100 in 2010: Progress One!

Hello hello!

Isn't it always the week after spring break that your teachers give out double the homework? That's how it was for me. But I have gotten some things accomplished on my list! Not huge things (a lot of the items on the list will have to wait for summer) but certainly things on the list!

Firstly: #61 - I recorded a new voicemail message! This one seems silly, but after someone told me I sounded like a 12 year old on my recording, I thought that maybe the time had come. I would like to record a goofy message, but since my boss occasionally calls, I don't want to get myself in trouble there! So it's newer, and hopefully I don't sound like I'm 12.

Secondly: #22 - I made a "Thank you" note! I recently collected money for a project that Intervarsity put on, and I needed some thank you notes. So I figured, I'll do my own! They came out pretty cute, but I may revamp them - so we'll call this one "in progress."

Thirdly: #6 - Read 26 books; 1 down, 25 to go! John D'agata, an acclaimed non-fiction writer, came and did a reading at my school, which I was required to attend. Luckily, he was a great writer and a pretty entertaining guy. I ended up purchasing his most recent book, About A Mountain. It was actually very interesting, and not at all what I usually read. But I definitely enjoyed it.

That's all I've done so far since I posted the list, completion-wise.

How was your first week back? Crazy? Windy?

I DIY: Cupcakery!

First of all, you should know (if you don't already) I LOVE baking. Love it.

So for Christmas this year, my parents got me all baking related gifts, one of which happened to be the most beautiful tome of Hello, Cupcake!

So I have been doing a variety of cupcake ideas from that book (they are all very easy to figure out) and I thought I would share a few.

Don't drool on your keyboard!

(I just saw they have another book out... Resist!)

Any baking in your life recently?

100 in 2010

Drumroll Please...

Woohoo! Here is my list of 100 things that I plan to do in the year 2010.
Because there are a ton of neat things to do in and around my favorite cities that I just haven't made time for, I figure having a list will give me just enough motivation!

So here it is. I'm relying on you to keep me on track, and I'll give updates pretty regularly on how things are going. Some are easy, others are hard, some are a one time deal, others a process.

1. Buy Board Shorts
2. Improve in Photography
3. Bake a layer cake
4. Make an entire dinner on my own
5. Learn how to change a tire

6. Read at least 26 books for fun
7. Spend less money, more responsibly
8. Read the whole Bible
9. Create and use my own grocery bags
10. Start a shop on Etsy

11. Improve my GPA
12. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
13. Learn how to manage money!!
14. Let my hair grow!
15. Road Trip?

16. Read The Iliad
17. Have better posture
18. Buy Water Shoes
19. Be more ladylike
20. Be more Christ-like

21. Volunteer 6+ Times
22. Create A Thank you Note
23. Be a better Blogger
24. Get Organized
25. Get Healthy

26. Learn how to sew a dress
27. Make my own Halloween costume
28. Learn how to use Photoshop Elements (well)
29. Make new friends
30. Decorate my bedroom

31. Frame some favorite photos
32. Donate money regularly
33. Offer myself more
34. Be more outgoing
35. Become a better listener

36. Give more compliments
37. Learn how to accept a compliment (gracefully)
38. Become fluent in French
39. Journal twice a month
40. Try a new hobby/sport/anything!

41. Give handmade gifts (whenever possible!)
42. Write more letters
43. Write thank you notes
44. Do more baking
45. Try 6 new recipes

46. Try Painting
47. Crochet an entire blanket
48. Learn one new word a week
49. Write a letter every day for a month
50. Do 100 pushups in a row

51. Take a ballroom dance class
52. Have a theme party, for no reason
53. Learn the guitar
54. Donate Blood
55. Make a poster

56. Grow a veggie
57. Visit the Ostrich Ranch
58. Visit the Wildlife Park
59. Buy flowers for someone (who deserves them!)
60. Give a gift just because

61. Record a new voicemail message
62. Help a stranger
63. Hold a baby chick. :)
64. Go to a free observatory night
65. Get published

66. Save 1000 dollars, on my own.
67. Use the library!
68. Watch 8 classic movies ive never seen.
69. Learn to knit
70. Donate my work to charity.

71. Turn in a paper early
72. Tube the Salt River
73. Hike in 3 new places
74. Consolidate the dorm room
75. Join a club

76. Try a new ethnic food
77. Consider a youtube account
78. Commit to praying with a group
79. Choose a career
80. Sponsor a child

81. Make macarons
82. Learn how to change the oil
83. Visit school friends in the summer
84. Become more focused
85. See the arts!

86. Give my parents a gift
87. Get a summer job
88. Go horseback riding
89. Backup my computer
90. Work on my book

91. Reconnect with friends
92. Surprise people!
93. Go to a car show
94. Go to the botanical garden
95. Wear a fashion forward outfit

96. Make a meal for someone else
97. Rehabilitate a piece of furniture
98. Go the THE FAIR!
99. Take a day trip
100. Spend $0 for 2 months

Sorry this is soooo long! I'll explain more of each item as I get to doing them.
Do you have a list, or at least some goals? I hear people who have goals make more money...!

Photo of the Week: Nutrition

Sometimes the best dinner is a good breakfast.

(Yes, those are chocolate pancakes with chocolate chunks.)

Have a delectable week!

Teaching: Life as a Student Worker

Hello! I believe this will be my first installment in the Teaching Series. I think that teaching as well as learning is important, so by teaching you something I know you are learning! (Now I just need to have you teach me something!)

Having been an employee of my University for nigh on two years now, in different capacities, I feel like I have a pretty good handle of some of the things that every University position requires. I think these tips will apply to people at other schools in other states as well, so don't click away just yet!

These tips are most applicable to campus jobs, but excluding food service - that's a whole different ball game! So perhaps a Ticket Office worker, a job in the Geology Department office, or a part of the Office Staff at the Campus Health Center.

All these jobs will certainly have their own specific tasks, for example, the Health Center employee won't sell tickets to the Orchestra, nor will the Geology Department fax a patient's records to a Doctor's office, and the Box Office help won't be photocopying the GEO 112 midterm either. But they all share some responsibilities, merely because they share a location, the college campus. So without further ado, I present:

Simple Tasks for the University Employee!

1. Be a Campus Resource. As a student and an employee, you should have a good working knowledge of the campus. Where is Admissions? How about the Student Union? Or maybe just the nearest bathroom! Being able to direct fellow students and even potential students and their families around the campus is a useful and courteous trick. This can take some time, since many students only venture into the buildings in which they have classes, but spend some time walking around with a map, and you'll do fine.

2. Be a City Resource. This applies to the city, too. For many students, they live in and go to college in their home town. But for others, such as myself, college isn't just a new experience, its a new place altogether. Though it may be hard at first to situate yourself with a new city, try and get acquainted with nearby neighborhoods and commercial areas. It's great to be able to recommend a good restaurant and give clear directions to it!

3. Be a positive representative. Now this is more of an attitude than an action or task, but I think this is also important. When you are an employee, you have a responsibility to highlight the best aspects of the campus (in my opinion). Use your position to give visitors or community members a positive memory of the campus. Because maybe they don't really like the way that the dorms are managed, but if you tell them how awesome your first year in the dorms were, maybe they will reconsider!

4. Accommodate! Sometimes it might seem easy to take it out on the hapless freshman who just asked where they can find the Bursar's Office. Instead of giving them the stink eye while throwing a map over your counter, remain courteous and polite and say "No problem! Let me get the map and I can show you right where that is." and when they are satisfied, tell them "Have a great day!" Especially in situations where the person is upset or angry, you can defuse the situation by staying calm and doing your best to resolve the issue. Give them the benefit of the doubt, because they could have had a bad day, too.

I think that sums it up, but these are definitely some ideas that I have used and abused in order to have happy customers! And in case you are wondering, I'm the office staff at the health center. It's a wonderful job!

Any other tips or tricks to being a great employee? This is like free job security!

Stuck in My Head: Guy Sebastian & Jordin Sparks

If we are anything alike, every now and then, you will hear a song.
It's pretty good, so you listen again. Now you really want to get the lyrics, so you listen again.
Pretty soon you are on repeat number 236 and you have every word and vibratto memorized.

I do that a lot. Part of it is how I learn (I find that I can memorize things (especially songs) very easily after hearing them a few times) and another is that some songs are just too good.

This song, performed by Guy Sebastian and Jordin Sparks is definitely one of those. Sure, I'm in love with the sound of the song itself, but the lyrics are golden.

Here is a link to the video, on youtube: "Art of Love". You should go listen to it.

I've found a new level of appreciation for communication recently, and this song is just encouraging open communication. Talking it out is so important in a relationship; with your friends, your boyfriend or girlfriend, and with God.

Have a song stuck in your head? Fill me in. I would love to hear it! :)