life

| Chetara

Took a major break from the blog. Have lots to do on here: a bajillion bookmarked cool things to talk about, a comic to review, job/school decisions to discuss…

Let’s start with what I’ve been up to since I was last on here. I started a part-time job, which takes about 30 hours per week. (Actually this week I’m working 47. Oy.) I’m a Customer Service Representative at CVS, which is a fancy way of saying I’m a cashier. But the manager thinks that if I stay there for a couple of years, I  could be a manager. In the meantime, however, I make $6.80/hour after taxes. Hmmph.

Also, I am apparently really bad at counting change.

I work with some nice people, I like most of the supervisors. They’re all pretty young.

Some notes:

I started making bread again. I don’t have a manual for my machine, but I looked one up online. The problem with me baking bread is that I eat bread. Especially when no one else in my apartment eats it. I’ll go through a loaf in 2 days. Not good.

I also made a swamp in the plant in my room. It took me a while to figure out where the smell was coming from. The plant is next to my door, so as soon as I walked in the smell smacked me over the head. It was sour, like vinegar. A really unpleasant smell to have in my bedroom. Eventually I realized the plant was sitting in a 7-inch puddle of water, for who knows how long. I dumped it out, rinsed out the pot and the smell has mostly gone away.

My phone is being weird. It doesn’t always let me make calls- it’ll say ‘Network Busy.’ With certain numbers, it’ll say that 5 out of 6 times. Other numbers it rarely does it. Might be time for a replacement soon.

I dyed my hair about a week ago. I don’t like it. It’s dark brown. I prefer it with red, I think.

Aaaaand that’s all for tonight, methinks.

-C

Read it and weep. Or smile.

| Chetara

So I’m not going to apologize any more when I take a hiatus, since it might turn out to be a regular thing. I’d planned on updating every other day (on average) but so far it looks like I’ll be every day for a few days, a week off, every day for a few days, a week off… ah well.

Bullet points:

  • I started a new job (don’t get excited) but I’m looking for something else. Something in retail, or at a restaurant. The problem is I need something full time. I could take on multiple part time-jobs, but it’s not ideal. I did it the last few years (last year I juggled 5 classes and 2 jobs.) and it’s actually not as hard as it sounds, but if I could find something full-time that would  be preferable.
  • I got a new couch! It’s ugly, but comfy. I was going to buy a slip-cover but then I realized they’re kind of expensive.
    • That makes 4 major items of furniture that I’ve gotten for free. Not shabby.
  • I added a new project to this site. You should check it out. It’s not actually new, I did it last year, but I was going through old projects and remembered how much I liked that one.
    • I am working on redoing the icons on the main port page, so they’re more cohesive. So far I haven’t finished a design I’m really happy with, but when I do I will update them all at once.

I got a new printer in August (for my birthday) from my grandmother, and not-so-tech-savvy-me can’t set it up. It’s wireless, which I’ve never used before, but I followed all the instructions when I was setting it up and everything looks right- but it won’t print. It has something to do with connecting to the network. I talked to a Kodak rep for 3 hours while he talked me through different solutions, and still nothing.

Shifting topics, I think I need to map out the next 5 years of my life. There are things I know I want- a creative job in advertising or design, grad school, possibly moving West, the peace corps- but I don’t know the order. I only really want to know what the next step is going to be. If you have any suggestions, leave them in a comment :)

Shift again- we don’t have a kitten yet, but maybe very soon. I found a few on Craigslist that I’m waiting to hear back on. We need one to eat our mice. I haven’t seen them, but they leave signs. All over the place. And they ate Lisa’s chocolate.

Til next time,

-C

On losing things

| Chetara

Each time I move somewhere new, I always manage to lose something important. Usually it’s my keys. Sophomore year it was my ID that I needed to get into my dorm. Sometimes it’s my glasses (not a problem anymore as I have multiple pairs). This year it’s my keys again. I have another set; the pair I lost were my neighbors which he holds on to in the event one of us is locked out.

I’ve looked high and low, and can’t find them. I’m certain they’re in the apartment, but I’m out of places to check.

-C

And again…

| Chetara

Oh dear. I took another break.

To catch you up, and to apologize, here are the reasons why I’ve not been writing:

  • Septic tank failed; we had to dig it out and diagnose the problem. No plumbing for 4 days.
  • Packing and repacking and unpacking to re-pack and take stuff out.
  • Moving.
  • Lots and lots of sweat. I hate this weather, and this weather hates me.

-C

And we’re back!

| Chetara

Sorry about the brief hiatus. Want to know what you missed? I turned 22, I packed some bags to get ready to move, I unpacked them and took stuff out so I could pack more in the same bags and leave some here so I wouldn’t end up taking stuff I wouldn’t need, and got good presents. That was kind of covered by ‘turning 22,’ but I figured I should be a little more specific.

So now I’m going to try to get back on track, blogging every-or-at-least-every-other-day. That’s the plan.

Til next time,

C

De-cluttering

| Chetara

I LOVE getting rid of stuff. I also love buying stuff, which means I always have a lot to get rid of. Win-win.

Clutter makes me feel stressed. Getting rid of things calms me down, and de-clutters my brain. Things are just that- things. Objects. I think there should be a limit as to how many objects we attach our emotions to. And I have fun deciding what objects I want to keep around, and what I pass on. My sister goes through everything before I make a trip to the thrift store, and she often takes shoes and clothes I’m getting rid of.

TV shows like Clean House and articles like this beg the question: How much stuff does it take before we’re happy?

I really enjoyed reading about one man’s decision to eliminate the meaningless things from his life. I very much doubt I could get down to 100 belongings, particularly as I inherited a lot of my mother’s possessions after she died. But I take inspiration from him. Everyone accumulates clutter; it’s inevitable. Everyone should therefore take time, even as infrequently as every few years, to de-clutter.

My mother did not share my theory. She loved things. In one of our homes, we had a library, an exercise room, a sewing room, a music room, and a room that was just storage. When we moved into a smaller house, we had a serious space issue. We did however have a separate building that was just storage. That’s not healthy. We had too much stuff for the amount of space we had. And I would much rather get rid of stuff so someone else can actually use it, rather than allow it to collect dust.

Space is another motivator for me now; I currently live with my grandparents and a lot of my things are stored in their barn because there isn’t enough room in the house. So I go through my boxes and bags that are stored away pretty regularly, figuring out what I want to keep, what I will use.

Of course, I could have saved a lot (and I mean a LOT) of money over the years if I spent less frivolously and accumulated less clutter to begin with. Such is life. I do make smarter purchases now. I try to buy things that are higher quality, that will last longer. Sometimes this means spender more on a single item, but if I am going to like it more, and use it longer, I think it’s worth it.

We want YOU

| Chetara

Has anyone out there used a recruiter to successfully get a job? I’ve spoken with a few about potential jobs, and some of them have been really helpful, giving me interview tips and advice on weak parts of my website (Notably Katty Douraghy from Artisan Creative). But so far nothing has panned out.

What do you think about recruiters?

KITTYKITTYKITTY

| Chetara

I’ve been looking forward to adopting a kitten for ages. I’m planning on looking at Another Chance Animal Rescue in North Berwick when it’s closer to me moving back to Boston.

(I had one of these kittens last December:

but couldn’t take her home due to a roommate dispute.)

Anyway, I have a name picked already, and to use that name I need to adopt an all-black kitty. And it has to be a girl. So I can name her Wednesday (after Wednesday Addams) and call her Wendy for short.

AAAHHH I love it…

And if I can’t find that cat, oh well. I’ll save the name for a future pet. But I love love love the name. And I love love love all-black kitty cats.

Pictures will be posted ASAP upon adoption.

Bucket list- incomplete

| Chetara

1. See enough countries and taste enough local dishes that I can consider myself a world traveler.

A big chunk of my list is related to traveling. I have a framed fortune cookie in my room that reads, ‘You are a traveler at heart. There will be many journeys.’ I love learning about different cultures, and I want to take as many opportunities as possible to experience them firsthand. I haven’t seen much, yet- I’ve only used my passport once- but when I die, it will be filled with stamps.

2. Travel by bicycle.

Either across a country or across a state, I want to push myself physically and mentally.

3. Get my drivers license.

Most people get theirs in their teen years. I had planned on getting some driving hours in this summer, but so far that hasn’t happened.

4. Quit my job.

This one needs a little explanation. Inspired by this guy. ‘Quit my job’ is really just one possible manifestation of what I want to do. I want to stick up for myself to someone with more power, by realizing that I should be treated better.

5. Have my portrait painted.

Not nude. Probably. Even if I had the guts to get that done, I don’t think I would want to hang it in my house. But I would like someone to draw me.

6. Adopt a child.

7. Ride in a helicopter.

8. Travel India by train.

From a travel website (cited at the bottom of the page): “With its extensive rail network, this mode of transport is the best way to see one of the world’s most colorful and diverse countries.”

Considering the country purely by its aesthetics, I am very attracted to India. I love its rich colors in textiles, in paint.

9. See ‘The Lion King’ on Broadway.

I seem to miss it every time. I have the soundtrack on my computer, and greeting cards with art inspired by the costumes, but I’ve never seen it. One of these days.

10. Go skinny-dipping.

11. Make a living doing what I love.

That’s the dream for everyone, isn’t it? But I have found a career path that I think I could truly enjoy. Now I just need the job.

12. Learn how to fly a two-passenger plane.

My brother took lessons when he was in his teens. A few years ago I was asked if I wanted to do it as well, and I said no. I changed my mind.

13. Start a pen pal relationship with someone on death row.

14. I don’t know what the word for it is, but I want to be in one of those cages that they lower into the ocean while sharks swim around you.

Dive with a whale shark. Swimming with these gentle giants is among the most powerful wilderness experiences in the world.

15. Attend Brazil’s Carnival parade.

16. Learn to surf.

3 friends and I tried to learn in Hawaii (without a teacher). Some of us were more successful than others. I never got to the stand up part.

17. Publish an article, poem or short story.

I started writing creatively again last Spring, when I took a creative writing course at BU. Now I am writing fairly regularly, not as often as I should, but on my own. Some of my writing is online under the ‘Writing’ section on this site (just poems, I haven’t figured out how to put short stories on here so that they are readable and not bogged down text blocks). But anyway, I want to open a magazine (or book!) and see my name, and see my writing.

18. Volunteer abroad.

I’m thinking of applying to the Peace Corps. I don’t want a linear life plan. I don’t really want a plan. Although I do have aspirations that require a lot of money, I am in no rush to climb any corporate ladder. I want to be a perpetual student (and that could means going to school again or just making an effort to LEARN all the time, from people around me, from books, etc.) and have life experiences I am excited and proud to relate to family and friends.

That was a not-so-clear explanation on that one. Sorry.

19. Hitchhike.

This is something I am terrified to do. And it isn’t something I would do alone.

20. Cross a glacier on foot.

I read this idea online, and didn’t want to include it in my list until I realized: these are fast-disappearing. Future generations may only be able to see glaciers in picture books. I want to see them in person.

21. Meet someone famous.

I’ve never even SEEN someone famous, except on stage. I want to see a celebrity/politician in the real world.

22. Join a choral group.

I love singing, and music. I was in my high school’s treble choir, and I have a treble clef on my ankle. I miss being part of a singing group. It’s very therapeutic.

23. Learn how to sail.

This is something I could do while I’m in Boston; they give lessons right at the harbor.

24. Keep a garden. For 30 days, survive on what I have grown.

I am interested in sustainability, and in lowering my personal carbon footprint. I’m increasingly disappointed in America’s consumerist culture. (I’m also a hypocrite. I love shopping. But I probably visit thrift stores and yard sales more than any mall store, so that makes me feel a little better about myself. I also wont throw away anything that someone else might be able to use- I take everything to thrift stores.) But anyway, I am curious about ‘green’ living. There are too many people on the planet, and I want to make a positive difference, no matter how small an impact it has on the big picture.

Sidenote: I know, I know. I got a degree in advertising, where (according to one mindset) I will be convincing people to spend their money on things they don’t really need, and got by fine without. I promise to (try to) use my powers for good.

25. Participate in Burning Man.

I’ve done a lot of reading on this bizarre festival, and can’t say I understand it.

26. Learn to crochet and knit.

My mother made amazing things with needles and string, and I never picked it up. (I can’t sew either, but I have no urge to learn.) My grandmother makes mittens for donation to clothing drives and gifts. I want to be able to wear a sweater I made (or at least a scarf.)

27. Attend a music festival, in this or another country.

Ideally this will be completed while I still enjoy the music and the atmosphere.

28. Partake in a Japanese Tea Ceremony. This timeless tradition is at the heart of Japanese culture.

29. Visit the birthplace or gravesite of a cultural icon. Could be Che Guevara or Picasso or Levi Strauss or the guy who invented widgets; anyone you think is important.

30. Ride a burro at the Grand Canyon.

31. Go bungee-jumping.

I went skydiving already, so I can’t include that on my list. It was an incredible thrill, though, and I plan to go again. I had meant to take my brother and sister this summer, but money got in the way. Bungee jumping is the next step.

32. Visit every capital city in Europe. The crowded continent is full of beautiful architecture and diverse cultures.

33. Watch an orchestral performance in Vienna.

34. Invest in a piece of art.

I was at an art auction in March and was duped into buying two prints, when I was led to believe they were original paintings. I was very disappointed. I was able to return them and get most of my money back, though.

35. Learn to like wine.

I feel like I SHOULD like wine. I want to.

36. Get my master’s degree.

37. Ride an elephant.

38. Adopt a cat.

All of the family pets we’ve had were adopted. Puppy mills are hideous places, and I will never buy a pet from a pet store. This fall I will be adopting my own cat (maybe kitten).

39. Get my motorcycle license.

I read about half of ‘The Zen and Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ this summer and it bored me to tears, but it did affirm my desire for a motorcycle. The descriptions of traveling by bike were comparative to a type of meditation.

40. Participate in the world’s biggest water fight during Thailand’s New Year’s festivities.

I’ve never heard about this before, but MAN does it sound fun.

41. Buy my own apartment/house.

42. Inspire someone.

I know this is terribly vague. I want to be someone’s muse.

 

 

Credit: Some of these ideas were inspired by other peoples lists. Sites include: