October!

This month is dealing with my finances!  I am so excited!  I have been working on this throughout the year and now that Carl and I are married we have to really combine and organize!
We start tomorrow!

Food, glorious food!

This was all the food I bought last week at the farmers market!  It has all been delicious.  While I didn't make one entire meal that was 100% local we have had several meals that include local food.  And it is delicious!  I will have to try harder in 2011!

And we're back!

Hello again!  Did you miss me dear reader?
Great!
first we update:  last month, without even meaning to, I fulfilled my monthly resolution.  I was doing everything I could to relax about our wedding, including daily meditation!  I think it really helped!  I just was unable to also blog about it, since that would have been an added "obligation" that I would not be able to complete!  But I did it for most of the month, especially around the wedding days!

So--onto this month, eating within 100 miles.  Luckily for me, we have a farmers market within walking distance of our home, so that helps with my carbon footprint.  I am going to prepare one meal a week with as many local ingredients as possible.  So I start with this weekend--by drinking local at the brewfest at Mt. Snow VT!

For more info on eating within 100 miles go here:  http://100milediet.org/

no T.V. is virtually impossible!!!!

Especially since at the end of my days lately--I need something that requires no thinking.  That means no reading.  Even magazines are beyond me.
So my wedding is in 12 days and I am very stressed out.  I have been practicing yoga for the past few days and trying to be above it all--but as we get closer I am starting to lose it.
At any rate--I will not be posting from now until after the honeymoon.  And I will make another attempt on the no T.V.  front.
Wish me luck with the wedding and I will back on track next month!!!

I have cheated every night this month.

Although I am watching less TV--I'm spending way more time on the internet.  I started reading one of the books I bought and it is GREAT!  I stayed up way too late reading last night.  And I am spending the rest of my free time worrying and fretting about my upcoming wedding plans.
SO, should I keep trying not to watch TV--or move around the month plans again and try next month???
I'll think about it a little more, while I finish watching this show.....

no tv month sucks....

thats all I have to say.

Well, no it isn't .  I went to Borders today and bought two books and a magazine.  Lets see how far that gets me....and this weekend is difficult because Carl isn't here to distract me with his cute little eyeballs....what else do I stare into aside from a 43" television!!???

woops!

This month has already started!  I can't believe this summer is already going so fast! So, Love month was full of love--but the exercises proved to be very difficult.  We are still working our way through them, and still very much in love while doing so!

July is supposed to be no TV month!  Yikes, I forgot and have already watched 2 days of television!!!

Okay--so here are the rules:

I am not allowed to sit down and watch TV.

However, the television is in our common area in our home, and as you all may or may not know, I live with 3 other people!  So avoiding TV is going to be difficult and possibly lonely!  So while I will not willingly sit down and watch television, I will have to be able to be in the same room with a working television throughout the month.

SOOOOO, wish me luck!!!!

Love, Love, Love

This is Love month!

Carl and I are taking the month of June to prepare for our marital bliss!

Out of respect for Carl's privacy I won't be blogging many details, but I will tell you, kind reader, about our plans.

I researched different "pre-marital" exercises and information on line, checked out some podcasts on itunes, and finally decided to go with my original idea:

Several years ago-while in the midst of previous relationship, I bought a book I heard about from Oprah (my bff) Called "Getting the Love you Want" by Dr. Harville Hendrix

This book was to fix said relationship....It was not a miracle worker...

I did find it, however, to be a very interesting and enlightening book that I have kept all of these years.  And while I feel Carl and I have a very secure and loving relationship, I think the exercises detailed in the book could help us understand and respect each other more, and help to build an even more loving and supportive partnership.

That being said, I did not think Carl would even be interested in doing this, or letting me blog about it, but he proved me wrong by being entirely open.  I am one lucky woman.  

So, Saturday we started with the first of 10 exercises, and it was actually fun!  I look forward to our next "session."  We have decided to do them at our leisure so we may not finish all of the exercises before the end of this month but definitely before our wedding.  I will be giving you updates on how we are doing.

(April update:  Carl and I have taken up tennis once or twice a week and I have been lifting weights a couple days a week too!)

(May update:  I just finished my first container of floss!)

and the results are in.....

Flossing is cool!

.

Today was the last mandatory day of flossing, from now on, its optional.  But I like it and am gonna keep on flossing.  

In terms of my June challenge, Carl and I are developing what we are going to be working on over the next month, and how I will be blogging about it.  Basically our feelings are we have spent several months planning the wedding of our dreams, and should probably devote some of that time to preparing for our marriage. 

So thats it. 

see you tomorrow.  

Healthy Gums, scary neck

Still going strong with flossing!  There is less blood (yuck) which I assume is good.  My gums must be getting healthier!  Please avoid looking at my neck in these pictures.  It is scary.

flossy Milliken

We are almost half-way through the month and I have been flossing every night.  How do my teeth look?   I still hate taking the time to floss...but am always pleased with myself when I finish...just like exercising.  Hmmmmm. if only exercising took one minute a day.

Hey! Its May!

Weee!  An exciting month of flossing!  Watch out world!  Here is a view of my chompers.

Definition

According to Wikipedia:  
Plyometrics is a type of exercise training designed to produce fast, powerful movements, and improve the functions of the nervous system, generally for the purpose of improving performance in sports. Plyometric movements, in which a muscle is loaded and then contracted in rapid sequence, use the strength, elasticity and innervation of muscle and surrounding tissues to jump higher, run faster, throw farther, or hit harder, depending on the desired training goal. Plyometrics is used to increase the speed or force of muscular contractions, providing explosiveness for a variety of sport-specific activities.




OR Plyometrics was something designed to make me suicidal.  My roommate slash soon-to-be-brother-in-law joined me halfway through, and stopped after about 15 minutes because the video was "insane".  And he is the only one in the apartment that works out on a fairly regular basis.  My legs are killing me.  I hope I make it through all 90 days.


I can't wait to start flossing.

P90X--I got it.

Day one of P90X.  Do I have to do the diet too?  Carl and I made some chicken from their recipe book which was pretty good.  but I had two snickerdoodles for dessert.  I am not doing this to look like the crazy muscle-y people in the video--just to look a little firmer.  So I allow myself the snickerdoodle..or two.
I am a little sore.  I'm sure tomorrow will feel much worse when I wake up early for day two.
Pylometrics or something scary sounding like that.
I am also re-arranging the order of some of the month challenges.  No TV month falls in the middle of the Glee season and we cannot have that.

To P90X, or not to P90X, that is the question

I am now considering P90X.  Carl thinks its a scam, but I have seen at least 2 people who have completed it, or were in the middle of it and they looked ripped.  I am recruiting my upstairs neighbors to join me.   This is obviously a battle of my will.  I must overcome myself.  I never realized how stubborn I was until now.  Also I bought two tennis racquets, and balls for Carl and I to start playing once a week.  I already have the shoes and the outfit because I have always loved tennis clothing.  It must be the preppy New England yachtsmen in me.  My 10 lb weights still silently mock me from the corner of my bedroom...

one day in a row

I walked over 13,000 steps today, but didn't lift.  Boooooooooooooo.  The weights are right there.  I'm looking at them right now.  I was too proud about how many steps I took.  I spent too much time on the computer.  I have too many excuses.  help me.

stepping out

At work I am averaging about 8,000 steps per shift, and these were measured on days that weren't too busy.  When I have a normal day at home I averaged about 4,000 steps, so I would say I am hitting at least the 10,000 step mark on my working days, which is a good start.
I work the rest of this week, including the weekend, but I am on lunch shifts, which gives me a chance to add a little more to my "cardio"  (haha)  when I get home from work.
The book I normally turn to when working out is "The Body Sculpting Bible for Women"  and I usually would couple that with the cardio suggestions from Self magazine when they are promoting the "self Challenge"  (it gets me doing intervals to make treadmill running less boring)
So, tomorrow I will take a page from the body sculpting book and lift for my arms.  I'll let you know how that goes.  Then Friday is going to be abs.  There, I hope I follow through this time, I can still win this thing!!!

Stairs

So day one on my new job (back to waitressing for the summer--total bummer) and the dining room is upstairs, while the kitchen is down.  So I think I got a workout today.  Tomorrow I will wear a pedometer and check it out.  I think 12:30 pm is a little to late to work-out, so a proper work out will have to wait until I am not working a double... As soon as I get my work schedule I will be able to prepare an exercise plan.  So currently life is not going according to my plan, but I have some things in the works for my own Design business, and a possible interview coming up.  Hopefully this waitressing thing is temporary because MAN, my arms are sore!

Total failure

Okay, this is the one month I completely gave up on.  It is somehow the most daunting idea, this "exercise" thing.  I used to love to work out.  Running was my meditation, my therapy, but now it just seems painful.  I come up with a million reasons not to run the moment I decide to go out.  
And just now I am realizing that just because I am supposed to be exercising, this doesn't necessarily mean running.  I have to get that out of my head, because that is the thing I dread the most.
As I said before, I will continue this challenge into the next month.   And I think the only way to get out of my non-committal rut is to design some sort of a schedule with different kinds of work-outs, and maybe throw a day or two of running in for fun, as it will be easier to adhere to something more concrete.  So, tomorrow is DAY 1!  I will post my schedule for week 1 and fit in my first workout.... that seems too hard already....

epic fail

OK I admit it!  I'm hiding from my own blog!  But will start fresh this coming weekend.  The weather has been beautiful and I am ready to get back on track.  I am going to extend this challenge into next month and see how I do.  I need encouragement.  This all reminds me of a saying I learned in elementary school "if at first you don't succeed, try try again."  Will do.

First Run!

Thanks to Bobby for putting the bug in my ear and suggesting I run a marathon (ha!)  Instead I put on my new running shoes (seen above) and went for a thirty minute run.  This was my first run outside in years I am embarrassed to say.  Its a nice mild day out and snow is melting everywhere--so it was a little wet, but not too bad.
I have a few strange things that I must have when I run: I chew gum and absolutely cannot run without putting on my chapstick first.  When running outside I usually don't bring an ipod--I prefer to focus on my breathing, but I needed something to a) encourage me, and b) keep time.    I listened to the Glee soundtrack.  First song:  Don't Stop Believin'--oh yeah, that was great!  By the third song I was feeling a little burny feeling in my lungs, a sign that it had been awhile.  I made it through the thirty minutes pretty well.  And now am suffering from the jello legs.  
I always find this first day of a workout is not too rough, easy even.  Its everyday after that is difficult, in fact some days feel like you have lead feet and legs.
One reason I have not been running in a while is a slight knee injury that I have never had anyone but my kinesiologist look at (he didn't seem that concerned about it--like he didn't say "OMG this is really bad") Frankly it usually hurts after about a month of training, but lately its been hurting just from walking or on snowboarding days.  I do not want surgery, so I need to find some way to be able to run and not have any issues.  I read an AMAZING book recently that suggested this was all possible for me, and now I am putting it to the test.   http://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidden-Superathletes-Greatest/dp/0307266303/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267644181&sr=8-1
I am trying to change my stride.  Note the super thin and really not that supportive running shoes.  We will see how this all goes.  If you are a runner, or even if you are not, this book is fantastic.
So anyway, one last thing: thanks Bob.  The run felt great.

Shoveling counts!

Today I had to shovel out my soon-to-be father-in-laws car from the snowstorm last week. (he is in VT and I was borrowing his car)  It took me 40 minutes, and after my arms felt like lead weights hanging off of my shoulders.  I was all shaky and weak.  Despite my mothers suggestion that snowboarding does not count as exercise, I believe it does, and so does shoveling.  I realize that for some people shoveling is a common almost everyday occurrence, but for someone who thinks coloring  (excuse me, rendering) is a job, shoveling is most definitely a workout.
This does however, raise the question of "what constitutes exercise?" I think aerobic activity that gets your heart-rate up for a significant amount of time, and/or muscle building/flexibility work-outs.  So when I decide that my "wii-yoga" is adequate exercise, you just smile and nod mom....xo

Happy March 1st!!!

So I finished no soda month with a bang!  I never even had a sip of it on accident!  As I said before I will try to continue this practice for the rest of the year.  I will keep you updated!
And Forward MARCH!!!
I started exercise month (one day early) with a bang!  Basically I rolled around in four feet of fresh powder at a high altitude for 4 hours or so.  Just kidding...I was snowboarding.  It was terrible.  I am not used to riding in powder, and I was pretty exhausted by the end of the day.  I would say that counts towards a day of exercise.
Here are the parameters of this months challenge:  work out at minimum for 30 minutes, 3 times per week.  I want to do more, and I will try, but I cannot commit to more than that right now.  I need to be realistic about this month if I want to be successful.  Usually when embarking on a work-out regimen I would do 30 minutes of cardio 3 days a week with an ab workout, then free weights 3 days a week, resting on Sunday.  That is for when I am feeling hard-core.  I am not feeling hard-core.  I recently finished three years of Grad school  where my muscles had a chance to completely atrophy.  I had maybe three days of cardio within those three years.  I'm feeling really weak... so I'm just leaning into this, and possibly, after this month, and as I get closer to my wedding date, I will become more hard core.
Anyway, this month I will be trying out all different kinds of exercise, to keep it interesting.  Feel free to send suggestions!  (I may even post videos this month!) There is an indoor pool right down the street I can go to, and I want to try Bikram Yoga, which I have never done, and maybe even Zumba classes among other things.  I am not interested in losing weight, just feeling healthier and stronger.
Please join me!

Last week!

I am finishing my last week of no soda month!  I still want it!  What will happen when this month is over?  What will stop me from having a soda????  

Hopefully what will stop me is Exercise Month!  I am gearing up for it, making plans, and recruiting friends to join.  We have a gym in our building but it is not finished, and there are only a couple of machines in there....More planning ahead.  I may have to do all of my cardio outside! (oh no!)  

going stong

I still have not had any soda this month, even though I still crave them!
I am hoping I will continue to refuse soda even after this month--especially after the study came out that Dr. Oz commented on which I posted earlier this month.
So that is the new goal, maybe I should just extend this for the entire year....hmmmmmmm...

January update

My sister commented today that I have posted more frequently this month than January.  Well, soda is so much easier to talk about!
But I thought I would take this opportunity to update all of you on what is going on with the job search.  I am still sending my resume out to people who may be able to help me find work or at least put me in contact with others who can help.
Last week I ordered new business cards that are more specific to what I want to be doing and am spending energy focusing on that as well.
so, there you have it. Hope to be working soon!!!

I watched The View this morning with Dr. Oz

Please check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv9mnaXSrlI

Day 3! Still no Soda!

The afternoons are the hardest time because thats when I would usually have a soda to make it to the evening, when I am distracted with family and dinner activities.  I luckily have a unique living situation where my best friend is a great source of support--as well as my fiancee and his brother, who is also married to my best friend!  More on that later. But I received something in the mail today from health magazine and its a "belly blaster" health card which reads:  "Avoid carbonation. Fizzy drinks are full of gas--and you will be, too, if you drink them.  The result? A not-so-svelte profile."  Thanks Belly Blaster Health Card!!!

first craving of many....

I really want a soda right now....breathing through it....

No Soda Month!

UHG. No soda for a month.  Especially sad since this month crept up on me and I have two mini Diet Cokes tucked away in the fridge calling my name!  (not sure why the pic came out like I was looking in the mirror...I still don't understand how this mac works...)
In high school and college I had a pretty heavy soda habit, which I understand is nothing compared to others habits. I always tried to curb excessive use and keep it to one soda a day. Every once in a while I would give it up for a period of time, but start up again after a while because it is such a delicious and refreshing beverage! But several books, documentaries, shows, and celebrities have convinced me that soda is REALLY bad for me. And it costs money that I could be spending on other, better, drinks.
My drink of choice was Coke for a very long time. And in Grad school, where I developed all kinds of unhealthy habits, I switched to Diet Coke. I don't think one is better for you, but somehow the calories consumed where what made me switch. I don't like club soda or other sodas like sprite, 7-up, or ginger ale as much. By the way, has anyone noticed that ginger ale tried to pass itself off as a natural drink by advertising that it COULD be sold in the produce aisle since it contains ginger!  So anyway, for the month of February all soda is off limits--even in mixed drinks, (thank goodness for beer!)  Hopefully the choice of no soda goes hand-in-hand with several other "good" habits.  Here goes nothing.

January is over!

Here we are at the end of month one! Thank goodness! Not only because the winter gets better in Feb and March, but I can stop looking for a job now! Just kidding!
I come out of this month with having learned a few things, which I guess was the point. Well, the point really was to find work, but I made a few steps closer to work, AND learned a few things along the way! Even better than I imagined.
First, I can pat myself on the back for the improvement of my networking skills. It helped me acquire a "mentor" within the biz. Also, a plan to work alongside said mentor with the intention of becoming part of her successful business.
In the meantime, I will continue to look for full-time work in the city or any other opportunities that come my way. Depending on where I am in a few months I may have to make another "focus on finding a job month."
One thing that was on my mind throughout most of this month was: what if I was in any other situation, I would have to really swallow my pride and do something I don't want for a while to survive. The question I have been asking myself (and others in my position) for some time now is "where does my search for the perfect job end, and the search for ANY job begin? Were I in any other situation, like having to pay rent and utilities or live without my CT client who keeps my hope alive that I have some skills worth paying for. What would I do then? Where would I be? How would I reconcile spending thousands of dollars on my graduate degree while working at a local restaurant as a waitress, where I was when I started. The whole point of grad school was to improve my situation, guarantee a job in the design world, and make more money.
Still, I don't know what the answer is. I do know that what my father always said is true: "life isn't fair." I have to make the best of my situation. Though recently while watching my favorite financial advisor Suze Orman, there was a 28 year old woman on who was laid off from her job (that she seemed not to like very much. ) They offered her job back with no benefits and she didn't want it. Suze said DO NOT TAKE THE JOB. First, it seems like the company was trying to take advantage of her. Second, her family was pressuring her to take the job because it is a paying job and in this economy who can say no. WEll Suze said it. This young woman, at 28 years of age, has her life ahead of her and her only job is to MAKE HER DREAMS a REALITY. It validated what I am doing. Somewhat. I need to push forward and make my dreams come true. I need to believe I can make them happen, and continue to try despite the risk involved.

exploring possibility

Yesterday I went into the city with Kaja. (http://www.kajagamdesign.com/) We went to the corian showroom and to her clients loft apartment downtown. We checked out the bathroom demolition her husband the contractor was, well demolishing. I sat in on their lunch meeting about possibly moving the overflow, what to do with the tile edges, and how the radiant heat flooring was going to be installed. We also dropped by her two other clients homes where she was extremely close with their families, and had some quick follow up work to do or consulting. And even though I am not paid to be there, I considered it all a great learning experience.
I was also able to send out a resume earlier this week and today worked on my google sketch-up skillz.
And to top off my week, I was contacted by a business in town looking for an admin assistant part-time. We have not spoken yet, but I am willing to meet with her to discuss the possibility. Should I be dreaming big, aiming high and only be pursuing jobs that suit my degree or should I be worried about money, and making ends meet? Perhaps both.
I'm considering sending resume to California Closets--I just saw a posting.

update

Ok--so my many readers must be wondering what ever happened with the design lady in town! So here is the update:
We met last week and spoke about how we could help each other out. I can't necessarily go out on my own yet because I have a total lack of resources, contacts, and experience. I feel as though I would be providing my clients with a a laundry list of complaints about the inevitable mistakes I would make on subsequent projects.
And she needs to grow her business in a time when most are hunkering down and not making big plans utilizing an experienced and expensive interior designer.
We came to the conclusion that I would help her network and market her business, and she would provide me with a space to work, as well as a few billable hours here and there, as well as a learning experience. This is all with the intention that I will someday become a part of her business.
Now I am not totally sold. I sat in on a meeting with her and some bankers and heard many things discussed about running your own business and it scared the hell out of me. I almost ran to Gensler with my resume shouting "PLEASE HIRE ME IN YOUR HORRIBLE FACELESS CORPORATE YET COMFORTABLE AND GIANT ARCHITECTURE FIRM!!!"
So yes, I am still looking for full time work. In fact I responded to an add on craigslist just today for an assistant design position in the city. and I am still babysitting. But I feel a step ahead where I was last month. I still have a lot to think about, and to work on. I face everyday trying to improve myself in so many ways. I have less than one week left of this month, I hope to approach it with gusto. and next week, well, its a new month.

work???

The meeting went well! We are working towards some sort of an arrangement that benefits the both of us. I go back tomorrow with some ideas and to test the waters...

Good news!

The woman I emailed yesterday who works in town wrote me back!!!
She still does not have full time positions available but wants me to stop by to discuss the "future" OOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!! I LOVE the FUTURE!!!!!

Moving forward

I had a lot of time this week to work on my "resolution" and I spent most of the time beating myself up! But did make some headway on a few things. I sent my resume and work samples in to a couple of job postings. Those are always a stretch but I have had two other interviews thanks to that so I am still hopeful. I know once I get in the door I can be my best, its just a question of whether I fit in better than any other candidate. Something that would be really helpful is if I knew ANYONE that works at these companies. If you know anyone at Ethan Allen or Equinox gyms please let me know!

I also sent a little email to a high-school friend who is redoing his kitchen. (His mom told my mom and then my mom wouldn't let me get away without asking him about it!) So, I let him know I am available, even if for a free consultation, which I am totally willing to do for anyone who may need my interior design services down the road.

There is an interior designer in town that I met with in June, and her business was not doing well enough to hire at the time, but it was a great informational meeting and she seemed interested in my work. So today I emailed her some examples of what I have been working on since I finished school, and asked her to keep me in mind if she had any work she needed help with. One thing I forgot to do was ask her how work was going for her--which may have been detrimental to me ever working with her. Bugger.

I am also playing around with some ideas of my own business. I want to be out on my own but I have so much to learn. I feel like there will be so many mistakes along the way, and I don't even know where to start. I also am aware that sometimes the biggest risk gets the biggest reward and I may have to take a risk in order to ever know if I could be a success.

Week three!

Hello again! Last week I went north to CT to work with my freelance client...we got so much work done! I love going there and working with her as it always puts me in the right frame of mind (I AM a designer, I DO know what I am doing, I LIKE my work!) Early in the week we focused on Bath fittings and towards the end were thinking about the kitchen accessories, and doing a lot of problem solving in the meantime. When I got home I continued on the kitchen work.
Meanwhile, I stayed up late one night and found some show on depression and job loss. It was interesting enough for me to find a website the subject was using...
http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/testcenter.aspx

I took a few tests throughout last week. My first test was authentic happiness survey. I think I scored low because of the mood I was in while I took the test...I was feeling pretty down and out at the moment. I imagine if I took it again right now I would score better (since I just had a cup of coffee!)

In addition to the authentic happiness survey, I took the brief strengths test which seemed pretty accurate. I scored highest on forgiveness and mercy, appreciation of beauty and excellence, and humor.
As for my lowest scores I did not fare so well in self-regulation, humility and modesty, and leadership and bravery.
It seems that my strengths would have nothing to do with finding or having a job with the exception of the knack for "appreciation of beauty." And my weaknesses may highlight why it is taking me 6 months to find a job! I think something I could focus on this month is the self-regulation...as it is a huge part of my new years resolution.

I have a couple of things left to do today, and I will tell you about them in my next post.

I also found several other blogs on job loss and depression. Please do read these if you are feeling like you may be in the same place, or perhaps to help understand where a loved one is in terms of their own job search.
http://www.job-hunt.org/article_jobsearchblues.shtml
http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/10/29/depression-clouds-everything/
http://jobhunt.typepad.com/jobsearching/2007/10/job-search-depr.html

Day 1 Monday

Okay, who knew it would happen like this? I did. I stayed up way too late last night, reading. Therefore I slept in way too long today, day one of my job hunt.
I know, excuses, excuses.
I needed motivation. I drank coffee. I started working on my freelance project, to get the ball rolling. I ended up doing that most of the day, all while talking on the phone with my mom, and my friend Shannon. Though Shan is in the same place as me, graduated, looking for work in the design industry, so you could call that "market research" I suppose.
But what it comes down to is how do I do this? How do I make my first move and what is my first move??? I have had three good job leads in the past 6 months and all of them have fallen flat, this is not good for the old confidence! It comes down to the fact that I'm scared. I have to put myself out there to get a big return, and thats scary. This is one of the reasons I set up the blog, because it gives me something or someone to answer to at the end of the day. And it sucks having to say I failed day 1 of my project. But I can only start over again. Tomorrow is a new day, isn't that what life is about?
I am working on the freelance project the next few days, because that was best for my clients schedule, and we have a lot of work to do. I will be back putting my best foot forward at the end of the week. sigh....

January

This month is all about finding full time work for myself. I have a masters degree in Interior Design from Pratt Institute. I am currently working on a small residential freelance project. This takes about three days of each week. Last year I babysat to supplement my income, but this year I would like to find full time work within my industry.
My proposal for this month is to dedicate my time to updating and improving my portfolio, making more connections in the business in New York City, networking, marketing myself and my work, and ultimately getting a full time job in the interior design world. Yes, I need more than a month. Hopefully the work I do within January will carry over into the next few months and I will have work in no time!
Schedule:
Mondays and Tuesdays are full days working on the aforementioned proposal.
Thursday Fridays are to work on existing job.
Wednesdays are divided in half for both.