet addict. However, I don't know too many people in my generation who aren't. I mean, we practically grew up with the internet. The internet is used heavily for shopping, entertainment, socialization, research and education, and heck, I even met the man I'm going to marry online. So it's not all-in-all a bad thing. However, it can tend to get overwhelming, time consuming, wasteful, and just plain addictive.
Let me give you an example. Right now I do clerical work, so 95% of my workday is spent sitting in front of a computer screen. To be honest, this drives me insane, but right now it is the means to an end. This means that for nearly 8 hours every day I am tempted by the vastness of the web. It is hard to resist constantly looking up new information, checking facebook for updates, finding new blogs to keep me informed on different subjects, watching random youtube videos, and the gazillion other options offered within the giant chasm of the web. No wonder it seems that some people are working more hours and getting less done! Thankfully, I am not addicted to shopping or in an intimate relationship with a blackberry - I cringe to think where I'd be if that were the case!
The other thing is, the internet is the primary reason for my case of information overload. I mean, I can find arguments on any side of any topic I want to look into. It's disgusting really. I mean, I love having information and all but come on! For a person like me who suffers from "analysis paralysis", I feel like I have to look up every single angle of anything before I make a decision. I feel inclined to give another example here. I am trying to get my IRA where I want it to be...and I know that at my young age I need to invest in more aggressive things such as mutual funds, stocks, etc. Well, right now my money is just kind of sitting because I can't figure out which company to get my IRA with, which stocks to put them in, etc. The more I read, the more overwhelmed I get and the less likely I am to buckle down and make a decision. Right now, I have more than enough info to proceed, I just need to do it. But do I? No, I'd rather just keep looking up information til I explode. Oy! It can get so aggravating.
I could write more on the subject, but I hope the point has gotten across. Just in case that is not the case, here is the moral of the story: the internet is a dangerous necessity. It's hard to operate in today's culture without being very versed in the internet. However, it is easy to become consumed. I can spend hours upon hours online without even knowing it. I juggle between windows - reading a blog here, writing a blog there, checking a facebook status here, watching a youtube video there, etcetera, ad nauseam. Instead of feeling productive, I feel as though several hours of my very existence has gone to waste. I know that is a little overboard, but I look back and think how much I would have rather finished one of the good books I'm reading, called a friend, taken a walk, or done something more active. I know the choice is mine, I just need to learn to start consciously making that choice.
There are numerous habits I am trying to develop in my life, especially those related to health. So why don't I take the time I'm often "wasting" online doing nothing and go for a run, or cook some meals to take to work as lunch, or something like that? Instead of being obsessed with facebook updates, I should read a book that I might actually gain some knowledge from. Instead of reading that "Bob is enamoured with his new argyle sweater" I want to read about how to communicate better with friends.
I'd like to turn my love/hate relationship with the internet more toward love.
I'll try to keep it as short and sensible as possible. So here goes:
I am a self-proclaimed internet addict. However, I don't know too many people in my generation who aren't. I mean, we practically grew up with the internet. The internet is used heavily for shopping, entertainment, socialization, research and education, and heck, I even met the man I'm going to marry online. So it's not all-in-all a bad thing. However, it can tend to get overwhelming, time consuming, wasteful, and just plain addictive.
Let me give you an example. Right now I do clerical work, so 95% of my workday is spent sitting in front of a computer screen. To be honest, this drives me insane, but right now it is the means to an end. This means that for nearly 8 hours every day I am tempted by the vastness of the web. It is hard to resist constantly looking up new information, checking facebook for updates, finding new blogs to keep me informed on different subjects, watching random youtube videos, and the gazillion other options offered within the giant chasm of the web. No wonder it seems that some people are working more hours and getting less done! Thankfully, I am not addicted to shopping or in an intimate relationship with a blackberry - I cringe to think where I'd be if that were the case!
The other thing is, the internet is the primary reason for my case of information overload. I mean, I can find arguments on any side of any topic I want to look into. It's disgusting really. I mean, I love having information and all but come on! For a person like me who suffers from "analysis paralysis", I feel like I have to look up every single angle of anything before I make a decision. I feel inclined to give another example here. I am trying to get my IRA where I want it to be...and I know that at my young age I need to invest in more aggressive things such as mutual funds, stocks, etc. Well, right now my money is just kind of sitting because I can't figure out which company to get my IRA with, which stocks to put them in, etc. The more I read, the more overwhelmed I get and the less likely I am to buckle down and make a decision. Right now, I have more than enough info to proceed, I just need to do it. But do I? No, I'd rather just keep looking up information til I explode. Oy! It can get so aggravating.
I could write more on the subject, but I hope the point has gotten across. Just in case that is not the case, here is the moral of the story: the internet is a dangerous necessity. It's hard to operate in today's culture without being very versed in the internet. However, it is easy to become consumed. I can spend hours upon hours online without even knowing it. I juggle between windows - reading a blog here, writing a blog there, checking a facebook status here, watching a youtube video there, etcetera, ad nauseam. Instead of feeling productive, I feel as though several hours of my very existence has gone to waste. I know that is a little overboard, but I look back and think how much I would have rather finished one of the good books I'm reading, called a friend, taken a walk, or done something more active. I know the choice is mine, I just need to learn to start consciously making that choice.
There are numerous habits I am trying to develop in my life, especially those related to health. So why don't I take the time I'm often "wasting" online doing nothing and go for a run, or cook some meals to take to work as lunch, or something like that? Instead of being obsessed with facebook updates, I should read a book that I might actually gain some knowledge from. Instead of reading that "Bob is enamoured with his new argyle sweater" I want to read about how to communicate better with friends.
I'd like to turn my love/hate relationship with the internet more toward love.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Balance Buster: Saving for Retirement
First of all, WOW - it has been far too long since Greg and I have written. Sorry. I attribute it to laziness, but it will stop, because I miss blogging. That being said, let me delve into today's post.
I figured I could piggyback on the previous post of "financial balance". In addition to sometimes having a hard time finding the line between saving and spending, I'm also having issues finding another fine line: saving for retirement vs. living in the now. I understand that any "financial guru" I speak with will tell me to max out all my retirement savings, and I do think that's a good idea. However, right now, I don't think I have the means to do that. If I were to truly max out a Roth, that would be more than 20% of my income, and that's not including savings for short term goals. And once I put that money in there, I can't touch it. I mean, yes I would love to have a healthy retirement, but at the same time, we are never guaranteed time on this earth. I do think it's important to save for the far-away future, but I also think it's important live every day in the present.
For example, I don't want to wait until I'm 70 to travel the world. I want to start now! I mean, what if I'm not around when I'm 70, or what if I'm disabled. Of course I don't want these things to happen, but life is unpredictable. I know I can't have everything now, and it is important to let my money grow and work for me, but I believe it is equally as important to do the most with the time we are given. So until I start earning more money, I will fund my retirement account to the best of my ability, but I will also not allow myself to feel guilty about taking a wonderful vacation with the love my life instead of funding it to the max.
Just my two cents! Look for more later.
I figured I could piggyback on the previous post of "financial balance". In addition to sometimes having a hard time finding the line between saving and spending, I'm also having issues finding another fine line: saving for retirement vs. living in the now. I understand that any "financial guru" I speak with will tell me to max out all my retirement savings, and I do think that's a good idea. However, right now, I don't think I have the means to do that. If I were to truly max out a Roth, that would be more than 20% of my income, and that's not including savings for short term goals. And once I put that money in there, I can't touch it. I mean, yes I would love to have a healthy retirement, but at the same time, we are never guaranteed time on this earth. I do think it's important to save for the far-away future, but I also think it's important live every day in the present.
For example, I don't want to wait until I'm 70 to travel the world. I want to start now! I mean, what if I'm not around when I'm 70, or what if I'm disabled. Of course I don't want these things to happen, but life is unpredictable. I know I can't have everything now, and it is important to let my money grow and work for me, but I believe it is equally as important to do the most with the time we are given. So until I start earning more money, I will fund my retirement account to the best of my ability, but I will also not allow myself to feel guilty about taking a wonderful vacation with the love my life instead of funding it to the max.
Just my two cents! Look for more later.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Financial Balance
As I alluded to in my post on Wednesday, I have been BOMBARDED with ideas to write about. One area I've been working on lately is finances and trying balance those out. By balance in this context I don't mean like balance an account, I mean balance spending habits. I've never been bad with finances by any means - the only real debt I've had is in the form of student loans. However, lately I've been on this saving splurge. With the prospect of a wedding, down payment on a home and a few other possible major purchases looming I've set VERY high financial goals for myself. There is a part of me that feels like this is causing me to avoid truly living in the moment.
Don't get me wrong, I don't ever want to be a major spender and go out to dinner every night, feel the need to blow money on alcohol, buy a new car, make major purchases I don't need, or anything like that. However, there is some merit to truly living and enjoying the money you have been given. It's almost as if I'm afraid to spend money on anything other than basic necessities. Granted I am planning to splurge on a few vacations coming up this summer, but other than that I'm fine to just get by.
There has been some fun in this - finding creative ways to make really cheap, yet very tasty meals; figuring out what inexpensive and even free things there are to do around my area; taking up new hobbies, etc. However, I want to make sure I don't become "cheap" or miserly. So I have to find my balance. I think that simply by keeping this in mind, I'll remember to find the balance between spending and saving, but just wanted to let everyone in on what's rolling around in my brain this morning.
Don't get me wrong, I don't ever want to be a major spender and go out to dinner every night, feel the need to blow money on alcohol, buy a new car, make major purchases I don't need, or anything like that. However, there is some merit to truly living and enjoying the money you have been given. It's almost as if I'm afraid to spend money on anything other than basic necessities. Granted I am planning to splurge on a few vacations coming up this summer, but other than that I'm fine to just get by.
There has been some fun in this - finding creative ways to make really cheap, yet very tasty meals; figuring out what inexpensive and even free things there are to do around my area; taking up new hobbies, etc. However, I want to make sure I don't become "cheap" or miserly. So I have to find my balance. I think that simply by keeping this in mind, I'll remember to find the balance between spending and saving, but just wanted to let everyone in on what's rolling around in my brain this morning.
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