the plan

If you don't know where you're going, how are you going to get there?

As I've mentioned before, I've been thinking a lot about my future lately. I've also been lacking a bit in the inspiration department. It's a strange combination, really, because I've been stuck in their weird thoughtful/depressed/out-of-focus/introspective mode for the past few days. And during this mode, I've sorted out a sort of guide for what I would like to happen in the future.

* Begin my internship in just over a week and kick ass at it. Create lots of wonderful pieces to add to my portfolio.

* Start looking for my big kid job near the end of March. Show Milwaukee agencies why I would be awesome.

*Happily graduate on May 16, 2010. Hooray! Hello, life beyond lecture halls and textbooks.

* Work at my first real job for at least one year and continue to improve my skills and build upon my portfolio.

* While working and finally making more than minimum wage, save money and refine my budgeting skills. Learn to say "no" to even great deals! Financial health will be a priority.

* After at least one whole year at my first job, take the next step in my career. Perhaps it will be time to move to a big city - Chicago, LA?

* Buy a house! Ah, to be a homeowner. I am definitely looking forward to finding the perfect first place.

* Continue to grow in my career and make my way up the ladder. Someday a creative director, perhaps? Be driven by passion, not money.

So what am I doing right here, right now? Putting a freeze on my spending, doing well in my classes, and preparing to knock their socks off at my internship. I'm also looking to begin a bit of a personal reform: being healthier. This means the health of my finances, eating right, maybe exercising, and maintaining a positive attitude, no matter how hard it can seem sometimes.

snippets of my life at this moment:

* GOT AN INTERNSHIP! Will be copywriting (unpaid, sad) for a big company in the Milwaukee area. Going to learn a lot and have tons of goodies for my portfolio when I am done!

* Splurged on a whole bunch of work clothes as a reward.

* Should not have splurged since my hours at my paid job will be decreasing soon. Eh, whatever!

* Going out for drinks with my boyfriend's sister tomorrow to celebrate my internship and a new job for her! Go us!

* Boyfriend mentioned wanting a gym membership and that he would like to start eating more vegetables. Nearly fell over with shock. Or happiness, can't decide.

* Worried I might be getting mildly addicted to RedBull again. Early mornings suck.

* And it gets worse: the other morning I had a RedBull and McDonalds egg McMuffin for breakfast. That definitely does not qualify as a balanced breakfast...

* A friend from Iowa will be visiting the area next weekend and I miraculously have off of work. So. Freakin'. Excited!

* My living space is a disaster. Time to crawl out from under my heated blanket and get crap done. Erg.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

thinking ahead

I've been spending an awful lot of time in my own head these past few days. It's a dangerous thing, really. Thinking too much about too much leads to overload and breakdown. No breakdown yet though, but overload for sure.

I haven't spent this much time thinking silently since I left my college in Iowa. Yeeks.

See, the thing is, I see how my life is right now, and I feel okay about it. It's not perfect, but I'd never expect it to be. But thinking about now leads to thinking about the future and I get caught up in the "what if?" game. And that game is no fun.

I want to live happily ever after, even though I know that's unrealistic. Many peoples' lives never turn out the way they thought they would. But I want to be sure that I don't find myself twenty years from now grumpy and wishing I had done things differently.

Where's that crystal ball when I need it?

Sure, I don't want to know exactly how my life turns out, but I want to be sure that I won't regret the decisions I'm making now, later.

I want to be happy.

If that means I have to draw some lines and admit some hard-to-admit things, then that's what I think needs to happen. I can't be in denial about my life. I need to be honest with myself and say, "This is the way I want things to be to ensure that I am happy in the future."

Here's what I want:

1. House.

2. Successful career.

3. Happy, healthy husband.

4. Stability.

5. Love.

And you know what? I'm going to have those things, no matter what.

Happy Turkey Day!

Sorry for being so absent! I spent the last weekend in Iowa with my college friends and had a wonderful time. I haven't had much schoolwork to do, but my job this week will keep me busy! Tomorrow, however, I close at work which means Black Friday shopping! Definitely looking forward to that, although the ads this year aren't all that great. I'm thinking about re-doing our bedding with different colors but haven't yet decided.

Today, the Boyfriend and I are off to both our families' Thanksgivings. Lots of driving but lots of food! Oh, and to wrap up my "I'm thankful for..." postings, I've made a list:

I'm thankful for...

1. The Boyfriend, who is always there for me

2. My parents, who only want the best for my future

3. My vibrant sisters, who are passionate little buggers

4. My friends, who don't let time or distance get in the way

5. Good health and well-being

6. My cuddly, spunky kitties

7. My education, which is coming to an end!

8. A reliable vehicle, to get me where I need to go

9. Food in my fridge (and in my tummy, soon!)

10. Overall, I'm thankful for a very nice life and great people I surround myself with!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

(picture from here)

its about the simple things in life...

I have been one giant ball of stress this past week, and yesterday was exceptionally awful. My Campaigns class is proving to be a ton of work, and I've been doing an average of 10 hours of homework each week lately. I was dreaming about it last night and suddenly woke up at 3:45am freaking out about a little mistake I made. Cue the exhaustion.

Anyway, Joanna over at Smitten (one of my beloved Glamour blogs) wants everyone to stop and think about their 5 Simple Pleasures, and I think that now would be a good time for me take a moment to breathe and think about what makes me calm.

My 5 Simple Pleasures

1. Snuggling on the couch with a big blankie and watching a movie

2. Going for a walk

3. A nice, long, hot shower

4. Spooning!

5. Drinking a yummy chai tea latte

What are some of your simple pleasures?