Well, hello there!
Fell off the face of the earth for a bit, but I’m back, and ready to REST! Oh god.
As you may have read in my last entry, I had made the oh so wise choice of volunteering to work for an entire month straight with my company.  Since we’re heavily into our competition season, I decided to cash in and pay off my credit card debt by working these events ONCE AND FOR ALL.  It was a brutal month.  630am, 13-hour shifts on weekends will do crazy things to your mind, body and soul.  I learned a LOT about myself and about my work ethics/professionalism, and its funny— I came to realize how solid I am at my job and how knowledgeable I am about the company and our events, so much that I am starting to look into Event Directing sometime in the near future.  Its exciting! Its probably the coolest thing I’ve set myself up for in a long time, and so I’m hoping that my hard work keeps paying off the way it has in recent years.  I seriously can’t wait to see how this is going to unfold for me.
Anyway, so whether or not you’re interested in what exactly I’ve been working/doing, I immersed myself into two new things in the month(s) of January and February.
1. Announcing (professionally)- MUAHAHA.  Its funny how this actually came to be.  You see, my co-worker Celia always commented on how I’m able to use my voice to emulate people/races/customers/commercials, to the point where she suggested that I should become an announcer for our competitions.  I toyed with this idea in my head, and once I found out how much it pays during the season (A LOT), I pitched the idea to one of my directors, and it WORKED!  She put me to announce at all of our regional events down in So Cal for the month of February and I totally rocked it.  I seriously loved it.  Announcing the teams all day, getting the crowd workin’, free food, travel paid for, the days went by faster, I got to see all the performances, I didn’t have to wear the yucky khaki pants that go with a traditional support staff worker, and I made a ton of ca$h.  Getting up at 4am on the weekends to get ready for these events? So worth it. 
2. Safety Judging - Here’s another thing I never thought I’d do, but another one of my directors put me to the test, and I passed!  What is a Safety Judge?  A safety judge has to know all the rules to all of the divisions (in my case, I was a dance/song safety judge) and know what is allowed and what is not.  If I catch a team doing something that isn’t allowed, I have to issue a penalty—and THIS is something that can determine whether a team gets 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, and so on.  So its pretty much all about knowing your stuff, and watching awesome routines all day. And since I’ve started to develop a slight obsession with dance as of late, lets just say that entertainment in the form of a job is one of the things that I am most grateful for in my life. 

Other than that, my first weekend off (this past weekend) was spent cleaning my apartment, and making up time with Sunday and Albert.  Totally re-arranged some furniture, and we’re planning on buying just a few more things to add to our awesome apartment.  Things are really starting to come together.   I am also very near to clearing my debt—AHHHHHH!!! Didn’t think it would be possible so soon, but my sacrifices have really paid off and I couldn’t be prouder! The feeling of accomplishment is so rewarding; I wouldn’t trade that for the world. 

So that’s pretty much where I’m at right now.  Next up: get my re-conquer my social life!

And a Vegas trip is coming up in just a few weeks.  I’m pretty excited.

Adios!

February is turning out to be a pretty amazing month.  I haven’t been this busy in a long time, and I love it!  I have the perfect work/school schedule, and am still able to find a balance for “me” time.  Its great.

First off, I don’t know what I was thinking when I initiated this, but somehow I managed to sign myself up to work every weekend in February.  Hellooooo 60+ hour work weeks! Fun stuff (not.)! Its not the most glamorous thing, but boyyy is my checking account happy!  I guess you can say that in the company I work for, I’ve been ~promoted~ on some levels and am making nearly twice as much as I used to (on the weekends).  I’m breaking into the world of announcing (semi-professionally) and safety judging (different from panel judging), and its been a really neat learning experience to say the least.  Just when I thought I’d learned nearly everything about USA, I learn a little more, and its neat taking on new roles every now and then.  It keeps my brain entertained.  So yeah, anyway, my next day off isn’t until March 6th!  Not a single day off til then.  Heh. 

School started.  I’ve got a few mixed feelings about it, but overall, I’m super happy with my schedule.  I researched a little bit and decided to try online classes, which really opened up my week for once.  Looking at the big picture, I only have to physically be on campus once a week.  This means more time for me, more time for zee puppy, and time to conquer the world. One step at a time,  I guess.  Anyway, I lucked out and have some pretty kick-ass professors this semester, so that should keep me engaged.  Lets hope.

And Ash Wednesday starts today!  I’m giving up fast food and soda for lent.  I’ve done this before, but I want to see if I can try it again.  If I can get through it and make grocery shopping a more common habit, then its a step closer to a healthier lifestyle—in my eyes, at least.  I’ve got some real poor health habits I’m working on changing.. but that’s for another entry.

Anyway, I’m super happy about how everything’s taking off for me in February!  Its one of those “I know I can do it if I take charge” type of accomplishments. 

I feel good.  Yay.

WELL!

Looks like I made it through the first month of the new decade.  Lots has happened, and it feels great!  I’ve set a bunch of goals for myself this year, and it looks like its all taking off—slowly but surely.   I’m so serious in getting in line with school, work, my debt, social life, and just… finding progress.  It feels like 2009 went by without getting much done (by my standards), so hopefully 2010 will make up for what I meant to accomplish last year as well.  Anyway.

I kicked off the year with good friends and family, can’t remember the majority of the night, but it was a great way to kick off the decade to say the very least.

Lets start off with the main thing that I’ve been meaning to get off my chest:

Debt is not a cute thing, folks.  Credit cards are NOT your friend, and in this economy, INTEREST RATES are definitely not your friend.  You see, when you decide to live on your own, suddenly, there are a lot more things you need to pay for.  Suddenly, I was in between a few jobs that didn’t offer stability and… yeah.  Lots of things piled up, and when I wasn’t financially secure, a credit card sometimes offers relief in situations like mine (tuition, books, food, gas, etc).  Soooo it built, and it built, and it built to an amount where it just didn’t seem like a paycheck would help pay for it.  So I sucked it up and looked at my options and decided that it was time to let go of one of my most valuable collections.

For the past 5 or so years now, my blythe collection went from 3-4 dolls to 12-15 dolls.  Yeah, I know! haha.  The value on them is more than what any non-collector could ever imagine. Lucky for me, when putting together my collection, I chose the dolls that built lots of value over time—some whose valued even doubled by the time I put them up for sale, or “adoption” as we say in the Blythe community.  In short, by selling about 6 of the 8 dolls pictured above, the collected revenue has totaled to a little over 3 grand?  IN DOLL MONEY.  Love!  Who ever said Blythes weren’t an investment? (Lito, COUGH) I still have a couple of dolls that need to be sold, though.  For those who are wondering, no, I didn’t sell my entire collection.But that will be left for the next entry. 

So that’s been my “January Project”. 

I’ve also sold my soul to my company (USA) for the first quarter of the year, and working every weekend until the end of March—so loong social life!  This time, though, I’ve been promoted in my job title(s), so by the end of the season I should be DEBT FREE and hopefully have some spare change for my next topic:

If all goes as planned, and I get my finances in line, I, Sonia Ramirez, will be off to GERMANY! ksjdlifhsdlfhjaklsdgnkasdgasg Its great when you have friends who share the same passion for traveling as you do.   I seriously can’t wait!  Tour dates TBA. 

I also decided to get serious with school and spoke to a counselor regarding my major/teaching credentials, and it looks like I still have a few years to go, BUT!  At least I now know 1) what school I want to go to; 2) what major/credential program I want to go into; 3) how I’m going to get there.  Now I have a better idea of how much time/work is left, so my future isn’t as “up in the air” as it used to be.  Taking control of things feels good. 

Speaking of school, guess who graduated from obedience school?!?!

My puppy rules.  I swear. 

Anyway, I have stuff to do.  But yeah, that’s me in a nutshell thus far.  We’re off to a good start!

 

 

 

1) Where did you begin 2009?
At my soulmate’s pad, completely wasted.  The way it should be, ha!

2) What was your relationship status by Valentine’s Day?
2+ years and still going strong. =)  And Baby Albert was born that day!  So cool.

3) Were you in school anytime this year?
Yessir.  Took the Fall semester off though.  That was NOT fun.

4) How did you earn your money?
USA all the way.  Good-bye 2nd, 3rd, and 4th jobs!
5) Did you have to go to the hospital?
Nope, counting my blessings!

6) Did you have any encounters with the police?
Nope, not even for speeding.

7) Would you relive 2009 over and over again?
Probably, it was a decent year overall.

8) What did you purchase that was over $1000?
Nothing that I can think of. I was really good about spending this year
9) Did/Do you know anybody who got married?
Only one of my favorite couples, ever!

10) Did you know anybody who passed away?
Yes. A piece of my youth kinda went with it.  =(

11) Did you know anyone who had a baby?
I swear it was like baby fever at the beginning of the year! Super cute, all of them.
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12) Did you move anywhere?
No, finally. haha

13) What concerts/shows did you go to?
Not as many as I would’ve liked, but there were a few that definitely stood out to me..

14) Are you registered to vote?
Yep.

15) Do you still have the same job as you did in 2008?
Nope! Started a new one, and I ain’t looking back til graduation!

16) Has anyone betrayed you in 2009?
Fuck yeah.  It hurt, but I’m not surprised.

17) Where do you live now?
In my awesome apartment, with my awesome boyfriend and awesome puppy.

18) Describe your birthday?
It was a 4-day event!  Filled with friends, loved ones, gifts, and is going down in history as one of my most memorable ones!

19) What’s are some things you thought you’d never do but did in 2009?
Go to the gym, fly to Portland (twice!), the illegal stuff in Vegas, take a morning after pill (LAWLZ)...

20) What has been your favorite moment?
THIS ONE.

21) What’s something you learned about yourself?
I’m a work-a-holic by nature.  Well, its something I always kinda knew, but it was more validated this year than any other.  Taking a semester off = lots of free time that I don’t know what to do with.  Never doing THAT again!

22) Any new additions to your family?
Zee puppy.

23) What was your best month?
May!  I traveled a lot. =)

24) Were you in a relationship this year?
All of it.

<3

25) What music will you remember 2009 by?
Lady gaga, Ida Maria, Radiohead, the Beatles.

26) Who has been your best drinking buddy/buddies?
Not so much drinking, but by far, Ricky and Nairoby.

27) New friend?
USA family, love all-around

28) Favorite night out?
This night.

No one would believe me if I told them. “What happens in Vegas…”

29) Would you say you’ve changed since the beginning of this year?
Oh, fuck yeah.  Definitely more grounded, priorities are in line, and I’m ready to take on everything in 2010.  Getting shit done and it feels fantastic.

30) Do you think 2010 will be better or worse?
It WILL be better, I already know it.

It seems my kitchen and I are getting along again.

Yesterday we FINALLY went grocery shopping and re-stocked our fridge.  It felt good to have food in the house again, and inspired me to try and try a new recipe for a change.  We had bought lo mein noodles and a veggie stirfry (water chestnuts, carrots, broccoli, yellow carrots, celery), so I mixed it up with some chicken, herbs, seasoning and lemon juice.  I also steamed rice on the side (love my rice cooker! ).  The end results were SOOO GOOD.  Albert rated it a 5 out of 5… I was quite proud of myself The broccoli in the stir fry was just crunchy enough on the outside, with its own juice still completely absorbed inside it.  MMMMMM.  I was even more happy at the fact that it was a new recipe I tried, and it came out soo perfect.  I wish I’d made enough for leftovers! argh. 

Anyway. 

Today I think I’m going to try something new with the leftover steamed rice I have.  Maybe some pineapple fried rice?  Me and my asian dishes, by the time I’m done learning all these recipes, you’ll be wondering if I was really born into a Mexican family, bwahaha.

I wish I would do this more often.  Cooking is so fun, even when you don’t know what you’re doing.

I’ve had a lame-ass cold lately.  So lame that I had to miss work for a couple of days last week.  And just when I thought I’d see a turn-around on Friday, I actually wound up feeling worse.  Yay me.  Yay air conditioning.

Spent the entire weekend recuperating.  Saturday with my mom, and yesterday with Albert.  Didn’t do a god damn thing yesterday, and it felt fucking gewd.  I think we fell asleep somewhere around 930?  Albert says I fell asleep earlier than that.  Everything is honestly a blur, all I remember was Sunday jumping up onto the couch with me and plopping down for bedtime too. 

I have a sudden urge to go to the gym today and get my blood flowing.  But now with the cold weather finally starting to kick in, truth be told, I just want to snuggle up under my covers with Albert and sleep the day away. Again.

The point of this entry?  A waste of time.  I swear I had more substance than this when I started off. 

Drained.