image, quote source unknown
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
The Job
Last week I achieved a major adult milestone. I was offered my first full-time job. Benefits, vacation, sick leave, my own office--the whole shebang! As if that weren't enough, the remainder of my master's program is going to be paid for, which will save me over $25,000 in federal loans. This new reality is completely overwhelming. I feel incredibly blessed.
So what's my new position you ask? When I started grad school at DePaul University last fall, I began working as a programs assistant in the department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse. Starting next Monday I will begin fulfilling my new role as the second department assistant.
My previous position was a student-worker position which was only 25 hours a week with no benefits, vacation, tuition waiver etc. Essentially, this a major promotion. I'll continue to manage the department's website, online teaching evaluations, and graduate assistantship applications, but will take on more responsibilities associated with department curriculum, student advising, and event planning.
I had hoped and prayed for this job all summer as soon as my supervisor told me it was going to be available. My career goal is to work for the advancement department, alumni association, and/or public relations department at a university. This is my first real foot in the door. Knowing this job will make me completely financially self-reliant is a huge burden off my shoulders. I'm grateful to my family and friends who've supported me and prayed for my well being.
Now it's time to decide what color to paint my office and how I'm going to decorate it. I have my own office...how cool is that?! I'm a big kid now.
Monday, August 20, 2012
the best weekend of the summer
Friday night, I joined some friends to watch a movie in the park. Hugo was the selection for the evening. Beforehand, I knew little about the film except that it was directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese and had won several academy awards. The film is a visual masterpiece. I can only imagine how long it must have taken to produce. While it's not something I'll watch over and over it's definitely worth seeing.
Saturday, Irish and I enjoyed watching the annual Chicago Air & Water Show. It was so fun to see the Blue Angels! They are a Seattle Seafair tradition and a Fidler family favorite. After the show we enjoyed a delicious early dinner at the Grand Lux Cafe. Molten chocolate cake--that's all I have to say about that. We spent the remainder of the day hitting up wholesale accessory stores.
On Sunday, although I was late, I finally made it to church! Miracles never cease. It was wonderful to feel the spirit, partake of the sacrament, and make connections with people I know.
Here's to more great weekends!
hugo image / blue angels image
Thursday, August 16, 2012
a Jiffy muffin mix
I've always loved Jiffy muffin mixes. They're cheap, delicious, and easy to make. Plus, the packaging looks all cute and vintage. In college my roommates and I frequently bought them to make muffins on Sunday mornings. Oatmeal is by far the best flavor for breakfast but the corn muffins are perfect alongside a homemade bowl of chili.
Earlier this week I had some bananas that were going bad, but I didn't want to go through the process of making banana bread. Then I had the idea to liven up my regular Jiffy oatmeal muffin mix with the bananas and chocolate chips. They turned out great! I think next time I make chili I'll experiment with adding cheddar cheese and jalapenos to a corn muffin mix. Yum!
Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Jiffy Muffins
2 Jiffy oatmeal muffin mixes
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
2 sliced bananas
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Add all the ingredients into a medium size bowl. Mix the ingredients with a fork, smashing the bananas as you go. Cook at 400 degrees for 13-15 min. Makes 12 muffins.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Wednesday Wisdom: Kathi Goertzen
 |
| Photo by Mike Siegel/The Seattle Times, 2008 |
What I admire most about Kathi was her honesty--her willingness to openly share the reality of a very personal battle. Instead of retreating, Kathi stood out. She continued to fill her anchor chair at KOMO 4 News next to her longtime co-anchor and dear friend, Dan Lewis, until her body rendered her unable.
Many lack the strength and humility to expose their true selves to the world. Kathi was not among the many. She was exceptional in every way. I grew up watching her, Dan Lewis, and Steve Pool report the evening news. With the effervescent rise of technology and social media, I fear future generations will lack the same opportunity to trust and relate to their local journalists the same way I did.
Victoria Martinsen, a lifelong friend of Kathi and the Goertzen family, told Kathi before she passed: "You've done a wonderful job with your life." I don't think any of us can hope for better praise than that.
Seattle Time's article - Longtime TV anchorwoman Kathi Goertzen dies after battle with tumors
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The Liebster Award!
Last Thursday I found the sweetest comment on my blog post. Darling Ali W. told me that not only did she love my little blog but that I'd won the Liebster Award! Say what?!
The Liebster Award
is for blogs that have 200 followers or less. The
word "Liebster" is German for kindest, nicest, dearest,
beloved, lovely, valued, cute, pleasant, endearing and welcome. It's a great opportunity to meet other bloggers and gain more followers. Such a great idea, right?
The rules for
accepting the award are as follows:
1. Each person must post 11 things
about themselves.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has
set for you.
3. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag with the
award.
3. Choose 11 bloggers (with less then
200 followers) and tag them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them
about the award (social networks accepted).
5. If you have not done so already,
follow the tagger and visit at least three nominees. Spread the love! And remember, no tag backs!
One - 11 random things about me
1. As a kid I never liked summer. I know, weird right? I'm still not a big fan.
2. Daphne Du Maurier is my favorite author.
3. Utah State University, my alma matter, is very close to my heart.
4. I'm currently interning at The Everygirl.
5. My name is Clarissa and I'm a Pinterestaholic.
6. Baseball is my favorite sport. Go Mariners! Go Cubs!
7. I almost had to repeat kindergarten. My teacher thought I wasn't mature because sometimes I talked baby talk. Pretty sure I graduated high school and college at the top of my class.
8. I'm constantly torn between bold, bright colors or subdued hues when it comes to home decor.
9. My high school bestie and I have been friends for 10+ years!
10. I love reading The New York Times.
11. My nicknames include: Riss, Rissy, Rissana, Cha-Cha Racehorse, and Girlie.
Two - my answers to Ali's questions
1. Your favorite
place to go in the world is: Logan, UT
2. Something weird
about you that most people don’t know: I have a strange fascination with ducks.
3. Something you
collected when you were little: Books. That's probably a weird thing to collect but I was a prolific reader growing up. I still love to read and love buying books.
4. If you could visit
anywhere in the world, you would go to: Boston, England, and Italy.
5. Your perfect
day would include: a meal at Benihana's, camping with my family and friends, and shopping
6. The most
embarrassing moment of your life: Being told at a youth dance that I was flashing everyone.
7. Cooking or
baking: Baking! I love, love, love to bake. Cooking just isn't as fun.
8. Biggest pet
peeve: People who lie.
9. Something you
LOVED as a kid: Pioneers. I dressed up and pretended to trek across the plains (my backyard). I also read endlessly about the Oregon Trail, Mormon pioneers, Abraham Lincoln etc.
10. Your favorite
item of clothing at the moment: My blue and white striped Gap dress I scored for $12! It's super cute and super comfortable.
11. What you always
do before you go to sleep: Brush my teeth and take my medicine. Super exciting.
Three - Q/A for the winners
1. First childhood memory:
2. Favorite book:
3. Favorite chick-flick:
4. What do you do to relax?
5. One of the items on your bucket list:
6. Salty or sweet:
7. Dream vacation:
8. Who would play you in a movie?
9. What is one of your biggest fears?
10. Favorite beauty product:
11. Best piece of advice you've ever received:
Four - the award winners (you should start following their blogs and mine too please!)
Happy Tuesday!
Polka Dot Persuasion
This fall it's all about polka dots! J.Crew's Fall/Winter 2012 Lookbook set the tone and rightly so. Kate Spade has also unveiled it's fair share of polka dot inspired pieces, but like J.Crew, they fall in the category of unattainable when it comes to my grad school student budget. Luckily, other more affordable retailers are following suit. Hooray!
I've already scooped up a boatneck sweater and tank from Old Navy, top from Forever 21, and a dress from Land's End Canvas that looks strikingly similar to the J.Crew dress I've included above. It was a major summer sale steal at only $27 (originally $130)!
Obviously the collection above are my dream purchases. Below you'll find more affordable options that I'm currently coveting or have already purchased. Have you embraced the polka dot persuasion?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)