After my last post about how fortunate I have felt lately, I've been thinking. There are many people who cant think like me. For one reason or another, they are down on their luck.
I hurt my knee at the gym yesterday and the pain has gotten a little worse, so I'm stuck in bed right now with a heating pad hoping it gets better soon. It will, but this leads me to a show I just found on TV because of my temporary disability.
The show is on TLC called "I'm pregnant and..." and then they have themes like "in jail", "homeless" and some others. I'm currently watching the "homeless" episode and it is absolutely devastating what these people have to go through. The husband lost his job this year, right around the time they found out the wife was pregnant. They have two other kids and are homeless. They live in a tent and she is about to give birth. Their life is so uncertain and food is an hourly struggle. They depend on society pretty much to feed them and now they are concerned social services are going to come and take their children.
I mean, really? I cant believe this sad situation. And here I am talking about my luck. I am realizing that ANYTHING can be taken away from you in a snap. The stock market could tank tomorrow and I would not have a job. Its just terrifying.
Another strange thing is that this family has been begging for food and money and came up with about $20 one day. They went to the grocery store to find something healthy for mom and baby. It turns out that the cheapest things are the worst for you. The fruits and vegetables she should be eating were way out of their budget and they dont have any way of cooking any of it. That is just plain terrible. You would think the processed and sugary foods would be more expensive and natural foods would be cheaper. Wrong!
Im not trying to be a downer, but I just thought this little story was worth posting because it never hurts to be aware. Aware of how lucky we are to have most things others can only dream about and how quickly some of those things can change. Also, I am going to be moving back to downtown LA where homelessness is way more prevalent than in the OC. I always tried to be friendly and generous to homeless people, but sometimes I was in a rush or scared or couldnt be bothered with giving someone the time of day. I want to make it a goal to think about others when I see them suffering and thinking about what they went through to get to that point.
And the show is ending now...they caught a break! They found someone who will rent them a small home for $20 per week. They had the baby 48 hours later and were able to bring them to an actual HOME. It was so exciting to see. Its so different than everyone I've ever known that has had a baby. They certainly aren't concerned with where they are taking a baby after they are born, but rather which crib(s) to get, the expensive car seat or the latest room decor. Wow! What an eye opener!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
In these last few days
I have felt very fortunate. All of the things I have been stressing about have finally come together!
I want to thank those who have been there along the way (you know who you are) and especially Jake for listening to my rants about stupid things I had no control over.
For those that don't know, we found an apartment to rent in downtown LA last weekend. It is a great place with lots of room and beautiful common areas. Here are a few pictures!
The pool area has an amazing view of the downtown skyline. Little known fact, Jake is obsessed with skylines, so its a pretty big deal!
I have also had a career opportunity come my way that is both exciting and unexpected. I cant divulge details yet because I still have a few things to work out. Very happy to have my life in order, although it will be a very different life!
I'm excited for the long weekend coming up, too. Jake and I are heading to San Diego Sunday and Monday for a much needed getaway alone. I cant wait to relax by the pool and be with my best friend! We are staying in the gaslamp area which has bars, restaurants and shopping all within walking distance. If only this week would go by faster!
First up.....more interviews this week, visiting my grandpa in the hospital, and mattress shopping (gotta get those Memorial Day sales!hahah)
Happy here!
I want to thank those who have been there along the way (you know who you are) and especially Jake for listening to my rants about stupid things I had no control over.
For those that don't know, we found an apartment to rent in downtown LA last weekend. It is a great place with lots of room and beautiful common areas. Here are a few pictures!
The pool area has an amazing view of the downtown skyline. Little known fact, Jake is obsessed with skylines, so its a pretty big deal!
I have also had a career opportunity come my way that is both exciting and unexpected. I cant divulge details yet because I still have a few things to work out. Very happy to have my life in order, although it will be a very different life!
I'm excited for the long weekend coming up, too. Jake and I are heading to San Diego Sunday and Monday for a much needed getaway alone. I cant wait to relax by the pool and be with my best friend! We are staying in the gaslamp area which has bars, restaurants and shopping all within walking distance. If only this week would go by faster!
First up.....more interviews this week, visiting my grandpa in the hospital, and mattress shopping (gotta get those Memorial Day sales!hahah)
Happy here!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Lately
Lately, I've felt that everything is happening at once.
Lets recap because I haven't blogged for awhile. Jake was accepted to 3 grad schools. Emory, Fordham and USC. We were so sure he was going to Emory because we both loved the program when we visited the school in Atlanta and were certain that USC would feel like much of the same. So we started making plans to move across the country. We told all of our friends and family. I told everyone at work because DUH!, I would need to find a job. It was all falling into place.
Fast forward a few weeks and Jake visited USC's Admit Weekend by himself and then I met up with him in LA for dinner. He walked out of the building and said, "I think I'm going here." I was like whoa! really? Dont get me wrong it has its advantages like being close to home and will allow me a much easier job search. But we had made all of these plans to move so far away and now we have to un-tell everyone.
So I go back to work the following Monday and my boss wants to know right away. So where are you going? What are you doing? Can you tell me the verdict? He wants to know just like I did, I guess. Jake had to figure out a few logistics so I didnt want to un-tell people that I didnt have to. I told him it wasnt official, but that it was looking like staying in LA would be the decision. More waiting, waiting, waiting, drama, then...........
FINALLY, Jake decides its USC!
We were so happy this whole process was over. And now my work begins. Enter job and housing search hell. I knew I was going to have to do it sooner or later, but it just sucks having to go through it. I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of opportunities I have found. I dont want to get into specifics on here, but I have a few interviews lined up in LA in the coming weeks. We are going to spend all day Saturday in LA looking for places to live. We have 4 appointments and 4 open house type things, so hopefully we find something!
And in the middle of all of this happening, my grandpa fell and broke his hip and has been hospitalized. I have had another time consuming family issue that has been very emotionally draining. Jake and his parents have been arguing. Our garage door and kitchen sink were having issues. I have to train new people at work and finish up all of my outstanding projects before I leave June 30th. Un-telling people about Atlanta has also been time consuming because I have to explain the process all over again. I feel like I tell it at least twice a day! So like I said, everything seems to be happening at once.
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, however. Thank goodness! My grandpa is doing better, I will hopefully soon have a new job and a new place to live. In the moment it seems like a lot, but I know looking back on this time in my life, I will have come out a better person for it.
I do believe that staying positive and giving to others in any way I can has truly blessed my life. For instance, the strangest thing happened to me. On Monday, I came into work and was feeling tired from weekend festivities and somewhat uneasy about my new job prospects. I hadn't really had any solid leads or interview invitations. I opened up my email and 2 people had gotten back to me about my resume submissions. Sweet! And then I got a call, from a recruiter at a company I had applied to. And then my boss sent me a new lead. By the end of the day, I had 7 new opportunities in front of me! I couldnt believe it. I had come in with nothing and left with 7! Never mind that 7 is a lucky number, but I just felt very validated and that my efforts hadn't gone unnoticed.
Even though I've been stressed, I've made time for my family and my friends' important moments in their life. You can never underestimate the effect you have on others when you are truly just there for them. I try to do just that for the important people in my life in my own way. Whether it be visiting my grandfather in the hospital or attending a friend's graduation party, I know my actions and thoughts affect others. And now, I have felt the benefits of that positive energy!
I am going to try my hardest to keep things more updated on here with pictures and all. Stay tuned!
Lets recap because I haven't blogged for awhile. Jake was accepted to 3 grad schools. Emory, Fordham and USC. We were so sure he was going to Emory because we both loved the program when we visited the school in Atlanta and were certain that USC would feel like much of the same. So we started making plans to move across the country. We told all of our friends and family. I told everyone at work because DUH!, I would need to find a job. It was all falling into place.
Fast forward a few weeks and Jake visited USC's Admit Weekend by himself and then I met up with him in LA for dinner. He walked out of the building and said, "I think I'm going here." I was like whoa! really? Dont get me wrong it has its advantages like being close to home and will allow me a much easier job search. But we had made all of these plans to move so far away and now we have to un-tell everyone.
So I go back to work the following Monday and my boss wants to know right away. So where are you going? What are you doing? Can you tell me the verdict? He wants to know just like I did, I guess. Jake had to figure out a few logistics so I didnt want to un-tell people that I didnt have to. I told him it wasnt official, but that it was looking like staying in LA would be the decision. More waiting, waiting, waiting, drama, then...........
FINALLY, Jake decides its USC!
We were so happy this whole process was over. And now my work begins. Enter job and housing search hell. I knew I was going to have to do it sooner or later, but it just sucks having to go through it. I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of opportunities I have found. I dont want to get into specifics on here, but I have a few interviews lined up in LA in the coming weeks. We are going to spend all day Saturday in LA looking for places to live. We have 4 appointments and 4 open house type things, so hopefully we find something!
And in the middle of all of this happening, my grandpa fell and broke his hip and has been hospitalized. I have had another time consuming family issue that has been very emotionally draining. Jake and his parents have been arguing. Our garage door and kitchen sink were having issues. I have to train new people at work and finish up all of my outstanding projects before I leave June 30th. Un-telling people about Atlanta has also been time consuming because I have to explain the process all over again. I feel like I tell it at least twice a day! So like I said, everything seems to be happening at once.
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, however. Thank goodness! My grandpa is doing better, I will hopefully soon have a new job and a new place to live. In the moment it seems like a lot, but I know looking back on this time in my life, I will have come out a better person for it.
I do believe that staying positive and giving to others in any way I can has truly blessed my life. For instance, the strangest thing happened to me. On Monday, I came into work and was feeling tired from weekend festivities and somewhat uneasy about my new job prospects. I hadn't really had any solid leads or interview invitations. I opened up my email and 2 people had gotten back to me about my resume submissions. Sweet! And then I got a call, from a recruiter at a company I had applied to. And then my boss sent me a new lead. By the end of the day, I had 7 new opportunities in front of me! I couldnt believe it. I had come in with nothing and left with 7! Never mind that 7 is a lucky number, but I just felt very validated and that my efforts hadn't gone unnoticed.
Even though I've been stressed, I've made time for my family and my friends' important moments in their life. You can never underestimate the effect you have on others when you are truly just there for them. I try to do just that for the important people in my life in my own way. Whether it be visiting my grandfather in the hospital or attending a friend's graduation party, I know my actions and thoughts affect others. And now, I have felt the benefits of that positive energy!
I am going to try my hardest to keep things more updated on here with pictures and all. Stay tuned!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Have to get this out
How do you stay positive in times of sadness/frustration?
I've been struggling with this concept lately. Some events in my life right now are just downright sad. I tend to keep things like this bottled up inside because I dont want to complain, but at the end of the day I'm not sure if keeping my feelings inside is best for my well being.
I like to have fun and will be the first to say screw it and push things to the next day. Now all of this pushing aside has caught up to me. Nagging at me actually, so today I'm an explosion of emotions. Maybe because today is about mothers. I have an amazing mother and grandmas too, but for some reason this year has been extremely hard on me. I guess I wish my family had some better holidays ahead.
I want to be a positive person everyday. Sometimes its just downright hard. Are we allowed days of sadness? Are we supposed to just let it all out and then move past it? What if we cant move past it? Im struggling.
I've been struggling with this concept lately. Some events in my life right now are just downright sad. I tend to keep things like this bottled up inside because I dont want to complain, but at the end of the day I'm not sure if keeping my feelings inside is best for my well being.
I like to have fun and will be the first to say screw it and push things to the next day. Now all of this pushing aside has caught up to me. Nagging at me actually, so today I'm an explosion of emotions. Maybe because today is about mothers. I have an amazing mother and grandmas too, but for some reason this year has been extremely hard on me. I guess I wish my family had some better holidays ahead.
I want to be a positive person everyday. Sometimes its just downright hard. Are we allowed days of sadness? Are we supposed to just let it all out and then move past it? What if we cant move past it? Im struggling.
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