Bitter Cold and Productivity

Good morning people!

In case you didn't know I live in that freezing cold tundra known as Minnesota where currently it's -15 F or  about -26 C. Basically it's really, really cold outside. School has been closed for the fourth time this winter because of the extreme cold being so unsafe for anyone, especially children. It only takes minutes for exposed skin to get frostbite and believe me, it's painful. 

And I live here. In all honesty I don't see the great need to complain though. Minnesota is beautiful and unique in so many ways. Yes, it's freezing outside and I definitely won't be caught wandering the streets until it warms up again, but people seem to forget one tiny detail- it's still a comfortable 60 degrees (Fahrenheit) or so inside. If the heat goes out, then and only then I might start to panic, but for now I'll take my warm beverages and extra sweaters. (I live in scarves during this time of the year!)

Love this scarf- so soft and so comfy! 

Scarf 1
Scarf 2
Scarf 3
Scarf 4

On the productive side, I'm currently sending in for my high school transcript- I repeat high school transcript (something I haven't used in 6 years) so I can start taking some classes at a community college to help boost my grad school applications

Fingers crossed it works :)
ash.blogger.mn@gmail.com


Cheers!

Ash

A Better Future

Alright, today I'm going to tell you the truth about my life:

I really don't like my job. 

Whew. I feel better getting that off my chest.

But seriously, it's not that I'm ungrateful because I'm very thankful I at least have the job I have. In fact I'm thankful for both jobs I have. Though my dance team coaching job is more for fun, my main job is a help desk position. This means I provide computer support for my company. I only work part time because they don't have the budget to hire me on full time. Not the point of this post.

I don't like my job and it's effecting the rest of my life. Let that sink in for a few seconds. The fact that I don't feel fulfilled doing what I do has changed how I look at the rest of my life. I've settled into a routine that isn't amazing, but is comfortable. I don't shoot for anything higher because I've come to accept that I'm not meant to shine. 

Isn't that a terrible way to look at life? 
Personally I'm not okay with thinking like that anymore. Why shouldn't I be able to do something more with my life? Of course the normal worries and doubts always hit me:
- not enough money
- not enough time
- not enough experience

Hey want to hear a joke? 
Going to college thinking you'll get a good job just because you have a degree.
Hahahahahahaha. Ha.

But enough of that "finding a job sucks" talk. Guys, I'm doing it, I'm going to make my future better. I am so bloody bored with being the me that I am currently. So I'm going back to school, or I'm going to try. 

Step 1. Contact my high school- you know that building you spent four years in, but haven't set foot in since you graduated- and get my high school transcripts over to the local community college so I can start taking classes there to boost my grad school application.

Step 2. Find a part time job or volunteer opportunity to work in an area similar to what I want to go to grad school for. This is going to take some research on my part.

Step 1.5 Find a full time job that pays the bills so I can afford to do all this- I send out applications weekly, haven't heard any positive responses yet. Never give up, never surrender or something like that...

That's about all I have planned so far, but honestly that's going to take up the next year of my life. I'm going to roll with it and we'll see what happens.

If anyone has any suggestions for getting into grad school throw them my way!

ash.blogger.mn@gmail.com

Cheers!

Ash

It's the small things...

So today is going to be a long day. Between two jobs I'm looking at not getting home until 9 pm. I was grumbling about it this morning until I realized that moaning about a long day isn't going to help the situation. Instead of complaining I'm better off trying to focus on the good things that today will bring.

Here's a list of some things that tend to brighten my day:

1. Coffee drinks- delicious and energizing!
2. Chocolate- the darker the better
3. A warm car- it gets really cold around here!
4. Naps- nothing better than crawling under the covers for an hour or two to recharge
5. Hot water in the shower- talk about a relaxer
6. Scarves- seriously guys, I think I have over 20 and I try to wear a different one daily
7. Books- I could read for hours upon hours and never tire
8. Finding new blogs to read- I love "meeting" all these real women on these blogs and getting a window into their lives, it's amazing and a bit humbling :)
9. Good morning texts- Every morning I get a good morning text from the love of my life and it never fails to make me smile
10. Waking up next to my puppy- He gives me the cutest little sleepy face every morning and we cuddle for at least fifteen minutes before I'll get out of bed. I could write an entire book about how wonderful my little pup is.

Like I said, simple things. Life doesn't have to be this great cosmic mystery. We are here to build ourselves a life and do with it what we will. The hope is that we'll do some good with the time given to us.

I'm off to a tour hosted by one of our youth departments, but everyone have a fantastic day!

Cheers!

Ash