Wait, when was the last time I posted something?!

It's been over six months since my last post, and things in my life have changed immensely.

Brief overview:

- Spent a month in Italy with my BFF

- Got accepted to the teaching credential program at CSU Long Beach

- Moved back to Long Beach

- Started waiting tables again

- Went to Australia

- Started school and watched all my free time slip away

So, here are some pictures of some of the fun things I have done during this time :)

Campo de'fiori market in Roma

Wine tasting at a 1,000 year old castle in Tuscany

Venezia, Italia

Messina, Sicilia, Italia

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney, Australia

Three sisters Katoomba, Australia

View from my Aunt's kitchen, Maclagan, Australia

Cows from the dairy farm, Maclagan, Australia

Carmen Trutanich - get educated Angelenos

I am ashamed to say that prior to reading this article, I had no idea who our city attorney is. Carmen Trutanich has attempted to expand the powers of the city attorney's office and has trampled on the rights of the citizens of this glorious city. Rather than focusing on decreasing gang violence, he is going after medical marijuana dispensaries that are in compliance with laws and street artists trying to have gallery shows. Clearly, these two groups are more hazardous to public safety than the Bloods or the Crips.

 The article I read was from last week's issue of LA Weekly. Click here to read it. 

"But since he took office, gang convictions are down 31%" - LA Weekly

Please, go out and register to vote. Here are the dates for elections here in California.


Picture taken from Google Images

Happy Leap Year!!

In an effort to connect mind and spirit, I have been reading daily meditations from the Dalai Lama. Every time I see his picture I just want to hug him, I can't help it. Anyways, I hope you can find guidance in today's thought.

"A nagging sense of discontent, a feeling of being dissatisfied, or of something not being right, is the fuel that gives rise to anger and hatred. This discontent arises in us when we feel that either ourselves, or someone we love, or our close friends are being treated unfairly or threatened and that people are being unjust.  Also, when others obstruct us in achieving something, we feel that we are being trodden upon, and then we feel angry. So the approach here is to get at the root, appreciating the casual nexus, the chain, which will ultimately explode in an emotional state like anger or hatred." - His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Food for Thought

Since I have been doing my 30 day yoga challenge, I have had a lot of time to reflect about a variety of things in my life. I have seen significant changes, not only in my strength and flexibility, but the way I approach my day. I feel more zen about everything.

Each class we begin with setting an intention, something that you want to focus on, it could be breath, an issue you are working through, peace, being present in the moment, etc. The class usually begins in a few still moments preparing the mind for the practice. Usually the teachers will read a meditation which can help to set the mood or focus for the class. Tonight we were focusing on habits, and this was the poem that the instructor read.

RIP Whitney

I am so shocked and saddened by this news. Drugs are bad kids.

Getting My Happy Ass in Shape

I am going to Italy for a month, 32 days to be exact. If there is one thing my homeland is known for, it's their food. Knowing that my jeans will be snug on my flight home, I am being proactive about the situation.

The yoga studio I go to is having a 30 day yoga challenge which entails going to yoga class 6 days a week for the next month. Each class is an hour and a half long meaning that I will be in downward facing dog for nine hours a week. Now, let me clear any misconceptions about yoga - it is not simply just breathing and stretching. Oh no, I walk away from most classes with jelly legs and wake up in the morning feeling like I got hit by a truck. Eventually, I would like to be able to do this:

Now, in reality I know that I cannot simply attain this in one month, but I am doing my best to be healthy. I am cutting down on deliciously fried things, magnificent cheese, and comforting chocolate (only for three weeks though - lets be real). All of these things will be plentiful in Italia and I cannot wait.

Reflection

Let's be honest, I spend a lot of time thinking about my relationships with men, and I had a realization. Thank you Sex and the City.

 

The times they are a changin'

For those of you who don't interact with me on a daily basis, I have been working at a job I despise since May 2011. It has gotten to the point where I dread waking up every morning.

Shit that Makes Me Laugh

Every time I watch this girl's videos I laugh, without fail. Here is just a sampler:

Although I have yet to try this technique, I believe her other strategies may be more successful.

Jesus and the lamb...

Things You Should NEVER Put on Your Resume

I spend a good portion of my day at work looking at resumes. The majority of them are all the same, but there are some that make me laugh, and not in a good way. Many people will put an "interests" section in a resume. At times, this could work in their favor, but most of the time this could work against them. For example, if I put the Lakers as an interest and the person reviewing the resumes is a huge Celtics fan, do you really think it will put your resume above the others? No, it won't. In fact, they will look at it and see Kobe's beautiful face making Paul Pierce cry and in a fit of rage nearly throw their computer out the window.

Recently, the best thing I saw was someone saying that their interests involve "watching the clouds pass." Now, this person must be living under a rock since they don't understand the cultural connotation that comes with cloud watching. Cloud watcher = lazy. Who wants to hire someone who would rather watch some clouds pass than work? No wonder you are unemployed you lazy fuck. So, rule #1: leave the interests section off. They are more interested in your skill set then what you like to do in your free time.

Next, I love opening a resume with a huge picture of your face. I get it, outside the US they tend to ask for a pic, know your audience. Even on Craigslist, if they ask for a picture they probably aren't legit. Rule #2: save the pictures for your Facebook page. Unless you are applying for a job in the adult field. No one cares how well you can Photoshop your face to make your wrinkles disappear.

Also, a resume should only show what you have been doing for the past ten years. No one cares that you were an accountant in the '70s when for the past 20 years you worked at Walmart. They won't hire you as an accountant. Then they will also know about how old you are, don't give them a reason to discriminate against you. If you think age discrimination no longer exists, don't kid yourself. Rule #3: No one cares what you were doing during the Civil Rights movement.

Hope this helps those of you who are unemployed :)