I moved in to my new apartment a full month ago, and until this weekend, paintings were still leaning against walls, my drill and hammer were perching on any available surface, and random cleaning bottles my neighbor kindly left for me were still hanging around.
It was driving me crazy. I'm the type of person that needs to organize things asap otherwise I feel unsettled. My lack-of-organization was lasting so long even a friend mentioned that it wasn't like me. I think it was taking me so long to "move in" because I need to purchase a few big-item pieces, like a new desk and TV stand, and I can't afford them right now. So, no need to organize if I can't do it right, right?
No. Yesterday I tackled my sad little messy apartment. I bought some hooks and shelves from Amazon, and went to work putting them up and putting stuff on them. And, wow: vertical space. How has it taken me so long to realize that, though my apartment is small on horizontal space, I have acres of vertical space? I don't need an entryway table, because I can buy a shelf that will serve as a landing zone for entry-and-exit necessities. I don't need to keep dumping my bag and coat on the back of the couch, because I can buy a hook to put that stuff on! My art doesn't have to sit on the floor, because it belongs on the wall! It's ridiculous how happy a few hooks and shelves have made me, and now all that shit is up off the floor and my apartment feels bigger.
I just purchased a utility closet rolling shelf unit, and I'm so excited. It will give me much more useable vertical space for the closet, and really open it up. Plus I will actually be able to get my vacuum out of the closet without everything else tumbling down.
I just can't believe it took me so long to realize that walls could be more than walls. Viva vertical space!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Dressy
Selena Gomez
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Venice Film Festival
Photo credit: ?
Selena Gomez
Venice Film Festival (again)
Kate Hudson
Toronto Film Festival
Photo Credit: M. Abeyewardene/BroadImage
Gwyneth Paltrow
Toronto Film Festival
Photo credit: MediaPunch Inc./Rex USA
Emma Watson
MTV Video Music Awards
Photo credit: Matt Sayles/Invison/AP
America Ferrera
Toronto Film Festival
Photo credit: Eric Charbonneau/WireImage
Monday, September 3, 2012
Work Vacation
Tomorrow evening I head out to Portland, OR for a work-related workshop. Less than two months into this new job, and they're already sending me to out-of-state workshops! I like it. I get to stay in a hotel, eat out every meal, and see my best friend who just happens to live in Portland (and oh yeah, learn about stuff...). It's like an educational vacation for free!
Meaning, however, that I will be quiet this week, but with hopefully lots to tell you about when I return. Have a lovely first week of September!
Meaning, however, that I will be quiet this week, but with hopefully lots to tell you about when I return. Have a lovely first week of September!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Resolution Update #8
Here's the break-down for August.
Resolution #1: Be good to my body
Result: 17% (abysmal)
A. Go to the gym once a week: 0/4 (0%)
B. Stretch once a week: 1/4 (25%)
C. Drink a glass of green tea a week: 1/4 (25%)
This is pretty bad. I canceled my gym membership last month in favor of a closer gym on campus, but never got around to getting the new membership. Have to do that this month.
Resolution #2: Be more mindful
Result: 61%
A. Write in my journal once a week: 5/4 (125%!)
B. Meditate once a week: 0/4 (0%)
C. Only spend one hour on the internet every weekday at home: 13/23 (57%!)
Resolution #3: See one movie a month in theater
Result: Fail
Resolution #4: Buy one piece of clothing per month
Result: Resounding success!!
I'm so excited about the clothes I bought in August: two blazers, two dresses, and a belt. All work appropriate and cute; they make me feel like a grown-up.
Resolution #5: Read two books per month
Result: Fail
Wow. This is the first time I ever failed this resolution. That's because for most of August (and a bit of July...) I was reading Great Expectations, which is, as we all remember from 9th grade English class, freaking long. It took me forever to get through, though I enjoyed reading it again. Pip and Estella are totally not meant for each other (sorry Pip), and I picked up on much more of the humor as an adult.
Resolution #6: Keep track of my finances via spreadsheet
Result: Half-assed
I tracked my expenses for the first few weeks of August, then let it slip, as I was buying a lot on my new income. Oops. Still solvent though, which is the important thing!
Resolution #1: Be good to my body
Result: 17% (abysmal)
A. Go to the gym once a week: 0/4 (0%)
B. Stretch once a week: 1/4 (25%)
C. Drink a glass of green tea a week: 1/4 (25%)
This is pretty bad. I canceled my gym membership last month in favor of a closer gym on campus, but never got around to getting the new membership. Have to do that this month.
Resolution #2: Be more mindful
Result: 61%
A. Write in my journal once a week: 5/4 (125%!)
B. Meditate once a week: 0/4 (0%)
C. Only spend one hour on the internet every weekday at home: 13/23 (57%!)
Resolution #3: See one movie a month in theater
Result: Fail
Resolution #4: Buy one piece of clothing per month
Result: Resounding success!!
I'm so excited about the clothes I bought in August: two blazers, two dresses, and a belt. All work appropriate and cute; they make me feel like a grown-up.
Resolution #5: Read two books per month
Result: Fail
Wow. This is the first time I ever failed this resolution. That's because for most of August (and a bit of July...) I was reading Great Expectations, which is, as we all remember from 9th grade English class, freaking long. It took me forever to get through, though I enjoyed reading it again. Pip and Estella are totally not meant for each other (sorry Pip), and I picked up on much more of the humor as an adult.
Resolution #6: Keep track of my finances via spreadsheet
Result: Half-assed
I tracked my expenses for the first few weeks of August, then let it slip, as I was buying a lot on my new income. Oops. Still solvent though, which is the important thing!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Boring
I haven't written much this month because there's not a lot to write about: I've been boring. My new job has kind of taken up a lot of my energy, in a great way, and I just haven't been doing too much outside of work.
Still, an update: I hurt my back this weekend playing badminton (?) and it's pretty painful. Sunday and this morning were particularly bad, but this evening it feels better. I've got to be careful and take it easy; now I know what it feels like to be old. :-/
This weekend I am moving to the third floor! I forget what a hassle moving is, and this is no exception, even though I've hired movers. It's just a lot of things to remember: change address with all companies, clean, sort through stuff, pack (ugh), unscrew all the stuff I installed. But the third floor should prove quieter and sunnier, so overall it's a good thing. Plus, my landlord emailed me today and told me he was going to install a free pot rack, so hey!
As far as reading goes, Great Expectations has been my bane this month. I am very much enjoying re-reading it, but it's taking forever. I may need to put it down and pick up a library book, because I'm not going to finish GE before the library book is due back.
And that is basically it. What's going on in your life?
Still, an update: I hurt my back this weekend playing badminton (?) and it's pretty painful. Sunday and this morning were particularly bad, but this evening it feels better. I've got to be careful and take it easy; now I know what it feels like to be old. :-/
This weekend I am moving to the third floor! I forget what a hassle moving is, and this is no exception, even though I've hired movers. It's just a lot of things to remember: change address with all companies, clean, sort through stuff, pack (ugh), unscrew all the stuff I installed. But the third floor should prove quieter and sunnier, so overall it's a good thing. Plus, my landlord emailed me today and told me he was going to install a free pot rack, so hey!
As far as reading goes, Great Expectations has been my bane this month. I am very much enjoying re-reading it, but it's taking forever. I may need to put it down and pick up a library book, because I'm not going to finish GE before the library book is due back.
And that is basically it. What's going on in your life?
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Yosemite
I was quiet at the end of last month because on was on vacation to California, southern and northern, with a large chunk spent in Yosemite National Park for a family reunion.
While at my parents' house, my mom and I spent time shopping for new work-appropriate clothes, and had success. We also did a bit of sewing, a lot of eating, and taking of family photos. The weather was almost enough to make me move back: cool in the morning and evening, and hot but breezy during the day; perfection. I spent a fair bit of time out in the garden.
We drove up to Yosemite in two separate cars, and I was with my dad. The drive to the central valley is beautiful, and then there is nothing to look at until you turn east into the mountains. Yosemite was beautiful, and we have a lot of family history there dating back to the turn of the (last) century. We spent three days in the valley, spending time with family and taking in the sights. It was a pretty good vacation, and I am very happy I could make it with the new job. See pictures below!
While at my parents' house, my mom and I spent time shopping for new work-appropriate clothes, and had success. We also did a bit of sewing, a lot of eating, and taking of family photos. The weather was almost enough to make me move back: cool in the morning and evening, and hot but breezy during the day; perfection. I spent a fair bit of time out in the garden.
We drove up to Yosemite in two separate cars, and I was with my dad. The drive to the central valley is beautiful, and then there is nothing to look at until you turn east into the mountains. Yosemite was beautiful, and we have a lot of family history there dating back to the turn of the (last) century. We spent three days in the valley, spending time with family and taking in the sights. It was a pretty good vacation, and I am very happy I could make it with the new job. See pictures below!
Golden hills, making our way to the central valley
First view of the valley...you can see Half Dome right in the very middle
From the back door of our hotel: Sentinel Rock
Merced River
View of Half Dome from Glacier Point
Valley meadow, so beautiful
Meadow grass. I took a video and downloaded it to my computer, then deleted it from my camera, not knowing it downloaded the video as ONE picture, and NOT a video. ALWAYS check before deleting things from your camera!!
Photo Credit: Me!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Resolution Update #7
Here's how I did in July:
Resolution #1: Be good to my body
Result: 33% (horrible)
A. Go to the gym once a week: 3/4 (75%)
B. Stretch once a week: 1/4 (25%)
C. Drink a glass of green tea once a week: 0/4 (0%)
Resolution #2: Be more mindful
Result: 42% (ugh)
A. Write in my journal once a week: 4/4 (100%!)
B. Meditate once a week: 1/4 (25%)
C. Only spend one hour on the internet every weekday, at home: 0/22 (0%)
Resolution #3: See one movie a month in theater
Result: Fail
Resolution #4: Buy one piece of clothing per month
Result: Resounding success!
I don't even think I can remember all the clothes I bought this month; new job necessitated new clothes!
Resolution #5: Read two books per month
Result: Success!
In July I read Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath, and it was a Newbery Honor Book. I wasn't blown away by this one. Next I read The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America by Bill Bryson. As always, it was great. This book was written in the late 80s, however, and I wish I was either old enough to have read it at the time, or that Bryson would do his trip again and write about current small town America.
Resolution #6: Keep track of my finances via Excel
Result: Eh
So I spent a lot of money in July, and did a pretty good job of tracking expenses until I went on vacation. It's vacation: money doesn't matter, right?
Monthly Recap: I didn't do too badly overall, but getting my new job (yay!) and going on vacation (yay!) made it hard to do things like go to the gym and meditate. Also, it costs money to start a new job (gotta look the part!); good thing I'm now making a lot more!
Resolution #1: Be good to my body
Result: 33% (horrible)
A. Go to the gym once a week: 3/4 (75%)
B. Stretch once a week: 1/4 (25%)
C. Drink a glass of green tea once a week: 0/4 (0%)
Resolution #2: Be more mindful
Result: 42% (ugh)
A. Write in my journal once a week: 4/4 (100%!)
B. Meditate once a week: 1/4 (25%)
C. Only spend one hour on the internet every weekday, at home: 0/22 (0%)
Resolution #3: See one movie a month in theater
Result: Fail
Resolution #4: Buy one piece of clothing per month
Result: Resounding success!
I don't even think I can remember all the clothes I bought this month; new job necessitated new clothes!
Resolution #5: Read two books per month
Result: Success!
In July I read Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath, and it was a Newbery Honor Book. I wasn't blown away by this one. Next I read The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America by Bill Bryson. As always, it was great. This book was written in the late 80s, however, and I wish I was either old enough to have read it at the time, or that Bryson would do his trip again and write about current small town America.
Resolution #6: Keep track of my finances via Excel
Result: Eh
So I spent a lot of money in July, and did a pretty good job of tracking expenses until I went on vacation. It's vacation: money doesn't matter, right?
Monthly Recap: I didn't do too badly overall, but getting my new job (yay!) and going on vacation (yay!) made it hard to do things like go to the gym and meditate. Also, it costs money to start a new job (gotta look the part!); good thing I'm now making a lot more!
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