I’ve spent the better part of my morning looking at homes in Conifer, Colorado (and Evergreen). It is a beautiful place, homes are reasonable, the commute to Denver isn’t horrible, etc. Best part – the houses are nestled into trees and many of the houses are on acres of land, which I require. Yesterday, I spent over an hour waiting and talking with the police about my neighbors that leave their dog out constantly to bark (a Rotweiler). I’ve written letters, my other neighbors have talked to them, I’ve contacted Animal Control, etc. Nothing….so I’m nearing the point of giving up. In 1 year we can buy a house – we can either stay here (if the dog situation gets under control) or move to the mountains. I’ve really wanted to move west (Oregon, California) to be near the water again, and while that is entirely possible with my job, things are falling into place here in Colorado – not just for me, but for the husband (finally). We have made tons of friends (close friends) here, there is big band news in the works that I can’t speak of yet, but that will put him right where he wants to be musically & connections for the FTLP website are getting stronger here. If we move we’d start alllll over. The thing about my job (human resources) is you get to be a pro in your state’s laws and moving to Oregon or California I’d be starting, knowledge-wise, from square one again. I could do it, but do I really want to? I’m making a lot of connections professionally here and I see a bright professional future if I stay in Colorado.

This past Friday I ran the social media for the big HR conference here. It was a success!!! Also, I was asked if I’d like to become the Social Media Director and run social media campaigns for the entire association. Duh, of course I want to do that! So…there ya go, another awesome opportunity that I will have, along with my day job.

Annnd I just got 4 tickets to Book of Mormon and 2 tickets to American Idiot. Yayyy Sunday!!!

Today I had permanent hair removal done via laser. Ouch! I told everyone I’m quitting my job and going into that field – 10 minutes, $100. Whoa! Hopefully it works and if it does I plan on doing a lot more (legs, bikini line, face). Let’s do this!

I’m so busy at work. I really don’t have time to think. I’m giving my first big training on Wednesday and I am REALLY nervous! Also, my company opened a business overseas and that makes us officially a international company. So cool! I’ve already volunteered to move/travel over there if need be.

I don’t feel like blogging anymore. I told the husband not to renew my domain. I think it’s up next month. I will go back to Blogspot if  need be.

Another year is gone…a year that I turned 30 and learned a lot about myself. What I learned loud and clear – I am my own worst enemy. Wowzers! I have the hardest job I’ve ever had and am daily challenged mentally and emotionally. I’ve learned I needed to have more confidence in myself and go with my gut. I have such an issue with doubting myself and my decisions, but in 10 months I’ve really conquered this and learned to go with my gut and the knowledge I have. Also, I never dealt well with conflict and confrontation. Well that nearly comes naturally after 10 months of dealing with clients in a customer service position (consultant). Whoa…I’m not going to please everyone, but I will try my hardest, and if that isn’t good enough…bring it. This was the hardest thing in my life in 2011 – learning to deal with conflict and hopefully resolve it.

Looking over 2011 I found some great pictures.

We started 2012 off in Salida, Colorado. I went there on Thursday and drove back today. We had a blast and the husband loved it. Mom’s new house is AMAZING and surrounded by beautiful mountains and tranquility. The drive back today was stunning. I’ve never quite seen anything like the mountains, valleys and mother nature like I saw today. I usually don’t get all “ohhhh, this amazingly beautiful” when I see nature, but today was just unreal. It’s good to be home this evening and have one more day to relax before I’m back at it. I did realize today, 1/1/12, marks the official start day of my raise – AWESOME!

I’m excited for 2012. 2011 was wonderful – it had it’s ups and downs, but there were definitely more ups than downs and I hope it stays that way.

And to read what I wrote about the end of 2010 and start of 2011 - http://www.myhatefulnotebook.com/?p=1658

What a lovely laid back Xmas today was. We had the day at our house since the parents are in the midst of moving. Present opening in the morning, laid around, did a nice lunch/dinner BBQ and watched South Park (of course). This evening has been all about movies – Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Zoolander & now Tropic Thunder.

My family didn’t hold back on gift giving this year. Ridiculous as usual. I love getting gifts, but I really love giving gifts way more. Johnny had a Descendents, The Clash, The Jam theme this year and was totally spoiled – rare records, Descendents watch, Descendents shirt, few items from Strummerville, Joe Strummer jacket, tattoo certificate, etc.

This is my favorite picture of the day!

We had a lot of fun and laughed a lot! That is what this day is about to me. No religion…just a nice day with family!

I just had a lovely bubble bath to the soundtrack of Moby (yeah, yeah..I know). My dad listened to Moby or AC/DC when I was in high school. He would put it on when I was falling asleep, as he didn’t like a quiet house. It has happy memories and makes me smile when it  comes on. What is even more awesome is my dad got me the Bose SoundDock II that I wanted for the bedroom. It sounds great and is perfect for bath time. Yay!

So….my gifts for this year were pretty amazing!!!

My step-dad got me these glittering shoes. I owe Coralene for this find on ModCloth.

The husband got me a very unexpected Tiffany 1837 interlocking circles necklace. IT IS BEAUTIFUL!

Parents got me this FABULOUS dress.

Parents got me Marc Jacobs – Lola. It smells amazing. I actually got this from the husband’s sis too, so I’m sending one back.

Husband got me a giant purse (that is perfect for a show camera bag). It is RAD and beautiful!

Parents & Husband got me my Frappe maker I’ve wanted!

Yawnnnnn. I’m exhausted. I got some other beautiful cuff bracelets, gift certificates, more perfume, etc. I am a spoiled girl. However, I equally spoiled my husband and parents this holiday. We shopped locally or independent for 90% of the gifts and even contributed a fair amount to Strummerville. Today was a good day and I’m very glad my parents were here to share it with us.

Goodnight!

I’m on the fence about the subject. I thought it was a great idea when I first heard about it a few years ago, but that was only for selfish reasons. When I got my first student loan 10 years ago I knew what I was getting into, that it had to be repaid and I still took out the max amount. Fast forward 8 years later I have my undergraduate degree and graduate degree and $92,000 in student loans (and growing). My student loans are all government loans, because if you are making under $100,000 a year you qualify for enough government loans to go to a good school (public and some private). When I accepted each loan I made a promise, a promise to repay, knowing right out of college I wouldn’t be making big bucks. It would come with time if I picked the right career path and was a good employee.

I’ve read all the “forgive student loan debt” stuff and originally I was on board. However, after a lot of thought that isn’t fair to me or people who did pay their student loans. I/we knew what we were getting into. Maybe I/we shouldn’t have taken out the maximum amounts and spent loan money on tattoos, designer purses, and materialistic junk. That is my fault! It is my responsibility not to take the easy way out and have my responsibilities “forgiven”. I do think student loan interest rates should be reduced. I do think student loans should be paid pre-tax out of my paycheck if I desired. I do not think student loans (private or government) should forgiven. I do think they should be income contingent, but the full amount should still have to be repaid. Just because I make enough money not to qualify for income contingent repayment, I don’t think it’s fair that I have to pay the full amount, but other people would get out of it.

I called myself a liberal the other day, and my mother scoffed at me and said “you are not a liberal”. I guess this is a prime example of why she doesn’t think I am. I don’t think people should get a “discount” or a “perk” for a contractual agreement they entered into. I plan on paying my full $92,000 plus thousands of dollars on top of that in interest. Why? I took out the money, knew what I was getting into, education was important to me and I wasted most of that money on non-necessities (most of my friends have done the same).

So buck up, figure out a budget, put them in forbearance and pay only interest if you have to for now, but pay what you owe and don’t take the easy way out. America is becoming a lazy, self-entitled, hellhole…do what you say you’re going to do people.

Steps off soapbox.

What an incredibly wonderful week! Wow! It started off with me staying my final stay at my parents house before they move to Salida. On Monday I made my drive up to Vail to meet my new client and do my thing. Wonderful people, wonderful drive, wonderful new client. Wednesday was spent driving hours upon hours to visit multiple clients and give them their holiday gifts with my coworker. I realized how fortunate I am to have some of the most amazing clients on the planet. Truly intelligent, creative and kind people. Thankful that I’ve lucked out with good one’s.

The best thing about this week was a telephone call I received on Monday from my boss. He said “Did you read the email I sent you?” My response, “NO”!! He told me to read it while he was on the phone, and all I could sit and say was “Really, really, really?” I was stunned. Something so unexpected and everything that I’ve worked for is starting to really pay off. So what was it? A massive raise with an additional 15% increase when I meet certain goals (mainly certifications that I want to do any way). How awesome is that? I mean I’ve gotten raises before but nothing like this, ever! I almost make what my incredibly talented father makes. I never thought that was possible, as I’ve relied on my dad so much until 2.5 years ago and all reliance stopped, as I decided I needed to grow up. Being my age and having my parents help me with things I should take care of is NOT okay. I’m on cloud 9 and truly thankful for all that has come my way. I find myself saying this week “I really can’t believe this is happening, I never fathomed making money like this.” I’ve always lived paycheck to paycheck before this job…never again.

I have had the busiest month ever, and it all came to an end today – my last appointment of the year!!!! Tomorrow will be working from bed…in my pjs…all day. It will be glorious!

FTLP also partnered with a local music event company and are going to be rolling out some amazing things for 2012. I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT LIFE! Damn it’s good! Sure we all have bad days, but those days are few and far between now (which is a good thing).

RIP Mr. Strummer – You are an inspiration!

I made my trek up to Fort Collins today to get my hair cut. Of course while waiting I found myself shopping and picked up two new OBEY duds. God damn OBEY is so very expensive. One OBEY jacket, one OBEY hoodie and a necklace – $243. Really?  I’m such a sucker for that line of clothing. It’s always so soft and I love the designs.

Jacket – OBEY Madison Avenue.

OBEY – Sinner hoodie

Thanks dad. and Merry XMAS to me.

First Xmas tree we’ve put up since 2005. We decided we’d use this tree one last time before we get a new tree – we are getting a white tree next. We want to do a black, white & pink tree next year. It will be lovely. So now we look festive at our house. We are doing Xmas at our house this year, since my parents are in the midst of moving.