Life Costs

Working in the field of housing and rentals, I have relearned something very important. And that is the value of a dollar, but not just the value of a dollar, but the value of a dollar depending on who you talk to. There are people who come in looking for the most affordable unit, and there are those who look for the most comfortable unit.

For those who look for the most affordable unit, they come in all shapes and sizes. There are large families and there are small families that cram themselves into a unit. A family came in, a mother, her daughter and her husband, and their child. That's a total of 4 people. They all plan to live at the unit, but they're looking for a one bedroom unit. After explaining to them that on the property, our smallest units are two bedrooms, they went on to say, well, a one bedroom home is already to them a luxury because they currently stay in a studio. Assuming they're from the Bay Area, a good sized studio isn't gigantic. And for 3 adults and a child to all live and dwell in the same area with no privacy is amazing.

For those who come and look for the most comfortable unit, it's a completely different story. A gentleman came in, he's single and retired, and ultimately chooses a large 3 bedroom town home, about 1080 square feet. Why might a single person need 1080 square feet one might wonder. It's for all the closet space for all his clothes and shoes. That to me is also amazing.

But as I said, the value of a dollar varies from person to person. To some, a dollar is another dollar towards next months rent. To others, a dollar is just another dollar that has no specific destination.

A friend mentioned the other day, "life is expensive," to which I responded, "we pay for comfort, the luxuries in life." Which I think again, that is very true. We have bills for say, cell phones, car insurance, health insurance, etc. These are all luxuries in life. There are alternatives to each and every one of these. We don't necessarily need a cell phone, or we don't necessarily need a cellphone with a data plan and unlimited texting and what not. We also don't need car insurance if we don't have a car. In this modern age, public transportation is pretty reliable. For an amount, less than what you would pay for a tank of gas now-a-day, you can get a bus pass that's good for the entire month. That same amount will probably get you a tank of gas, maybe a tank and a half if you have a smaller tank. And assuming you commute everyday to work, you're probably filling up every week at least. Once again, a luxury.

So is life actually expensive? Or are we as people too lazy to give up comfort of what makes life easier. Because I know for me, although I can live without a cell phone or a car, I like having them. It makes my life easier. It really though, puts into perspective, the value of a dollar.

Just Breathe

Just breathe. I think a lot of us fail to do that when we're caught up in the moment of our busy event filled lives. When we forget to breathe, we become stressed. And unfortunately, as we get stressed, we focus on what is making us stressed rather than what can make us not stressed. Because all too often, we dwell on the negatives rather than looking at the positives. We sit there and pick at imperfections without realizing that, it is the flaws that make each and every one of us unique and different. Without wondering, what is perfect and if there even is a perfect. There are different definitions and levels of perfect depending on who you talk to. What I might see as perfect can be way off from what you or someone else might perceive as perfect.

A lot of people sit and dwell on the negative. They like to do the same thing over and over again expecting different results. As the great Einstein would say, that is insanity. When we're caught up with our stresses, we forget to stop and take a look around us. We forget to enjoy the beauty and everything around us that brings the calmness. It's easy to become stressed in our daily lives what with it always changing and at a rapid rate. But when we let these stresses take over, we forget to stop and watch the sunset. The sunset is something that is constant. The sun will always set in the west, whether you see it or not, and when the sun goes down, the sky will be lit with stars. Once again, there whether you see them or not.

Lately I've noticed people that are a lot more negative. I believe it's because they're too caught up in their stresses and they forgot to breathe. Whether that is the real reason or not is another story. It makes me wonder, how can people stand to live in such negativity. I will admit, I have my moments of downs where I will completely shut the world out. After I have my moment, usually a night or two, I will be perfectly fine. Why? Because I realize time and time again, it is a complete waste to go through a day feeling down and not enjoying life to it's fullest. When I have my downs, I go take a shower, cry it all out and then I'm done. Instantly I feel better. If that doesn't work, I brainstorm, what exactly is it that's bothering me, and what can I do to eliminate the problem. If it's something that is absolutely out of my control, then there is no sense in wasting my time in being stressed over it.

For me personally, one of the things that stress me out is when those around me are stressed. It is in my nature to figure out what is wrong, and try and fix it. If those around me are stressed and sad, nothing stresses me out more than the fact that there is probably nothing I can do to help them not feel this way. Being completely helpless to those in their times of need breaks my heart. I was talking to my friend about how I feel like everyone around me lately has been so negative, and my reaction to negativity is to try and be positive and advocate a positive outlook. I was thinking out loud to a friend, wondering, if these people are feeling so stressed, down, negative, by me being positive, am I just shoving it down their throats? Which then brought upon the feeling of being helpless. To this I reacted with, forget about it. If they choose to sit and dwell and wallow in their negative thoughts, then so be it. I've done my part as a friend to try and help. There is only so much I can do since they're only giving me so much to work with. And to which I reacted with, is it bad that I have given up? I never ever want to have to give up on those around me because that is one of the worst feelings ever. But what do you do when there is nothing you can do?

Anyways, those those who are stressed, stop and smell the roses. Unless you have allergies that are going crazy right now like me, then stay far far away from those roses. Go smell some fruits instead. At the end of the day, the sun will set, and in a few hours it will rise again. Time is flashing before out eyes and before we know it, we'll all be old and wrinkly. So why bother being stressed which will make us even more wrinkly? I guess that's how those skin care companies make their money. But, to those struggling with stress and negativity, think of it this way, why spend a day sad when your days are numbered. And since tomorrow is not guaranteed, why not live it with a smile. =]

Another New Year

2012 is here. Am I the only one who dreads the new year coming because they now have to be careful of the date they write on things? It was 3 months ago that I was still accidentally writing 2010 on things.

The year for me has flown by. It went by so quickly that I hardly even remember what happened. However, I do remember it being a good year. And I have a feeling this year will be even better. Although it did start off with a few disappointments, it just means bigger and better things lie ahead.

Reminiscing on the past year, it has been pretty good to as I met new people, building better and stronger bonds with people that matter most and finally sorta figuring out what I want and where I want to go in life, but this will forever be an ever changing thing.

Can't wait to see what is in store for the new year. =]

Paper Chasin'

"Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like." - Will Smith

That quote is so true. There are definitely too many people out there that spend money that they haven't earned/money that is not theirs (i.e., parents, credit cards, etc.) People that spend and buy certain things only so that they can prove themselves to people that they don't like, and people that don't care. It's kind of like those people who buy "name brand"/"designer" makeup versus cheaper drugstore makeup. Once it's on your face, who will be able to tell what brand it is?

Anyways, paper chasin', gotta get back on that grind cause there are too many expensive things I want and I ain't about to spend money I don't got to get it. Materialistic? Yes, yes I am. But which girl isn't? At least I buy my own things with money I have earned. Like that box, mother and father did not pay for it. But I like to have goals, items that I work towards. It makes the whole process of money making more enjoyable because there is an incentive at the end.

But more on that quote. People are much happier when they stop caring about what other people think of them. It's like walking through the mall in some sneakers, sweats and a sweater. I'll get funny looks from those girls that are all dolled up and what not but hey, at least I'm comfortable, and I can rub my eyes when they get itchy. =D Hooray for lazy days and waterproof mascara. Boo on them girls that can't leave the house the way they woke up. I'm bored as you may be able to tell from my rambling on irrelevant things. But anyways, so I was looking through blogs and one day I will have that crosshatch and red soles in my collection of things I don't need. =]

Procedures

Ain't it funny how the mind works? We all know, according to science, if we follow the procedures as written, every time, you will come out with the same result. This is why we write down procedures in our lab manuals. So that if someone were to pick up your lab manual and try to do that experiment, they should have the same results. With that being said, why do so many of us fall victim to doing things in life, the same/similar things each time, but expect different results?

Which brings me back to the question, ain't it funny how the mind works? We choose to tell ourselves at that moment, no, it will work this time. But if we were to take a step back and look at the whole picture, we will have a timeline of how many times we've tried this list of procedure, with an equal number of times it did not work. "It" can refer to a number of things, relationships, hardships, and in this case, stupid macarons. -_-

The picture shows the failed results of not following a procedure correctly, and also following the wrong procedures. The eggs were suppose to be aged but due to impatience, they came out bubbly. Or at least I think that's why they came out bubbly.

Time Flies

Time sure flies when you're having fun huh? In about a month I will be turning 22. Just last year I turned 21. I was super excited to turn 21 cause being 21 meant you can go out to bars and casinos. None of which I really have any interest in but still. Or maybe I was excited because it is the norm to be excited since to some, turning 21 is the mark or step towards adulthood.

Adulthood, what a scary word. I remember when I was in high school poking fun at my friends who were turning 21 or 22. Why? Cause they were old and I was young. hehe. Maybe that's why I'm not really excited that my birthday is coming up in a month. Maybe I'm thinking, if I'm not excited and don't try to celebrate it, then I won't turn old.

For some reason, aging is something that stresses me out. Not because when you age you get wrinkles and what not. More of a, when you age, you can't turn back time, you can only go forward, but where is there to go? Maybe it's because I'm still not certain where I am going in life. Everyone is out there paper chasing, but I don't quite want to be there yet. I rather go back to when I was turning 16 or something and the most I had to worry about was....well, I don't even remember what I was worrying about at that time. Assuming there was even anything to worry about. But now, I can't help but to wonder, where will I be in 5 years. Or better yet, where will I be in 5 months. Hopefully in 5 months I will have my pharm tech certificate. So I can say I accomplished something. =]

Jewelmint : Versailles Earrings

I recently made my first ever Jewelmint purchase. And it came in a pretty light green box and a bow on top.


Do the pictures of boxes help build anticipation about what's inside?? I hope it does. hehe.


I ordered these GORGEOUS Versailles earrings. They're a lot bigger than I imagined them to be, but beautiful none the less. However, my pair of earrings did come defective. They had a huge chip and a scratch across one of the gems. I did get in contact with Jewelmint about the issue. Because it just so happens that when I had contacted them, half their staff was out due to a cold, I didn't receive a response from them till around a week later. When I finally did receive a response, they gave me a surprise as well. They apologized for the delayed response and said I wouldn't have to return the damaged pair. That's pretty awesome if you ask me because now I can take apart the broken pair and turn it into a DIY project. But on top of all of that, the cherry on top was, they gave me a free credit! How awesome is that?!!?

Overall, I learned through their facebook page that you can get a quicker response if you find them through their online chat on their site. And their staff is awesome and super friendly! =D

If you guys want to check out Jewelmint and don't have an account, here is a link:
http://jmnt.me/hEeczi

Pretty awesome site. I've already made a second purchase so can't wait for that to come and show you guys when it gets here. Hope you guys are enjoying the lovely weather, assuming you guys have lovely weather like I am having at the moment.