Healthy Eating

Is it as hard for you as it is for me?

Because I slowly came to the realization this holiday weekend that I basically just a whole lot of junk. Fried, salty, unhealthy junk.

Fourth of July? Barbecue.
Mom's birthday? Cookout.
Sunday? Pizza.

The only remotely healthy meal I had was Monday, when my dad made teriyaki chicken with rice and I made edamame. Even that is truly healthy but hey, it's better than pizza, right?

I visited my parents from Friday until Tuesday, partly for the Fourth, partly for my mom's birthday, and partly for a dentist appointment. I need to find a new dentist!!

When I got home, I really started thinking about how unhealthy I've been. And then I thought about all of the food that I'm going to eat on my cruise (filet mignon, warm chocolate melting cake, and the bread. Oh god the bread.) So, I made the decision: for the next week, until I get on my cruise, I will be eating healthier. I went to the grocery store and picked up fruit, vegetables, eggs, chicken, and green tea.

Yesterday was the first day of my new healthy eating plan, but I did very well! Hopefully I can keep it up until my cruise and even get back on track afterwards. There is no way I will be able to eat healthy on my cruise. That warm chocolate melting cake is just entirely too delicious.

Free Time Freak Out

Have you ever been so bored that you just don't know what to do with yourself?

That has been me basically this whole, entire summer. 

I'm ashamed to admit that yesterday I honestly just laid in bed for 3 hours playing with my phone.

Three. Hours.

That's when I realized that this has gone absolutely too far. But I don't really know how to remedy!

I wake up, go through my routine, do all of my cleaning, write a little, read a little, manage my email, and THEN...!

And then it's only like 1 in the afternoon and I have absolutely to do. All of my friends are working until later and I'm not one who can just sit down and watch hours upon hours of television. (Unless I'm like sick and dying, like that time I had the flu and watched 2 seasons of Game of Thrones in one day.)

So, what do I do?

I nap.

I never used to nap. But ever since actually developing a sense of time management and getting my stuff done efficiently, I've had entirely too much time on my hands. I want to shop, but I don't really have the means to do that right now.

So, I've decided: anytime I feel the need to nap, I'm going to do something productive instead. 

Nap time? Nope. Time to work out.

Nap time? Nope. Time to organize the bedroom.

Nap time? Nope. Time to do absolutely anything BUT nap.

I start working at Mellow Mushroom today, so hopefully that will help get rid of some of my free time. But, if it doesn't, I have this plan in place. Now it's just time to see if I have the willpower to actually go through with it.

Prepare for Paradise: St. Maarten

17 Days!

image from Carnival website

Our final island on this cruise is St. Maarten!
I haven't been here in a long time (I think I was 11 last time we came) so I'm super excited!!

Here are a few fun things you can do in this tropical paradise!!

1. Snorkel
   Okay, I'm not going to lie: I am absolutely terrified of snorkeling. I tried it once with my dad when I was like 8 and the moment they mentioned jellyfish I was like, uh BYE. But now that I'm older and a little more sensible (just a little) it really seems like fun. I really think if I have time I'm going to give it another shot. Although, I'm still probably going to make my daddy go with me. I'm a wimp.
   
   
2. Stuff your face
   There is SUCH a great variety of food on this island. Want to eat the local fare? Go for it? Got a craving for some barbecue? You're set. Hungry for a hamburger? You'll be okay. In the mood for something a little more gourmet? Yup, they've got that, too. It's basically impossible to go hungry as a tourist on this island. There is just SO. MUCH. FOOD. There's also this fabulous shop that sells DELICIOUS Belgian chocolates. I don't think I have ever tasted anything so wonderful.
   
   
3. Dance
   Ever wanted to go to a calypso bar? Well, here you can! And while you're there, head on over to the dance floor to show off your moves! A word of warning: twerking is not an accepted form of dance here. (Although realistically it shouldn't be an accepted form of dance anywhere. But if you want to twerk, go for it.)
   
   
4. Shop
   Do I really even have to say it at this point? The shops here are right along the waterfront and are absolutely fabulous.

This is the final port on my cruise, so I'm definitely going to be trying to get the most out of it. Hopefully I'll have budgeted well at the other ports so I can actually enjoy myself appropriately! I can't wait!!

Furry Fever

I want a dog.

I mean, I desperately want a dog.

Yes, I have my adorable little Snickerdoodle,

but he's my parents dog and I don't really get to see him as much as I'd like.

Which is why I want need a dog. 

I've been browsing the websites of all of the local shelters (and by local, I mean basically every one in the state) and I have found some ADORABLE dogs!!

There are just two problems here:

1. I need a small dog that doesn't shed.
2. I have no money.

So, those are the dampers on my puppy plans right now. 

I also really want a puppy so I can train him/her how I want, but that's not like a necessity or anything. 

So, I'll just sit here in my apartment looking at all of the adorable dogs that I cannot have a dream of a day when I will be able to bring one home and call him my own!!!

How to Survive the Job Hunt (AKA Don't Be Like Me)

Maybe you're fresh out of college, like me. Or, maybe you're just looking for a summer job before you head back to school.

Either way, the job hunt can be pretty intimidating if you're hoping for something specific.

I know everyone says that you're not going to find your dream job right away, but that also does not mean that you have to settle for whatever job happens to land at your feet first. 

You don't want to be miserable at your job, because that makes going in even more difficult than usual.

That's the first rule:

1. Don't settle.
   Yeah, you don't want to be unemployed for a long time. But you also don't want to be stuck in a miserable job, working paycheck to paycheck, just because you didn't wait until something better came along. I've already turned down 3 job offers because I knew they weren't what I really wanted to do, but I almost considered accepting the most recent one just because I was sick of the job search. Wait for a job you'll be happy with. I promise that you (and I) will find it.
   
   
2. Search Actively.
   I'm sure you've heard it said a thousand times before: Searching for a job is like a full time job. And honestly, it is. You may not be applying for every single job that you spot online, but the time you spend searching can take up a lot of time. I'm pretty sure I'm at my computer for at least 6 hours a day searching and applying for jobs, and those are just the ones that I am qualified for and feel I would enjoy. It may be kind of disheartening to sit at your desk all day just clicking, "apply," but think of it this way: you're preparing yourself for your future job!
   
   
3. Personalize It.
   Okay, first of all, I don't care if an application doesn't require a cover letter. Write. One. Anyway. That shows initiative and it shows that you are truly interested in this position. Now, it's okay to have a cover letter that you use as a template for all of you applications, but these are not one size fits all. Every time you sit down to write a cover letter, you should be considering the job description and ensuring that you're including details that hint to your skills and how they match said description. For a while, I just changed out the position and company title and sent the same cover letter with every application. Not so surprisingly, it wasn't very good and I didn't hear back form most of those companies.
   
   
4. Don't get Discouraged
   The job hunt can be a trying time; believe me, I know. But don't let it get you down. Just because you've sent out 50 applications and haven't heard back from anyone doesn't mean you're a failure. Maybe they just haven't gotten to your application, or maybe it got lost in the chaos. Contact the companies and check up. Make sure they got your application and ask about how the application process goes; they'll appreciate your initiative and maybe even ask you in for an interview right then (trust me, it's happened). But even if they don't, just keep on keeping on. You'll get the best job for you when you get it!
   

So, while it may seem never-ending, the job hunt will eventually come to a close for everyone. Hopefully sooner than later, but whose to say what can happen and how it will happen? I know I'm not going to settle for a job that will not make me happy, and I'm sure you're the same. If money is an issue, you can always work a part-time job on the side while you continue your job hunt! I'm currently a hostess at Mellow Mushroom while I send in my applications and go on interviews! 

If you have any job search advice or even just a find story, let me know in the comments or an email! I'd love to hear from you!

Prepare for Paradise: St. Thomas

21 Days!

Okay, first of all: Sorry for the late post!!

We've been having some technical difficulties with our internet recently and I haven't been able to get anything done!

But now I'm back!

On with the paradise!!

image from Carnival website

The third island we'll be visiting is St. Thomas, one of the US Virgin Islands!!
I feel like we're constantly visiting this island on cruises, but I never run out of things to do!

1. Magen's Bay Beach
   Okay, first of all: Magen's Bay is absolutely beautiful. It is also, however, absolutely crowded. Don't let that deter you from visiting, though!! For a small fee you can hop on a bus and head to Magen's Bay where there are lounge chairs, fruity cocktails, and tons of activities! There are icebergs like the one in Grand Turk, in-water bouncy castles, and even jet skis! Of course, you can also go parasailing...if you're in to that.
   
2. Coki Beach
   If crowded, touristy beaches aren't your thing, Coki Beach is perfect for you. Hop in a taxi and head on over to this quaint little beach and you'll be able to relax and have fun! The sand is soft, the water is beautiful, and they offer snorkeling!
   
3. Coral World
   Love touristy attractions? Love cute sea animals? Coral World is the place for you!! It's basically a fancy aquarium, except the fish aren't in "captivity," so you see them in their natural habitat. And there are a ton of sea horses! Exciting! You can also pet turtles, sharks, and sea lions!
   
4. Explore
   Okay, disclaimer: I haven't actually done this one! But I have heard killer reviews from my friends and family. So, what is it, you ask? You take a sailboat and explore the secret coves around the island! How exciting is that? If you're up for adventure, definitely try this!! I'm definitely hoping to try it this year!
   
5. Shop
   Like I said, I'm probably going to say this about every. Single. Port. But at St. Thomas, it's a different type of experience. The shopping "center" is in the historical part of St. Thomas and is absolutely beautiful! There's also a great variety of shops for you to browse and, if you need a break, some nice spots for food!

The biggest thing about St. Thomas is to just enjoy it! I really can't wait to be back next month!!

Prepare for Paradise: San Juan

24 Days!

Only 24 more days until my Caribbean adventure!

Our second port will be the beautiful San Juan, Puerto Rico!

In my opinion, Puerto Rico is more of a place to do touristy things, rather than relax. I don't quite enjoy the beaches here as much, but the historical sites and the shopping are absolutely fab.

Here are my favorite things to do in San Juan!

1. Drink (like a fish)
   Would you like to know what beverage company currently calls Puerto Rico home? Bacardi! Yes, since being run out of their original home country of Cuba, they've put down roots in this lovely commonwealth. And do you know what that means? Free drinks. If you pay for a ferry ride ($1.50. I think you can spring it) you can head over to the Bacardi factory and distillery to enjoy a tour of the facilities! It's not as in depth as it used to be, apparently, but that's not a big deal. Why? Well, while you're waiting for your tour to start, you get to enjoy a variety of cocktails made with Bacardi products!! (You can also pay a few bucks if you want a blended beverage, like a mojito or daiquiri.) The Bacardi Factory is probably my favorite part of Puerto Rico. Last year I bought at $80 bottle of rum (but it came in a fancy box, had my name engraved on it, AND came with a nice bag!)
   
2. Explore
   San Juan is absolutely beautiful. I mean, it is breathe taking. As the carnival website puts it, "this is where the old world meets the new." There's no better way to say it. You can walk around shops while also experiencing so much history, it's ridiculous. If you're up for it, there are even some tours to take you around the city and explain important sites to you! Or, you can just wander around yourself! I definitely recommend you get on of the smoothie-type bevs they serve from carts on the street. (There's a special name for them that I can't remember...) They are absolutely delicious, plus they're perfect for refreshing yourself after some intense exploring!
   
3. Night Life
   If your ship is staying in San Juan for the night (or at least part of it!) I definitely suggest you experience the night life of the island. Almost every restaurant and bar offers a great atmosphere for just enjoying the night, so just go and have a great time with your friends! What happens in San Juan stays in San Juan, right? Just make sure you're back on your ship in time!
   
4. Shop! (Again!)
   Okay, I'm probably going to say this about every port. But, I mean, it's not every day you get the opportunity to shop in these adorable shops and buy your friends and family some fabulous, authentic souvenirs, right? Budget yourself right, and you can get your friends (and yourself!) something special from every island (and still have money left over for the ship stores!)

There's so much to do in San Juan, so if you ever get the chance to go, I'd definitely say come up with a plan beforehand!