Made Earrings

Making my own jewellery has been on my list of things to do, so when I stumbled upon a store that would let me do it; I could not resist. Thus I stopped in and started picking out my beads and gem stones, with a wonderful necklace in mind that I lost the earrings to a while back. Picking the beads was the hardest part! Yet before I knew it I had my choices and were laying them out in a simple but pretty pattern. Then it was easy, just string them up and load them to an eye hook. Boom I had earrings for my necklace and completed another goal on my list. So loving this trip in New Zealand! Pictures of the earrings will come probably in 2013, sorry.

Zorbing!

Zorbing was not on my list of things to do but should have been. I saw a video of it years ago and thought wow that looks fun. Naturally when I stumbled upon it, I had to try it and lucky for me I got the original company!

  

Naturally you have options on the course, I choose to go straight down and windy. They stamp you so the rest of the crew can easily tell what you want to do. Then you change into your suit and get ready.

The "Zorb" is a giant bubble within a bubble, honestly looks a bit like a hampster ball except for humans. You are of course sealed in but there hole is for easy entry and exit by diving in and sliding out. 

Naturally you have to drive the giant bubble up the hill so you can roll down it. They encourage you to try to run with the ball as long as you can; really you cannot, so don't bother to try. Once the ball is going, you are flying.

 Then I was driven up for the next ride, which is suppose to be more crazy. The first one was a blast, so I am excited for the second.

 Paused for a picture with the amazing view before I dived into the bubble for my second ride.

 Unlike the first course which was straight down, this one is windy with curves and really throws you around. Luckily you are in a big cushy bubble that is filled with a bit of water and it simulates a water slide.

Check out the video below. It was serious fun, hard to keep a hold of the camera or even the direction you are flying in.

If you are ever in New Zealand, Rotorua specifically this is makes for a great event, and fun day trip. It is the only place in the world that has the Zorb.

SCUBA certified completed!

 

So I decided to give SCUBA diving another try... I had tried once before when I just started college at U.Oregon. At 18 years old, in the middle between midterms, papers and finals coming up... I just had to much stress and did not complete my open water test. Plus my school instructor did not have us wear a hood, boots or gloves during the winter when we did the open water in Washington. Crazy no? It was freezing and the visibility was horrible.

 

Ten years later, I regret this and decide to go for it again, especially since I have planned an incredible trip to New Zealand and Australia. Thus I signed up for a weekend class with pool sessions and planned the open water test around my friends wedding. Getting to Monterey was no easy feat, nor was getting to the wet suit! Once there I had a great teacher from Bamboo Reef. 

 

For the record, I think these suits are like penguin suits and you can barely move. It is rather awkward. 

 

Or so I thought before I tried to put on all the gear! OMG this is so heavy and I still have to walk?! 

 

Walk or more waddle like a penguin we did down the stairs and to the beach. We then had to time our beach entry because the ocean was so rough and rocky.

 

Getting into the water is hard, and its a weird feeling of starting to have the weight relieved and then feeling it all. Plus the waves crashing into you, almost knocking you over. It was this part that would the first time make me feel a bit panicky as I can barely move.

Once you are well in the water, you can put your fins on which helps you stay afloat easier. The BC when inflated is like your best friend since it keeps you out of the water. I found I was OK when I was out of the water or fully emerged, it was the in between moments that wigged me.

We went to Breakwater and the site was built for diving, which Monterey has a lot if you are looking for a fun day trip.

CPR can save a life

CPR is something everyone should know, the chances are if you need to do it you will know the person. That means it is your friend or family member, someone you probably will want to keep with you.
The class was long and very repetitive to ensure they drill the skills into you. The first part is check out the scene and ensure its safe.. then you check to make sure they're okay, call out and shake them. basically you want to make sure you're not about to perform CPR on a sleeping person.

Once your sure that this person is unconscious and not breathing, then you're able to assume that consent is given. Proceed to instruct one specific person to call 911 and report back to you. While they do that begin to perform CPR which is basically 30 hard chest compresses to the beat of "Staying Alive" or "Another One Bites the Dust" no joke.

That is the sum of things; now for some interesting pictures of the dummies, see below.

You make your own lungs with bags then put their face on! Seriously freaky and funny at the same time. Don't worry everything is sanitized, it is Red Cross after all. 

Yes, we did infant training too! 

NYE 2012/13 in Sydney

 

I have been planning my trip to New Zealand and Australia, decided that NYE should be in Sydney. That was the easy part! Afterwards I have tried to figure out what to do and looks like it I am flying solo. Which put another twist, how do I want to spend NYE alone? I will be hanging with my good friend Ms.V the days before and most likely not making great friends in the Hostel. Leaving to wonder, what to do?

Not wanting to be alone at least with out good tunes I started to look for a party and feel like I am doing it in the blind. I keep researching and checking out places to go, parties to see... Sydney has so much going on! Their are like 6 firework shows the most prominent being over Darling Harbor and a ton of boats all light up; reminding me of Burning Man's Playa! I did not want to be stuck on a boat, in case I did not like or find anyone to be friends with. Knowing I would be on my own, I have been researching and cannot seem to make up my mind. Thus blogging to help work through the processes.

1. Jackson on the George: Aimed to be an imitation Full Moon Party from Thailand, the VIP ticket includes pass-out to the Circular Quay Fireworks - which seems like one of the best viewing spots. The VIP also included open bar with beer, wine or soda... but I am good with the wine and some light snacks from 6-8pm! The music is pretty mix and the venue is well known holds 1000 people with 4 floors.

2. Harbour Party: On The harbor and will have great views of the main firework show, plus unlimited carnival rides. There is a bar but the VIP only gets you a comp drink or two not open bar and VIP tickets are pretty pricey $250 + but come with exclusive waterfront viewing. I am hesitant about this, not sure if carnival rides and drinking is a great idea or if I want that.

3. Shore Thing: On Bondi Beach, a huge party.. probably one of the most famous for Sydney. They have great major name artists every year and this year is no different. With The Chemical Brothers, Knife Party and Fredde Le Grande as the main draw. It seems massive. They have of course their own firework show and it is a party on a beach, which really is a Full Moon Party. This would be higher on the list if it were not so expensive and seeming so crowded.

4.  Retro Party: A "Fire and Ice" themed, boast of a good firework viewing of Darling Harbour and the city - note it is similar to #5. The VIP has access to the roof top, snacks, open bar with beer, vodka and soda till midnight. This could be a free party but when is free there is no roof top access or firework view. Note the free aspect could make it kind of crappy and extremely crowded.

5. Hedkandi Party: Has a few levels of tickets, boast of over 14 artist on two levels and harbourside to see the fireworks. It is "White Party" theme which could be fun. Tries to be an oasis and has an outside area. The VIP packages vary with a side area, snacks and access to the bar.

I am starting to lean towards #1 but it is very hard for me to choose... so many good options! Any opinions? I would love to hear them and yes I do now have to worry about a budget (GRR!).

Starting Scuba!

Ever wanted to explore the sea? Well I have and the best way to do that is through scuba diving, since snorkeling is really just looking down from the surface. This is how scuba diving ended up on my bucket list. It just had to be one of things I learned to do in my life. Thus I started to hunt for scuba schools to teach me how to dive. I know this will be a huge benefit when I decide to travel, specially for tropical places.

After careful research, I decided upon Bamboo Reef. It has great Yelp reviews and is very convenient for me to get to... win - win! I signed up for an intense weekend class and am going for it. The class is on December 8th and 9th. Extremely excited and have all the course work materials to go over before! I am going to be busy.

Learning CPR & First Aid

Do you know CPR? What about First Aid? Knowing this stuff can help save a life... could even be someone you know and love. Learning how to save someones life is important, heck everyone should know how to do the basics. I am not talking about the extremes or becoming an EMT, nurse or doctor, but anyone can be a hero via the basics. This is why I wanted to learn it... I want to be able to help someone if they need it.

Sadly, I have meant to do this for the past two years and just got busy or some other silly excuse. Well no more! Biting the bullet I signed up for a combo class of CPR and First Aid on December 6th and 7th with the American Red Cross, a very reputable nonprofit that reaches across the nation. So do you want to be a hero? Then learn to be able to save a life and take a CPR and First Aid class, its a bit of your time and can make all the difference.

Live right for all your life

No one likes to budget, or put money aside not to be used right now. Unless it is for a specific reason and the sooner it arrives the better, right?

Yet when it comes to your retirement, that is just what you have to do. If you don't put money aside then you are screwing up your retired years and life; this is supposed to be when you get to kick back and enjoy. I know I have some big plans for my future, which means I am going to need money. Thus should start saving for it sooner than later. So then why don't we all procrastinate saving for it? Too much we want to use the money on right now. Or maybe we cannot face up the fact that one day we might get old.

I know better. I try to live life like I will die tomorrow and plan to live to 100. Either way, I am getting back on the horse and aim to max out my companies 401k match program. I figured this would be a good place to start. Don't worry, I remember to diversify my portfolio. Though doing this part of my future planning has gotten me thinking about budgeting better. I think it is going to be a real priority in 2013.

Above the clouds in a Balloon

 I try to live life by the bull horns so to speak, and often just want to look out at the world. That is hard to do when you are walking on it. I fly, but it is hard to see when you are looking out at a small window. This is how my dream of flying in a hot air was born.

 

Watching the balloons fill up was actually kinda cool, it was interesting to find out that Balloons Above The Valley ran some of the largest balloons in the nation. They looked so nice next to each other as they fill up.

 Then it was our balloon "Freedom's" turn, and in moments it was up right. Then the organizers are hustling us into the balloon and with in the minute we are being lifted slowly.

Once in the air, it hardly felt like we were moving. You were just suddenly aware of the difference in height and spent most of the time looking around every which way. The views are amazing, it is a completely different view of Napa Valley.

  

Lucky for me, my hunny has a great eye and took some incredible pictures, all of which are included in here. We did manage to get someone in the balloon to take a picture of us. Then it was back to the views!

 Our company was not the only one who was out there, there was a bit of traffic. Seeing balloons fly around us was majestically. The whole ride puts the world and yourself in perspective. More often than not, it was just serene.

Other than when the flame was going on, the balloon ride was really quiet. There was no noise or pressure, it was not even cold for being 7AM! Yet before anyone was ready, our pilot Scott was looking for a place to land.

Then, sadly we are on the ground and the balloon is being deflated. Which is more fun to watch than when it was inflated, since we were closer. I liked seeing the silk move and fold in upon itself. After, we were escorted back to the hotel where we got to enjoy a champagne brunch!

Stop using Hotels

Do you love to travel? Hopefully so. For years I have gone to hotels, because that is what you do when you travel right? Either that or hostels and/or friends houses. The problem with hotels is that any decent hotel is pretty darn expensive. What are you paying for really?

A room, quiet bed, shower and place to store your stuff; maybe TV and internet. Then to make maters worse all hotel rooms look pretty much the same. You can go pretty cheap and it still will cost $80. If you want something better, in a central location that is also nice and a room that is well kept, clean and a decent atmosphere. Then you are looking at well over at $100, closer to $150. Even at $150 the room is still very standard, yes it is Double Tree or so but come on! Where is the personality, the charm or individuality? No where! If you want that, or real perks like hot tub, deep tub, kitchenette... then get ready to pay more.

Or you can try to hunt and scour deal sights. Get ready to compromise on something, and if you go to Priceline... it is seeing what you are going to get ahead of time. Already starting off wrong, I have to pay in advance blindly? Oh GOD.

Not since I found VRBO.com that is Vacation Rental By Owner. It is a great site that has locations anywhere in the world you want to go to. The people on this site are real live people and they are renting out their vacation homes or guest homes. I am not throwing money to a corporation but helping actual individuals. Even better is the Return On Investment. You heard me, the ROI.  For $175 a night, the price of a semi decent but standard looking room in a chain hotel... I got our own private place. We had the guest house of an acre estate in Santa Barbara. A private deck, a nice kitchen, living room area, tons of light, stain glass window and a killer bedroom. With a private hot tub and the grounds to walk around, we were able to pick out own breakfast from the orange and apple trees. Plus the location was central! It was individual, quite and relaxed.

Why would we choose a hotel? I wouldn't anymore, and neither should you. Get more for your money.

Life just settling down..

I am sorry about being absent, life has being a roller coaster. I moved into my boyfriend's place in Hayward on March 1st. Thus one can imagine my life has been all about packing and unpacking, which is actually still a big part of my life. The move has been a big change for me and the question of if I need to buy a car or not.

Meanwhile balancing all this, I have been job hunting like a nut and working part time. An interesting balancing act. It was after this move that things started to fall in place and jobs appearing. Naturally this meant that I tried to buckle down trying to apply more and go out less. Which worked!

I had a good luck string and a series of interviews and landed a job. I just started it in April! How exciting is that? So all in one fell swoop, I am out of the city (hard to believe huh?) and starting a new job. The job is in SF which is perfect! I get both world and NO CAR! At least not right away if I am taking BART. My mentality 2012 is my year! I am making this list happen.

Free money

Today has been a bit OMG day and was completely unexpected. So what happened? I got about $1,600 in the mail today!!! How? Why? What? Are your questions right? Well, it has to do with a class action lawsuit claim form I received and decided to fill out. You know it looks a bit off. You try to read about it, but get confused as to how you are involved.

Yet this letter is saying you are and asking if you want to participate, if so send it in by xyz date. Now I have seen these and let them go by not understanding. The next time, I filled it out. Why not? Let me tell you, do it too! If someone got mad enough or caught on to a company being shady, and as they researched they found you was affected too. All you have to do is fill it out and send it on time, then forget about it. Which I did, until today when I got not one but TWO settlement checks. One for just under $200 and the other for just over $1,400!!!

I was floored, I thought it be $5 bucks to maybe $50 and I'd be lucky with $200. I never in a million years expected over a $1,000. So I am paying off the rest of my credit card, which feels great! I still just just under a grand left. What to do! Part of me wants to invest it in upcoming companies that are going public the other part wants to just put it towards my new car to buy. Yet technically I could invest and self half of it when I was ready to buy the car... Hmm What to do?

Convertible

Last weekend I was able to test drive cars, a promotion from the car show. It was kinda cool getting to ride in different vehicles... even better was the convertible. It does not really count but it kinds does. At least a semi check of my list as I did drive one. Yet I hope to do it rock star style with my girl Ms. J.

25 things to do in 2012

Every year seems to fly by faster than last, which means a busy life right? Sadly there are things on my list that have never been crossed off, which means they are first on the list for this year.

1. Learn Photoshop - It will help professionally.
2. 1st AID CPR course - To help save someones life maybe.
3. My retirement plan -Something for when I am old an unwilling to work.
4. Create a scrapbook memory album - To remember my life.
5. Bungee jumping seems lame after skydiving > Learn to drive stick - To help my hun if he ever tired or sick.
6. Learn how to sew - To make small modifications and save money.
7. Expert the Wii Fit - I own it and should use it, right?
8. Swing - It is fun and burns up energy.
9. Opaque dinning - Why not try it?
10. Fly kites for real - Enjoying a simple childhood moment.
11. Play pool well - A game to enjoy for the rest of my life.
12. River rafting - For an exhilarating thrill.
13. Hot air balloon - To enjoy the sights from above with drinks, no loud engines or wind rushing by my ears.
14. Fire dance - A beautiful art form mixed with fire.
15. Jet ski - Seems like fun.
16. Drive a convertible - Always wanted to, hopefully easier with my best friend owning one.
17. Write a kid's book - Seems like an easy way to make an impact.
18. Cliff diving - I am a risk taker and well why not!
19. Make my own jewelry - It would be great to wear something I made.
20. Make sushi - Because I like it and want to eat it more frequently.
21. Find my passion - Entering the work force and needing my direction.
22. Scuba - To explore the underworld
23. Great beerier reef - One of the greatest dives in the world
24. New Zealand - To visit friends and explore.
25. Australia - To visit all the continents before I am 30.

It is an intense list, always is but with dedication and planning I can do it. Making time and just doing it. There is a lot that while happen in this coming year and I am excited for it. Some of the every day changes I would like to make are to:

1. Be healthier - with what I eat and making working out a priority.
2. Be proactive - in my job search, networking and living my life.
3. Seek balance - in my work/personal life, health, emotional and mental well being.
4. Organize - my life, my house, keeping a schedule planner.

This year is starting well, my school the University of Oregon won the Rose Bowl for the first time in 95 years... like the Duck I won't quit either. Let rock this year, so do you have plans?

2011 Checked

 

In 2011, I have been very busy with school and falling in love but I have kept trying to work on goals. This is not just some random bucket list, it is important to me. I do not feel that I was as successful this year as last.

Though, I did cross things off my list. That is always a good feeling. Sadly there have been things on my list that have stayed on it twice. Whereas some choices on my list of 100 things to do need to be re-evaluated.

This year, I got:

1. Skydiving  - Because I a crazy enough to do it... though it does make bungee seem weak now.

2. Gardening - I managed to be successful this year. I am excited for next year.
3. Visit a Renaissance fair - to go back in time and enjoy a bit of cheesiness.

4. Yoga - trying to find a balance of my mind, body and soul. I have found this is my favorite pose.

4. Send a message in a bottle - because sometimes you just have to let things go.

5.  My Masters of Science in Marketing & 6. Public Relations Graduate Certificate - A great party for a lot of hard work. A picture with my parents at the party.

7. Dance in the pouring rain - Why not? If you're already soaked... why let it ruin your day? DANCE
8. Fire a gun - Because I have never held a real one before.