Change Is On It’s Way

I have had “post a blog” on my To Do List for the past month.  I managed to get one entry up a couple weeks ago, but that’s pretty pathetic to my mind.  Perhaps I just have my expectations set too high, so I don’t even make an attempt.  That’s probably what it is actually – I always feel like I’m not putting forth my best effort if my post is shorter than 5 paragraphs or so.

This whole summer has been about change though, so I think changing my attitude towards blogging is easy enough to do.  Now I just want to post more often, with no expectations about length or content.  I’m also thinking I might use my cell phone to take pictures throughout the day (when it makes sense to), and upload those.  Just for something different.  Plus I’m thinking I need to post a link on my Facebook and Nexopia pages every time I post.  Having readers motivates me more.

I must say this is one of my better summers overall in terms of spending money (or in this case, not spending money).  It’s not that I’m not buying stuff, because I still am, I’m just a bit more selective.  So I usually get stuff that I will actually use.  And I’ve become much more dedicated about making up a list before I go.  Not that a list stops me from browsing and getting more than I need, but it does tend to minimize it a bit.

I’m also switching my credit cards around.  Because I want cards that have rewards that actually benefit me.  This was prompted when my CIBC Visa informed me the Shoppers Optimum Points option was being replaced by the Dividend/Cash Back option.  I don’t exactly use my card enough to get enough money back for it to be any use.  So I’ve gotten a Visa through Citizens Bank.  With every purchase, money is donated to a charity, and I earn points which can later be turned into yet another donation (and a tax receipt for myself).  That just makes way more sense to myself.  Now I’m trying to switch my BMO Mastercard with Airmiles for a Canadian Tire Mastercard so I can potentially get a free oil change a year instead of nothing with my Airmiles.  2 years, and there’s very little I can get with my points.

I miss doing my make-up differently everyday, and doing my hair.  Lately it’s just been some mascara and powder, and my hair up in a ponytail.  Exact same everyday.  I was putting a bit more effort into my make-up on the weekends, but I’ve been slacking off there too.  This is something else I want to change.  I’m going to make the effort to do one or the other, if not both.  It makes me feel good about myself.  Yea, I can feel good without them, but when you’re having a bad day, every little bit helps.

 

I had the day off work today, so I was actually able to get a lot accomplished.  It feels pretty good overall.  I’ve noticed I’m getting a lot more organized the older I get.  My room no longer has a huge pile in the middle.  I’ll put stuff on the floor sometimes, but it’s because I’d rather put it there than not put it away properly.  I also notice that when I feel stressed about something, any mess drives me absolutely bonkers and all I want to do is clean.

I managed to clean my fishes’ bowls tonight.  Well, to be honest I just changed the water.  Whenever I clean it, the chemical I add to neutralize the water makes the water go all murky.  And the fish make lots of bubbles that kind of crust on the top.  It’s very weird.  So essentially, I need to clean the bowls, put the water with the chemical in it for a day, and then put fresh water in so the fish don’t die.  Although they are pretty hardy fish.  They have to be with me.

Tonight is the first night of my Sleep Schedule.   I had to come up with something to help me prepare for 8am classes in the fall.  While the 8am part may not sound so bad, 1) I’m a night owl, and 2) I’m going to have to get up at 5:30am so I have time to get ready and catch the train.  But I’m not going to complain too much since I have no more than 3 classes a day, and I’m off by or before 3pm 3 days a week.

Now I think everyone who has read all of this should make me super happy and leave a comment (you don’t need an account or anything.)  Please?!

Optimistic October

It’s kind of amazing how time always gets away from you.  It was summer last time I blogged, and now, snowboard season starts in a month!

 Obviously the biggest change so far has been starting university.  My take on it: when people said it was hard, they were making a huge understatement.  There is so much to do.  And there just doesn’t seem to be enough time to do it in.  Although a large part of that probably arises from my ability to procrastinate.  I stayed up till 3am one night reading 3 novels – just because I didn’t want to do my philosophy assignment.  Especially since I still had 3 days before it was due.  Retarded decision on my part.  But I’m getting used to making them.  lol.

 Some of the people are awesome though.  Namely Katherine.  haha – that’s right girl, you’re that amazingly awesome.  lol.  I was kind of hoping to find a really close friend when I went to university, but I definitely wasn’t expecting to meet one the very first day of orientation.  If only we could find some more spare time to spend together…

 It’s a learning process, that’s for sure.  I had all these plans, and they’ve pretty much all fallen to ruins within the first three weeks.  I’m not quite sure if my learning methods have changed, or that they just don’t work with the new teaching methods.  Either way, this past week I’ve been trying to make changes.  It’s weird because I fell further behind, and yet I feel way better about everything.  And in some classes seem to be turning around already.

Working at the Business Library has been…interesting.  Not going to lie, I’m taking advantage of the free printing.  Especially since it’s a colour printer.  Free vs minimum 8 cents per page.  lol.  And I’ve got no problem that I’m allowed to do homework when I’m not busy with patrons.  The hardest part has been trying to find stuff I don’t need my laptop for.  The job itself is not exactly challenging though.  I think I’d get bored extremely fast without the homework.  And it’s nowhere near as social as any of my previous jobs.  But oh well, it’s money.

 So I now have two siamese fighting fish – Jengo and Speck.  Jengo was Jessica’s, but I ended up taking him home with me after my visit.  And then, I got Speck through a Facebook ad.  Funny, but true.  They’re both quite entertaining.  Although I do feel guilty since my room can get quite cold at times.   But they’re surviving.  And I got them new bowls, and new plants.  It’s really easy to clean the bowls, so hopefully I’ll be able to do it regularly.  Unlike the aquarium…  Oops.

 Anyways, I’ve decided I should try and start the monthly themes again.  They really helped me focus before.  Hopefully they can do so again.  So Optimistic October.  Basically, the plan is to stay upbeat and positive about school.  That is, after all, the biggest obstacle standing between me and complete zenness.  :-p

 I’m trying to write down some goals – LuluLemon style.  I’ve only got the 1-year stuff filled in so far, but I’ll get the longer term ones in soon.  I hope.   http://www.lululemon.com/culture/goalsetting