NEW JOB!!! AMEN!!!

So, I officially have a new job!!! Can I get an Amen? AMEN!!! It's been a long journey from unemployment to here...but I am so thankful to finally have a job. SO THANKFUL!! I'll be working as the Logistics Manager for an Event Production company. So fun!

Today was my 2nd day and I have to say, it's always awkward starting a new job. UGH, I hate being the new girl and feeling like I don't know anything. AWKWARD!! What makes it even more awkward is that they are super busy getting all these events off the ground...so everyone is running around crazy and I'm sitting there twiddling my thumbs. Mostly because no one has time to explain anything to me...but also because they have yet to give me a working computer or printer...you don't realize how vital those components are until you don't have them.

SO, in order to celebrate me new job...and the make me fill a bit cooler looking when I feel like a useless nerd....I got a sweet new work bag!! I luckily still had money left on a gift card plus I get an instructor discount....so it was a frugal splurge. This way I don't have to bring my laptop to work in a duffle bag. Isn't it cute? I'm in love!

Lululemon Bag
Mine's the black one

Diego on a Dime (megan's version)

So, being pretty much unemployed has made me tap into my inner budget-conscience diva. It's amazing how inventive you are forced to get when you are trying to live of off...well, nothing. So, that being said, I thought I would share some of my forced knowledge with the world.

1)THE PARKING GAME:
Even though I have my entire day free....I wait until 6pm to go running. All of my favorite running destinations have paid parking, but I have learned that if you go after 6pm...the meters are free. (daily savings: $1.00-$1.50)

2)PLAYING THE TIMESHARE CIRCUIT:
Izzy & I spent out Sunday sitting through a really boring 90-minute timeshare presentation...Lord knows I can't even afford one roof over my head, let alone a second...but we had our eye on the prize. The game plan: sit through and smile and in the end say "no thanks"....so we did, and we were handsomely rewarded with 2 Padres tickets and a 4 Day/3 Night Vacation to Napa, Tahoe, or San Francisco w/ airfare included. I'd say it was worth the 90 minutes. (savings: um, I dunno..a lot)

3) TAMING THE MANE:
I haven't had any sort of service done to my hair since March...the situation is bleak. I recently started realizing my roots were reminiscent of a trailer park occupant...so I got a box color to make me look less-homeless. But, I'm still left with the situation of a haircut....my ends sort of look like dry hay. So, I've been emailing salons to get on their "hair model" list...which pretty much means is a stylist needs to practice or take a class I can get a free haircut by sitting through their session. I'll let you know how it works out. (potential savings $150+)

4) FUEL SHORTAGE:
To make my fuel get me further I have learned to survive a really hot car. My two rules are (1) no A/C, it wastes gas AND (2) no windows open on the freeway, it creates drag and is less fuel efficient. But, in the end i figure...most people would pay to sit in a sauna, so not only am I saving money on gas...I'm also getting a spa treatment out of the deal to. (savings: limitless)

Hmmm...I'm sure I've got more. I'll keep them coming as I uncover some more insider scoops.

Distractions

Life has been hard lately. I moved out to San Diego with job prospects, however as a pilates instructor, building clientele at your job is something that takes time. So, now I am stuck in client-building limbo...and feeling the financial effects of barely working.

It's times like this that really make me depend on God...but also question my life and choices and discernment. I prayed about whether I should come out here a lot, and while I didn't feel and overwhelming sense of yes..I didn't hear no either. I love it here and am so excited about the place I am working. I love pilates and love teaching and helping clients. SO, I'm looking for other jobs to help support me in the meantime...however, it's hard to not ask God why? a lot.

BUT, for now as I am dwindling down to my last dime and putting in applications to anyone who will take them...I've found some distractions I thought I'd share.

(1) My new favorite website: www.diegoonadime.com is a super fun place to find ideas on how to explore San Diego cheaply. So Fun!

(2) Also, I've been running a lot more since it's free. I found my new favorite website www.mapmyrun.com to help find popular routes and map my own. Yesterday we ran the rim of Fiesta Island and it was so fun. It's this barren island of only beach and a dog park. There is something about the smell of ocean, sand, and campfire. AHH! BLISS!!

Let's try this again...again...

Much like in my younger years when it came to devoting myself to a journal or diary...so am I with this blog. I really like the idea of it...however the faithful execution of it all just falls the the wayside. But, as people do when they find themselves at a personal impasse, I will pick myself up and get back on the blogging wagon. Plus, now that I am an owner of a new Macbook...I feel more mature and geared up for the task at hand.

This whole new blogging start was spurred on by my deep dwelling desire to try my hand again at a journal...I used to be so faithful to them, but, much like this blog, in recent history I have fallen astray. I've had a lot of change going on in my life lately. But, I figured since most times some sort of profound revelation or, in the very least, humorous anecdotes comes out of processing through your life....why not share mine? Plus, as you will learn as I dive into the depths of my current circumstance, I am in what I call "a non-elective financial-fast" (I'm poor) and blogging was the more frugal option; Investing in a journal that may only see and entry or two did not seem like a good investment. So here is goes....

An update of my life since 2008:

1) I finished my Pilates Certification (insert confetti)
2) I met a boy: Israel Alejandro Woolfolk (aka Izzy). This picture pretty much sums up our relationship ;-)

3) I moved to San Diego!

4) And I'm currently working at this kick-ass gym...but without clients yet I am desperately seeking more work:


...Which pretty much brings you up to speed on things. At least the upside of my barely there employment is that I'll have time to blog...hopefully!

Milwaukee Art Museum: After Dark Party

So, in my quest to find something cool about Milwaukee. My sister and I have been trying to make a consience effort to enjoy the city in which we were born. My sis heard from a friend about this after hours event at the Milwaukee Art Museum...which is an archetectual jewel in Milwaukee. It was a fun night mixing some really cool exhibits with some really random "abstract" dance productions by UWM students. But, overall it was defiently worth a night out.

My favorite part however was the photo booth they had set up. The best pics will be features in next years catalog for the event. Here was our attempt at being the best:




And one of our own:

R.I.P. Old Friend!

This weekend I had to say good bye to a good friend. We've spent every day together for the last two years, but on Friday...he died. My beloved Blackberry (or more appropriate, Crackberry) decided to give up on life after a long life. It was a sad day...but I secretly have to admit I have been eyeing the newer model for quite some time now. The silver lining in this grey cloud was that the day it died was the first day I was eligible for a full discount on a new phone. THANK YOU LORD!! I am now the proud owner of a hot red blackberry curve. Yeah!

As a final tribute to my old friend, a picture:

Tattoo!

I've always lived my middle name, JOY! I think it is a quality too often lacking in the world. There are so many things that can bring people down; I love that having Joy as a part of my name is a constant reminder to apply it to my life. For the longest time I have always said I would NEVER get a tattoo...I'm usually too indecisive. But, as usual my declerations, always have a way of overturning themselves. After going through some hard stuff in college, I had a new appreciation for the word JOY. So I started thinking about getting the word Joy in hebrew tattoed on me as a constant visual reminder. From there, everything fell into place. My sisters came to me about wanting tattoos and even got my mom on board, which of course made me jump on board. Then when I started my Pilates training my instructor was this awesome chick from Isreal. So of course I asked her to help me find just the right word.

In the end, my sisters and my mom hadn't decided what they wanted before my older sis was heading off to live in Southeast Asia for the next two years. So, I decided I didn't want to wait, but I brought them along to watch...and take pictures of course. Plus, this way they are even more inspired to get theirs in 2010!

The word I chose is actually used as a name in Isreal. It says Giliyah...which means "My Joy is in God" or "Joy of the LORD"
It comes from GILI, meaning Joy
and YHWH (Yahweh), meaning LORD (God)

GOING INSIDE!


Ascending to my fate! We just thought it was a cool staircase!


Last look at my naked foot...


Almost done...and it totally didn't hurt...which was wierd!


Dan, my new BFF...


The finished product..but it looks so much better when it's not red!