Bangers

I was at the grocery store today looking for tri-tip (yes, I loved it that much) and was wandering through the meat department and lo and behold I stumbled across bangers. Now, I was actually looking for chorizo, but I happened across bangers. Um, if I had to eat that more than once I would be a very unhappy camper. White sausages??? It reminded me way too much of brautwurst and I detest brautwurst. I am hoping that it tastes better than it looks. And if I come across picky by nitpicking on bangers while looking for chorizo, I absolutely cannot get the "real" chorizo down. There is a spiced up pork without all of the extras that chorizo loves to have. Anyway, that's my take on bangers. Please tell me they taste better than they look. And as for the mash - I shudder at the thought...lol

Culinary Lab Rat

I have become the experimentee. My hubby is taking culinary classes as a part of his hospitality degree and he likes to experiment with food. I am his victim. Yeah! Real hard work. He created a marinade for the tri-tip that was fabulous. He then topped the tri tip sandwich with a coleslaw with a chipotle dressing. Gave it such an awesome flavor. Not spicy at all. Last night he made a pork dish. Cubed it up and put it in a kind of pineapple sauce. Hard to explain... Reminded me of a sweet and sour pork dish without the cubes of bell pepper and onion. I liked it much better. Had it with another batch of the coleslaw with chipotle dressing. I'm going to get fat - I mean fatter... but what a way to go.

Internet Connection

I really hate wifi. Last night (or should I say early morning) I decided to take my proficiency exam for a job I applied for. The test consisted of about 5 different segments. One was a typing exam, another was inputting info that was being relayed through a simulated call, another was multi-tasking, and so on. I kept losing my connection. I was in the middle of my 4th call (out of 8) with 3 1/2 minutes left (out of 10) and the connection went "poof." Didn't come back up until I had about 20 seconds left and I was unable to pick up where I left off. Now the thing that aggravates me about this whole thing is the fact that I am paying a monthly service for this thing. I am definitely not getting my money's worth. So that job is now down the drain... It's hard enough to find a job, much less have my connection sabotage my efforts.

Grades

Whoot! Whoot! Grades finally posted... 3.765. 5 A's and 1 B. Not too bad. I can live with that. Next semester starts Tuesday. Guess I should get the books ordered. My poor brain is so overloaded with information. Well, I guess all the empty spaces are finally getting filled.

Misc for a Thursday

Hubby is off to a catering job. He has back to back catering jobs. Fortunately, he loves it. I only wish he'd cook more here. He is studying to be a chef and I am still making all of the meals... go figure.
Applying for jobs. Yeah, that's always fun.
Grades - would it kill teachers to post grades in a timely manner?? I have one grade I am waiting on and still nothing. Hubby has 3 left to post. Although in his case the later they post the better. I told him to stop procrastinating, but he didn't listen. He would get annoyed because I always had my head in a book while he played cards on the computer. Caught up with him. We'll see how well he did. He likes the "hands on," not the book work. Unfortunately, grades are mostly on book work.
Two weeks before the next semester. I guess I'd better start on my term paper. 23 days will go pretty fast.
A side note - interesting tidbit I found out. I was looking at county job postings and found out that with 60 semester credits I can qualify to be a probation officer for teens in a group home. Very interesting... actually quite odd, I would have thought they would want more of a requirement than that. I'm at 43 units and am expecting 6 more from January. Assuming I survive January. But I like the busyness, it keeps me off the streets and out of trouble...:) Nah! I can always make time for trouble!!

Yippee!!

So, I'm in a great mood today, a little emotional, but over the top happy. Things didn't overly aggravate me today, and believe me people tried... Let me tell you this is not the most wonderful time of the year. I just need to do a quick stop at Wal-Mart. Apparently the ability to do a quick trip is out of the question at this time of the year. I had to wait over a half hour in line, avoid maniac cart pushers, and keep my calm amid the chaos you people call a store. I got a whopping 7 items and people are not jolly. Anyway, I am still in a great mood...

Time Flies

My baby is now 5; my niece is 4. Where did the time go??? No one stays young. I know I feel ancient...

Vampires Suck

So, we saw a new movie over the weekend. Vampires Suck! Yeah!!!

Fall Semester - Over!!

Hard to believe but the fall semester is finally over. Four grades have posted so far... 3 A's and 2 B's. I know I am getting another A, and I am pretty sure the last one will also be an A. I love school... I get two weeks off and then it gets really intense. Winter session!!! The semester is only 23 days long. I have a psych class - 19 chapters, 2 Mid-terms, 1 term paper (10 pages) and a final--all in the 23 days. I also have a philosophy class. I didn't want to take it because it is pretty time consuming, but I have been going over and over my requirements and this is the only one that is on-line. I'd rather take it in 23 days than over an entire semester. We'll see.... Then on to spring...

It's 1:30

in the morning and I'm still wide awake. I only know of one person who I can relate to at this time, but for some reason that ship has sailed... I totally love my best friend, and wish we c0uld reconnect.. but moving on!! This insomnia thing is something only a few people can relate to. If you are not wide awake in the middle of the morning/late night you have no idea what life is like. I have played Cafe World, Zoo World, Mah jongg tiles, and surfed the internet until nothing appealing came up. I have done school work, mid terms, finals, etc. and still I am awake. I use embedded lights, book lights, etc. to keep my being awake a secret. I have played Nintendo DS, Ipod touch in the darkness to keep my secret. I am a closet insomniac!!! Either I need help or I need to channel my energies!!! I need help!!!

Marathon Posting

Or so it feels... I haven't posted in a while, but I was swamped with school. Amazing how I can go to college credits as of January this year and then end up with 43 units by December. I have six more scheduled for January (what the hell am I thinking???). Spring has another 18 units. Turns our I love college and I love learning... and it doesn't help that not only is it free, I am making money at it as well. I now have enough credits to be job hunting, which is much more challenging. Hopefully, things will work out and I can find a job soon. Education is great, but actually earning money is better!!

Forgot....

This has been a bad year for the kids and their pets... we are now down to zero cats. Since I was 5, that has never happened.... Our bird was found dead at the bottom of his cage by my son (and he was devastated). That same weekend, my son's fish tank was decimated. He lost his frog, his fish, etc. He is down two (I think) two live animals in his tank... one fish and a snail. My daughter has a cat fish and a snail in her tank. It was a really bad weekend.... I am trying to treat it as a positive, as only a mother can do, in saying that it will be easier to move with only a few fish (whatever) to transport... Reality is we are down to just the dog. Lady is a great dog, but so much is riding on her I feel bad for her. She is the only surviving (furry) creature we have left. Lady, I love you, and by the way you need to life for the next 20+ years so my children don't have issues.... No worries, I'm sure she can do it!

Catching Up

Where has the time gone since my last post...??? I have been swamped with school. Six classes plus one of my husband's. I can't post on FB because people know me there. I have six full classes and I am in full control of one of my husband's classes... Anyway, Saturday is my last final for the semester and I'm done for a whopping two weeks. Yeah... dumb me signed up for 2 winter classes. Two full semester classes smushed into 4 weeks. Dumb!!! One psychology class and philosophy. We'll see what happens. Spring starts January 31st and it's all downhill. Well, for now. What's frustrating is that I am 3 classes short for my Accounting degree. They require on campus attendance and I can't get there. So, if I switch majors I will be 2 classes short of a Psychology degree. I need to take statistics, but I need to back into it through math and I since this is an AA degree, I need communications. So, for a total of 5 classes, I am short on two AA/AS degrees. Story of my life - day late and a dollar short.

On the other hand, my daughter is now 5. According to her she loves being 5. I think she is more like 15, but that is another story. She is so into Jonas brothers, Justin Bieber, etc. What happened to The Wiggles, and Imagination Movers??? She seems to have skipped a few years.

My son is in high school. Out of 6 classes he has 3 As, 2 Bs and 1 C. I feel bad because the one C is my fault. It is for science and he is behind on 2 labs. I don't have a balloon or a magnet so he can complete 2 labs. Note to self.... find those two items. Tomorrow is his last day before winter break so hopefully we can complete those two labs and he can get his grade up.

Still job hunting. Note to self: Don't work for psycho people!!!

Can't believe how far I've come education wise in such a short amount of time. I need to figure out how to take these few classes so I can wrap this up at the community college level and move on!! 3 for accounting/2 for psychology...

Vacation in January... and have I told you all how tired I am of my husband getting ripped off from so-called friends..... Lost $5000, but that's another story. We are stuck between keeping the cruise and needing the money to drive down plus tips, etc. on the ship or canceling and losing $1500. Tips alone will be about $350. Note to self... apply for a cruise ship!!

Last... I feel so bad for friends of ours. Their son flaked and moved out while they were gone. At 18, he felt he knew it all and bailed. No phone call, no nothing.... Amy, I feel so bad for you!!!

With two free weeks, maybe I can get caught up.... To those I've injured throughout life.... I am so sorry! I am learning how to be more compassionate and understanding!!! Your life is not mine and is yours to live on your own! My role is spectator only....

Busy, Busy, Busy

When did life get so hectic. Third semester of college and I'm seriously overloaded. I have 17 units so I'm working every day. Second semester of accounting is intense. You would think English would be easy since it's my one and only language. NOT! I have work due 5 days out of 7. Reading and writing all the time. Add in American Government, Information Competency, Quickbooks and Abnormal Psychology... Fortunately, I love psychology. Studying the abnormal kind this semester should allow me to understand all kinds of people. No one I know is normal..lol Oh yeah, and my son started high school. Let's work with him as well. Busy, busy, busy... so back to work.

Upcoming Semester

So, the next semester starts in 10 days or so. I have a full load and then some. I have Intro to Hospitality Management, which is my only in person class. Hopefully, I can pull this one off. I have Accounting 1B, which is the second semester to my last one. I have Quickbooks, which I am really hoping will help me on a practical level, as I have that on my computer to run my husband's business. QB and Acctg are my only classes for my major. I was able to push out others during the summer session. For my general ed, I have English Composition and American Government as well as Library Science. So, currently, I have 16 units. I am waitlisted for 2 psychology classes. Each are 3 units. I could potentially carry 22 units as well as help my son, who is entering high school, and then work with my daughter, who just missed kindergarten. Life, as I know it, just turned upside down!!! I must be totally insane! On the up side - with 16 units (after this semester) I could have my AA by next May!!!! Long overdue, but I totally made up for lost time! Next stop - my Bachelors!

Coming Up

So, I have one week left before the next semester... I posted on my Facebook that my summer semester (which was majorly intense) yielded 5... that's right 5... A's. I have two complete semesters completed. Fall semester starts on the 30th... unbelievable. I have had to rearrange some classes, dropping one and am waitlisted on 2 others. I would love to complete (or at least take some more) the Hospitality Management courses. My ultimate goal would be to run Disney Resort in LA. Unfortunately, I can't get all the classes in right now that are required. Fortunately, I have discovered another passion - Psychology. I developed an interest in it from listening to a friend of mine and trying to comprehend her problems. Turns out I totally love this field. It helps me on so many levels... I understand people so much better, not to say myself. So, while I am majoring in Accounting, all of my electives are in Psychology. As a side note, I totally need to apologize to my friend. While trying to help, and trying to protect them, I overstepped many boundaries. I have learned that from my classes. I have learned that you have to stay objective and neutral. One of many things I have learned. While I kept many (and yes, there were many) confidences, I was unable to stay neutral, costing me my friend. I can see how hard it must be for a therapist to listen to things and not want to totally butt in. Fortunately, I am one who learns from her mistakes. I have been helping a friend of mine deal with a semi-abusive husband and am now trying to help my niece. Not to give advice, but to help them help themselves. My advice is "I can't tell you what to do... no one can, you have to figure it out yourself." Fortunately, I am good with that! I cannot control people (as much as I wish I could). I make my own fair share of mistakes so I have to learn to let others make their own mistakes. That is the only way we can learn! It seems as if I am always learning.... But I am trying to never make the same mistake twice. So -to Mei - I am sorry for interfering... it was only with the best of intentions... and I haven't made the same mistake since.... Love ya and miss you! Wishing you all the best. If it wasn't for you I never would have discovered the love of psychology.

My Niece

So, I'm on Facebook, and my niece puts up "Ready to die...Resurrect and then Live!" How am I supposed to react??? Like any good aunt, I respond back via Facebook... then call. She doesn't answer and so I panic. Fortunately, she calls back in a reasonable amount of time. We have a productive conversation and leave it at that. Now I get to break the news to her uncle. You see, I am not her biological aunt, but a "political aunt" (it's a Mexican thing). Because of decisions she made when she was younger, i.e. turning her back on the grandparents who raised her over her biological mother (their daughter), it is held against her. Now, I can understand that there is some issue; however, you cannot hold decisions of teenagers against them for their entire lives. I have seen that she has been in pain for many years. It's manifested itself in the tattoos she gets. There is so much pain in her eyes it breaks my heart. She tattoos while others cut themselves. I don't know why people don't see it. They see it as rebellion, and I see it as a way of relieving her pain. It is so clear and I don't know how to bridge the two opposing sides.

Psychology

Turns out psychology has been my favorite subject for the last two semesters. I don't have a psych course for the fall, and I am rather bummed by it. This is a course that totally makes sense to me. I can see my life in hindsight and see where I've been screwed up and where I've screwed up myself. I love psychology and can see myself majoring in it.... oh yeah! except nobody would pay to hear my take on things... oh well! I see myself and my life so clearly as to how I got here and I can see my best friend as well. The triangle of love was so clear!!! I am so ready to move on, but I need a place to move to... so I'll keep on applying and hope a job opens up somewhere. At least I have 26 units of college down, that's always a plus. I need my life to turn around and after what I've been learning it's time for me to take the initiative. I had been scared of the "what if", but that ship has sailed. If I get something for me that will benefit my kids I'm all over it. One job opening is all it takes... and I'm gone.... to whereever the wind takes us. Interesting how my classes are rounding me out... Business Law, Psychology (x2), Accounting, Business Computers, Control Costs, Business, etc. I desperately need a job so I can support me and my two kids. I hope I can find something.... anything would be good at this point.

Rocky / Rodney

Issues... issues... so, as of about 7:00 tonight we have a temporary new member of the family... a baby squirrel. The neighbor's cat injured a baby squirrel - to the point that he was incapacitated. The neighbors thought he was dead and left it out to die. Once my kids saw that it started moving, every so slightly, it became a "rescue". Now, I have never lost a rescued animal, and I will not start now. Ok, so my rescues were kittens, but how far apart is the stretch---kitten - squirrel... not so far right??? So, the baby squirrel is now resting comfortably in the house and my son wants to call it Rodney, but my daughter wants to call it Rocky. We'll see what happens. I'll worry about names once it springs back to live. I just checked it and it looks much better than it did before. It is definitely a baby... it had a cut over the eye and I cleaned that up. The shock is wearing off and he/she is becoming much more alert. We are hoping for the best and we will see what happens in the morning. Cross your fingers.... Let's hope he is better tomorrow; except then I have to deal with "do we keep him or not". Goodness!!

Dean's List

Both my husband and I received a notice stating that we both made the Dean's List for the college we are at. Apparently it is a good thing; too bad nobody cares... Not one person is happy with the fact that we have gone back to school. Response has been to "oh, why" to "what a waste of time, you could be doing something more productive" so telling people we made the Dean's List would not be met with congratulations. Oh well, I'm pretty proud of us at least!

Dog

Why do we have a dog??? Worthless creature.... Now she's cute as can be, but what a brainless beast. She's blonde - lol. Why do I say this??? I am sitting on the bed and out comes a mouse... it was probably a rat, but I would feel much better calling it a mouse. We bring the dog up from outside and she wanders into the room. She plops right in front of where the mouse disappeared to and just starts chewing on her bone. Didn't act like anything was there - no hunting instincts whatsoever. Now, I feed you, I house you, etc. Can you at least try to earn your keep??? I don't ask for much, but I'm thinking rousting out a "woodland creature" as the Imagination Movers would call it, it not over the top.

Jay Leno

Are you kidding me? I love Jay and watch him every night. Tonight.... sadly disappointed... he couldn't show up on another talk show???

Grades

So grades are trickling in. I'm going to get an A in Business Law. I loved this class. It was so interesting and I could see myself in the law field... and yet.... My favorite class was psychology. It's not over until Friday, so it still is my favorite class. I am learning so much about myself. I'm understanding how I got this way in my life. Now if I could only figure out how to fix myself... lol. But grades... I'm going to get a B in nutrition. Ironic considering the fact that in real life my nutrition sucks. Hopefully, I can apply what I've learned and improve my family's nutrition and health. A "B" is huge considering this class was hard. I thought it would be learning how to eat this and not eat that. Turns out it was a science class and I learned way more than I wanted to about my body and it's internal functions and the biology if foods. Last class is Accounting. The one I thought I'd ace. We'll see what happens... took the final today.... we'll see.

Interesting

In a complicated, long-story I have been communicating with my step-mother in the last couple of days. Got her caught up on my life, school, etc. I just got an email from her telling me both husband and I should apply at her company. My step-mother is VP of Research Administration at Stanford University. She is encouraging me to apply, but also for husband to apply as well. Turns out dorms need cooks and the college pays well. Wait... it gets better... My husband's teacher was the head chef at Stanford. He loved the job and only left to become the Department Chair at the college my husband is going to. Plans could be changing again...

What Did I Do?

I just left campus today. I rarely go there as all of my classes are on-line. I needed a counselor to sign my add slip. This semester I will have 13 units (assuming I pass my classes). Finals are next week so we'll see what happens. So far I have passing grades, but we'll see what the finals hold. The semester ends on May 29th. Summer semester starts June 7th. I have 5 classes plus 1 lab for a total of 16 units. Doesn't sound so bad until you realize that this begins and ends within 6 weeks. No stress...
Oh, yeah... it gets better...
Fall - I am taking 7 classes for a total of 21 units!!! I doubled my courseload. You all probably think I'm an idiot... I probably am, but there is a logical reason. My financial aid is tied to my pursuing my degree in Accounting. (I actually should have my AS degree by this time next year, assuming I pass all my classes.) I need 31-32 credits for my major. I should have all but 10 by the end of the year. (The rest need me to be on campus). Problem is I want to switch majors. I need the 12 units for my major/general ed, so the excess classes are for what I am switching over to.
Husband's degree has to largest amount of major credits required at about 48, oh yeah, plus the 24 general ed. I totally abused him and set him up with a massive course load. He has 15 units this semester. He has 12 units for the summer (3 gen ed/1 major), and 18.5 for the fall. Come fall, all he will need for his major will be 5 classes, plus work experience. He should be done by next year. The rest of his general ed can be done on-line. I'll make it work... I am the master at arranging and rearranging schedules to maximize potential.
So, anyway.. the rest of the year will totally suck, because I will be studying, studying and then studying some more.... but I will become ever so much wiser!

Extended Stay

I stayed at the Extended Stay hotel in Anaheim and totally loved it. I was fortunate to be able to stay there as all the hotels were booked for the convention. It was about 15 minutes away, but the staff was great. For the price, it was a great experience. If I was going to Disneyland for the weekend, I'd rather stay across the street, but for business, this was great. I was pleasantly surprised by the experience and would definitely stay there again. I just wish they had a pool and an exercise facility on site... that would have made it perfect.

Waves

I seem to have blogging inspirations in waves.... Not so much in batches of ideas, but in times it makes sense to post ideas. I have been swamped in life. Yes, I left my job... the woman was totally insane. I loved her product, but she was crazy. She had never had an employee before and it totally showed. I loved the product.... but she was crazy... I can't emphasize that enough... There were too many instances to recount. I wish it could have been different, but she was nuts. I should have figured when she hired me, but wanted to pay me as a contractor to save on payroll taxes. I'll leave it at that.... there were hundreds of issues. I loved the trade show experience, but hated the nickel and diming of the trip. It's hard to explain. We rented a kitchen for $100+ (we were trying to beat $150), and when it came time to pay "I only have $50". This happened over and over on numerous occasions. So, when it came time to get reimbused for the trip, there wasn't any money. And I was wayyy under budget. So, even though I am no longer working, I am in school full time... yeah, I'm swamped!!! I also am helping hubby with his classes as well as being his typist. Yesterday I had my day planned out and it went out the window. He had homework due that he didn't remember, or know about, so I had to help him and didn't even start my work until 3:00.... yeah... no stress. So, while I am blogging in my head, I don't always have access to a computer to put it in writing... Soon, this will all be over!

You Have Got to Be Kidding Me...

ok, so my husband and I have gone back to school. Yes, Mei, we were totally stupid to not have done this before. You told me and you told me, and I didn't listen. Well, we are wrapping up our first semester and we both totally LOVE it. The fact that we are making money at it, is even better. (Especially since I am no longer working, but that's another post). So, the husband is taking Hospitality Management, and I am taking Accounting. Accounting was not my first choice, but 1) it made the most sense because I've been doing it for 20+ years, and 2) I can take all my classes on-line. I am knee-deep in accounting and he is starting his Hospitality classes. My degree requires much less credits than his does. I am at a point in my life where Accounting no longer does it for me. I've worked in the field a long time and am ready for something different so I want to change to the Hospitality Management field. It would seem like a duplication with the husband except that we have different outcome expectations - Let's put it this way: Husband wants to run Club 33 at Disneyland and I want to run the Disneyland Hotel. He wants to focus on the food and I want to focus on the Hotel. (Yes, for those who know me... ironic). Anyway.... the degree program at the college requires certain classes for the AS in Hospitality Mangement, including Basic Food Prep. I want to run the hotel, not the restaurant, but you need the food classes anyway. So, hubby is 1, yes 1, semester ahead of me. (Although I have 3 credits from Nutrition that can transfer over to the major.) Registering for the upcoming semesters, the fall is offering the basic requirement of "Basic Food Prep". Required course....
My husband had become the total teacher's pet for the whole Hospitality Management department. He had volunteered for extra credit and so has interacted with all of the instructors. So, I registered him for his Summer/Fall classes and then I registered for my classes. I signed up for the Basic Food Prep (because I need that to be eligible for the other classes as a prerequisite). Yeah, I'm jazzed!!! My classes are set for Summer and Fall (as well as Hubby's). I'm balancing the Accounting, but transitioning over to Hospitality Management at the same time. (I love school so much I could take multiple majors and not blink and eye.). Anyway.... I signed up for the main class which is the Basic Food. I will even sign up my daughter for Kindergarten in a special program so I can attend, and hubby comes home and is so proud. Of what... yes, here it comes... he was asked to be a TA for a teacher....of course... here it comes.... for Basic Food.... which I am taking. Now, if his teachers love him I don't want to be known by him, so trying to pull this off in the fall is going to be a nightmare. I don't know him and he won't know me..... You have got to be kidding me!!!! Of all the classes he could TA for...

Type A Personality

I've always known I was a type A personality. It manifested itself while I was in high school. (Extra credit was to do a book report on 1 of 20 biographies and I did all 20). It has reared its ugly head throughout my working career. I have taken time off of work to raise and home school my children so I thought it had been tamed. WRONG!!!! As I am back in school, I have realized it is alive and well and thriving inside of me. I obsess over every 1/4 point and worry over every fraction of a grade. After years away from school, I am getting As and Bs and yet I obsess over every point given (or not given). If I survive this first semester back in school I will be amazed.... I lay awake and stress over every assignment...
And yet I have to give credit to a certain someone who pushed me to go back. Well, to you... I have to say Thank You and yes, I was stupid for not doing it earlier..... Without you Ab and I would never have pursued a higher education.... which we totally love. I am going go get 12 credits and he is going to get like 17 or 18.... and it's all due to your encouragement. Although I miss our daily phone calls and interactions, I still feel you in our lives as I study late into the night and on weekends (it's all positive) and know we never would have done this without you.. so THANK YOU!!! I was stupid for not doing this earlier!!

Irony

As we all know it's been a looooong time since I went to school. I convinced my husband to go back with me last semester. Semester is almost finished and we had to select classes for the upcoming Summer and Fall classes. I had to select Accounting as my major (from the fall semester) because well, I've been doing accounting for 15+ years... duh... it just makes sense... and the major classes can be taken on-line. So, my hubby took the major he wants and actually attended class for the Fall semester. Turns out we are maniacs when it comes to grades. I will redo stuff to raise my points 1/4 point. Yeah... I want the higher grade. Ok... so where am I going with this?
I am finally trying to switch my major. We are both trying to get degrees in Hospitality Management - his is in the Culinary Arts and mine is in the Hotel Management. My degree is via an accounting degree. In two semesters I will be over 50% finished with my degree requirements. Yeah, I totally overloaded. So, I am at a point where I want to change direction. Today was summer/fall semester enrollment. My husband has no idea what I sign him up for until it's a done deal. So I'm working on balancing ged credits with major credits (and for me that's difficult because I'm trying to switch majors). I spend way too much time cross referencing info between him and me.
I'm losing my focus... so I'm at a transition and am switching over (ever so minutely) for the fall. (I am falling on the sword so my husband can get the credits while I stay home with the kids). This fall is starting to change the tide to my time. I am actually taking 7 credits to what IIII want. Transitioning from accounting to hospitality.... Here is where the irony comes in..... Yes... here it comes....
Entry level classes is well duh... Intro to Hospitality and Basic Food Prep (Yes, it doesn't make sense to me either...). I'm digressing, but--- my husband wants to work at Club 33 at Disneyland as a chef, where as I want to run the Disneyland Resort itself. To get to the degree I have to take basic food preparation classes. (Don't ask because I don't understand it either!). So, I have to do what I want to do to get what I need to get.
Anyway, I am finally getting to take the Basic Food Prep, which my husband took one semester previous.... yes, here it comes.....
My husband has taken a total of 1 semester of Hospitality Management classes and has done so well that he has been asked to be a TA. Yes, take a wild guess as to what class he is asking to TA for...the 1 class that I am taking.
I am taking a total of 2 HM classes (I'm still balancing Accounting and my GE courses) for the fall, and the one teacher I am taking it with is the one teacher my husband was asked to TA for. AWKWARD!!!! Irony is this teacher is the only teacher my husband never attended class with.
When I signed up for classes I was specific in not taking classes with the same teachers my husband took his classes with - irony is the one teacher has the TA opening.
So - this should be an interesting semester!!!

Busy

I have never been so busy... I work non-stop from the moment I get to work. I take orders, invoice, resolve customer service issues, and now I am doing sales. I am in charge of selling to small gourmet and nutrition/health stores and am working on just being the rep for the Hispanic market. It may seem odd, except for the fact that my husband is Mexican. It's really going to be him. I sell VitaCl... cookers. I can't list the name because my boss has a google search for her product. It really is a cool product though. It is a rice cooker / slow cooker that uses a clay pot insert. It is healthy and natural, and yes, I can see how to market it to Hispanics. Asians are really liking it. It is doing well in the Chinese market. I am new to marketing and sales, but am doing ok on my learning company. I even sold 4 cookers from the trade show today (a week later)... Yeah!! So I am swamped at work. And then I come to the house and I have school. I am going back to pursue Accounting, however, it is interesting to note that I really enjoy my business law class even more. Law has really nothing to do with morality, which I found challenging in the beginning. My enjoyment of this class really surprises me. I like this class better than the Accounting, which I have 20 years experience in. Nutrition is killing me and this week is mid-terms. Yes, I study all the time. After work - Weekends - Even early in the morning. In addition to laundry, cleaning, studying with my son... Next week is spring break and I hope to enjoy it. I'd better rest while I can because my fourth class kicks in the following Monday - and it's a semester course packed into a half semester. Double the work - double the .. well I don't know. The course is Psychology (a GED option) and I hope it's not as hard as it appears. So, back to studying... chapter test for Accounting tomorrow and mid-term on Friday. I feel like the white rabbit---I'm late -I'm late...

Business Trip

I went on my first ever business trip. I went to a trade show in Anaheim. The show started on Friday morning and lasted through Sunday. My boss was there until Friday afternoon then she left to go to another trade show in Chicago. Once my boss left I had a lot of fun. We "rented" space from another exhibitor and they were so much fun. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the traffic. There were so many cars it took an hour to drive a couple blocks. I would definitely do a trade show again (as long as my boss doesn't come). She is just a nervous person and tries to manage everyone - including those who don't work for her. I made a few contacts who want to work with me (not her), so we'll see how it goes.... Sales all go into one place anyway, so no worries.

Business Trip

So I am now scheduled to go on my first business trip. While I have always wanted a job that required travel I find myself frustrated. I am supposed to go go a trade show this Thursay. That may sound great, but it is in Anaheim. That may not seem like anything, except for a Disney person like myself. I have to be at the Convention Center from 10-6 every day, across from the Happiest Place on the Earth.... talk about torture. My husband has decided to tag along and take the kids. While I am thrilled for them all, this does not make ME happy. My entire family will be having fun, riding rides, eating, drinking, etc. while I am working the entire time. My time is compensated, and yet they are benefiting from it.... not quite fair, but, if my kids are having fun, I'm good. I hope my youngest enjoys her trip since this would be the first trip to Disneyland that she can actually ride "big kid" rides. I just wish I could be there to see it.

Marketing

My work background is accounting and admin. I work for a very small company (as in the owner and myself), that sells a product. I handle customer service issues, sales, accounts payable, accounts receivable, search for sales leads, basically anything. I am getting a crash course in marketing, and find the whole process rather boggling. Buyer personas, demographics, etc. It's a slow cooker people... how do I know what a vegetarian is looking for in their crock pot??? Anyway, hopefully this will sell and I can actually make some money. That's the problem with getting paid low on an hourly basis, with bonuses being dependent on sales. I need to figure out how to increase sales - hmmm, back to sales & marketing. Great....

Busy...Busy...Busy

Wow!! I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted a blog. I actually started one last month, but no time to finish. Problem is a lack of time. My life has become extremely booked of late. I started working full time 6 weeks ago. There goes 40+ hours in the week. As of February 1st I became a full time student. There goes the rest of the week... My schedule consists of getting up at 7, leaving the house at 7:40, arriving at the workplace by 8. I get off at 5, get to the house at 5:20, and break out the books. Evenings and nights are studying as are weekends. Wow, the times goes by quickly when you are booked solid. Hopefully I'll find a schedule that I can live with, but a semester goes by fairly quickly, so it may not be an issue. Husband is also a full time student and my son finds this whole thing rather amusing. Three students in the house... Fortunately, husband is taking Hospitality Management/Culinary Arts so I don't have to worry about cooking dinner. One item off my place!