This is a real giveaway too, not like when you tweet “Where in the world can I get an iPad” and you get 30 responses along the lines of  click here to win an iPad..just kidding now your computer is loaded with spyware. Ha!  That’s not going to happen if you click here.

I’m not one to ever promote things like this on my blog. Honestly! Look back over the last 2 years of this little blog and you won’t find me promoting other people’s giveaways, but I love Erin’s blog and I would love it if you or I won.  And even if we don’t win, at least I’ve introduced you to this fabulous blog.

While the company I work for isn’t quite ready to take the internet by storm,  I am fortunate enough to be working on redesigning the company’s website (something else I’m learning as I go). Simultaneously, I am working on building a personal brand.

And so one of my many personal goals is to educate myself and, in turn, anyone who stops by my blog on what personal branding is and the steps you should be taking to brand yourself…if you’re motivated to do so, that is.

Stay tuned for updates, slowly but surely!

I usually spend a decent amount of time researching topics for my blog. I like to provide resources for my readers so that they don’t think I just make a bunch of things up and post them on the internet. However, today, you’ve inspired me to take a break and provide some amusement for my (few but faithful) readers while simultaneously giving myself some much needed therapy.

You piss me off.

I don’t know much about you. I sometimes wonder what possessed you to apply for graduate school, because it’s evident to me and those around me (and you) that you don’t really want to be here. You do realize that you don’t have to be here, right? After all, you’re an adult and no matter who pressures you into going to grad school, the decision is ultimately yours. If you don’t want to be here, please go home. Not only will it liberate me, but I’m sure you’ll feel liberated as well. Allow me to reiterate, you’re pissing me off. There is no place in a graduate program for children and that’s exactly what you’re acting like– a child!

You can’t use the excuse that no one told you what to do as an explanation for why you’re not doing anything. Interestingly enough, no one told me or anyone else in this class– or even in this graduate program!– what to do. You see, there is this thing called a syllabus. During your undergraduate career your professors may have read it aloud to you on the first day of class. But after undergrad, your professors assume that you know how to read. They also assume that you’re motivated to do so. (You know, because you made all of that effort to apply to graduate school in the first place.)  So, read the *expletive* syllabus already. If you still don’t get it after reading the syllabus, your professors have e-mail addresses, phone number and office hours that they welcome you to take advantage of. I can’t be bothered explaining anything to you. I’m very busy.

You’re never going to make it through your graduate career if you insist on being a warm body in a seat, rather than a contributor. I’m not sure if you remember this from your orientation (if you even remembered to go to your orientation), but it only takes 2 C’s to get you kicked out of the program. This is just your friendly reminder to put on your big girl panties and get it together.

Lastly, I want to address your attitude. It sucks. I’m not sure if you’ve ever heard the expression, “leave it at the door,” but you should strongly consider leaving your bad attitude and your personal problems at home. Grad school is a lot like having a professional job (which, judging by the way you carry yourself isn’t something you’ve ever had, but this is a great opportunity to learn how to behave if you ever want to get one). Your boss wants you to get the work done regardless of the fact that your kid is sick or you had to put your dog down. Your boss also wants you to smile, dress nicely, use complete sentences and at least appear to know what you’re doing. Your peers and your professors have very similar expectations and, quite frankly, you’ve really let us down. When you sit in a corner and pout it makes us all very uncomfortable and very embarrassed.

I don’t want to be insensitive, because I know that life can throw a lot of difficult things your way and emotional distress can affect your quality of work. But if you have 8 weeks of serious personal problems and fail to bring it up to your group mates or your professor prior to week 9…no one is going to believe that your problems are real.

May you get your act together or drop out of the program–for the sake of your peers!

- L

P.S. I hope you’re getting excited about the individual work we’re going to have to do in the second half of the semester! Your peers are definitely excited about it and often talk about it behind your back. Did you know that if you’re an awesome teammate no one talks about you when you’re not around? Maybe that will provide some motivation for you to get it together.

Regardless of whether I’m ambitious or just going through a quarter-life crisis, I’m frustrated. There is not enough time in the day to work, read, write, study, exercise, cook, clean. I have spent so much time trying to master the art of time management, but I fear that there are some things that time management simply cannot fix. Sometimes you just have to sit back and for just a few moments live like there is not a care in the world. I can’t even remember the days when there was not a care in the world. Luckily, my parents did get some photo documentation of these days.

Unfortunately, I spend no time at all climbing on couches anymore.  Most of my time, in fact, is spent doing this…

So this is my reality…

Working.…while I am certain the experience that I am gaining from my various odd jobs is invaluable and I do enjoy doing these jobs, I am certain I would have a lot more free time and a lot more money, if I could have just one job that paid well. (Oh Economy…I hate you.)
Studying…I can’t complain one bit here. I’m the one who filled out the application and enrolled in these classes and I want this degree (and possibly more degrees)!
Cooking…a necessary evil that I would enjoy so much more if it weren’t so time consuming
Cleaning…a necessary evil that I simply don’t enjoy
Exercising…the one hobby I won’t put on the back burner, because I will run a half marathon if it kills me. (Well, maybe not if it kills me.)
Debating…whether I want to take on more responsibility (e.g. become the Public Relations Chair of the UCF chapter of NSMH)

My fantasy…

Working…one job at the university where I can pop on over to class as necessary, while still making enough money to pay all of the bills and buy dresses, a MacBook Pro and PhotoShop. Or…maybe people could just start reading my blog and I could sell some advertising space or maybe trade some advertising space for a MacBook Pro and some dinner. I’m easier to please than I appear to be.
Free time…unlimited amount of it that I could spent reading books, doing art projects, being the Public Relations Chair for NSMH, taking up photography and photo editing, blogging and decorating my apartment and yoga lots and lots of yoga.
A clean apartment…where everything has a place and we live in organizational bliss. (Because I would be able to afford storage space with all of the money I’m making at my job at the university or blogging–ha!) I wouldn’t want to have to put a lot of effort into it either, so maybe I could afford a magic want or Merry Maids or something.
Studying…but more research and less chatting on discussion boards about unemployment number and sustainability in human resources management. I want to research the food revolution and make plans to change the world.

Am I being too ambitious here or am I just trying to find myself? I’d like to think that I have a pretty good grasp on what I want in life. After all, applying to graduate school is a pretty big investment (both in terms of effort and finances) for it to be some sort of experiment.

To address my spread-too-thin-lifestyle and simultaneous quarter-life crisis, I’ve decided to finally read In Praise of Slowness. It’s been on my to read list for quite some time and I think I need it now more than ever!

The stress of job searching got to me. The financial shakiness is still more than I can handle, but I’m learning as the days go by.

I waited and waited to bring good news to this blog. I was hoping I could make two exciting announcements, but for now I only have one. I started my graduate program last week. I was planning on making a big deal out of the fact that I was accepted. Maybe decorating the blog with a few balloons. But before I knew it, school started and I still didn’t have that second exciting announcement. (You know, the announcement where some fortune 500 company offered me an incredible job and agreed to be flexible with my school schedule.) and so here I am. My second day of class is tonight. I already have a test (and I submitted two article reviews this past Sunday) and I have failed in my “career” as a blogger.

I foresee this blog taking a turn for the more stressful things in life. Like chasing education and chasing careers. I can’t make any promises about regular posting, but I would love some advice from those of you who don’t abandon your blogs for 6 to 8 weeks at a time. Until next time where we discuss my mini-career as a wedding planner and (if I have time) the services industry.

I’ll admit that having all of these guest bloggers imparting their wisdom on my blog has made me a bit lazy when it comes to the blogosphere.

I would love to provide you with a photo-update of the apartment garden, I don’t have any photos [yet]. But as a teaser, I will have you know that the basil is in full bloom.  While this means that it’s healthy, it also means that I pluck those pesky little white flowers from it’s tiny little leaves on a daily basis. More on this later.

Also soon to grace this blog is my upcoming visit to Winter Park, Florida’s only gastropub, The Ravenous Pig.

Well enough of me telling you about what you will eventually see here. I need to get some photos taken and share the wealth! In the meantime, check out what’s on the menu tonight!

Have a lovely Friday.

I realize that it’s a bit late to be welcoming you into this world. However, I’ve been so busy preparing for you that your first few days just slipped right past me.

Yes,  preparing for you.

Oh 2010…I know that New Year’s Resolutions are a silly tradition. Real Simple Magazine says that most people break them before February 17th! I have never been one to make New  Year’s Resolutions…it requires organization and motivation to meet those goals. Quite frankly, I didn’t think I had it in me!

But I like you 2010. I think you’ll be different! Which is why I decided that you will be a year of organization.

I will organize my time so that I can fit exercise, crafting, reading and writing into my schedule.

I  will organize my finances so that I will never be in credit card debt again and so that I can go on vacation! (I’ve already created a budget for each one of your months, 2010!)

I look forward to spending the next 12 months with you and I trust that February 17th  will just be another day that I succeed at making myself better! (Well…February 17th is my Dad’s 50th birthday, so it won’t be “just another day,” but you know what I mean.)

I hope you’re on my side.

Best wishes,

- L

I don’t know if I will always remember you. Truth be told, you were relatively uneventful. (That is, except for the sweet handbags that accompanied you.)

I suppose that if I ever become a famous blogger, I will remember you for being the year I started blogging. You might also be remembered as the year I decided to go back to school [but then sort of wussed out temporarily].

Don’t feel bad, 2009, for if I ever do remember you, I’ll only have wonderful things to say.

In 2009…

Kenobi turned 1.

Eric and I turned 2, 23 and 27!

The Social Chameleon- early summer

My grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary which brought the Diaz side of the family together for an intimate and absolutely lovely celebration.

Eric and I discovered our favorite restaurant The Social Chameleon.

Animal Kingdom- November '09

Arts and Crafts '09

I improved my culinary skills by making more unique dishes than I’ve ever made in an entire year.

I reunited with one of the most amazing friends I have, her husband and her beautiful baby girl. (Who is growing up way too fast, if I may add!)

I crafted and crafted and crafted! I made scrapbooks and headbands and apartment gardens.

We saw Authority Zero, Streetlight Manifesto, MC Chris, Gogol Bordello, and 311. (Side note: I saw the Rockettes with Grandma!)

I took out my nose ring and vowed to stop getting piercings. (I am clearly getting too old for this!)

I learned my lesson about handbag prices that are too good to be true. (Thanks JoJolie!)

Thank you for all the great times, 2009. And I’m sure you’re very sorry for the less pleasant moments!

Hopefully 2010 brings a more exciting farewell letter!

Love,

L

I am a bit humored as I report to you that the only thing on my list that I actually followed through with was looking fabulous. I exercised (we got a Wii and the Wii Fit and the Biggest Loser game!) and bought new clothes that make me feel great!

On a less enthusiastic note…

I have been reading magazines, instead of my book. More on this later.

I did not finish my grad school application. I must admit, I chose a bad time to request letters of recommendations from professors. Take my advice: don’t start your grad school applications at the end of a semester. Professors enjoy their time off just as much as you do.

I found this article, with suggestions about how to approach professors about writing letters of recommendation and after the first of the year I plan to put these suggestions to good use!

I was eager to get back to school this semester…simply for the sake of being in school. However, I am going to take these next few months to finish my application and look for a job that is more closely related to event management. I thought it would be wise to get some career experience and a better understanding of exactly what I am getting myself into, before investing more time and money into my life as a career student.