This was supposed to happen a few days ago, but life got in the way. So here we are and we finally have a Census2010 Giveaway winner! Random.org helped me out and Ashley from http://thebeautifuldetails.blogspot.com/ will be recieving a fantastic aluminum watter bottle sporting the Census logo within 3-5 business days.
Meaning the post office is on my list of places to go this weekend. I have a Christmas present or two to send towards the West coast. My deadline is May, so in my mind, we are way ahead of schedule.
In other news, I am now the co-chair of the Complete Count Committee (the group supplying all the wonderful census promo items and getting the word out to Olmsted County) and I have no idea what that means for any new responsibilities, but I will keep you posted. And since they loaded me up with even more goodies, I picked a second winner and Katherine will also be getting a prize very soon!
My windshield wipers are now working (I called a man. He just popped them right on. I'm done trying to do car things by myself. Til next time.)
And for the first time in eleven days, I am not working either job tomorrow. Granted, I have multiple assignments to turn in, but I'm pumped for a day off. I have friends coming down from the cities and I plan on relaxing and catching a film at the Frozen River Film Festival. Rumor has it there is a feature on Human Trafficking on Saturday, so expect some new info or ways to get invovled fighting slavery next week.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
*None listed
I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to blog this week. I've wanted to write, to tell you what's going on with my life, but the truth is, I didn't have many good things to say. Great things are going on but I'm exhausted. Long days at the internship with two hours of commuting, three hours of seminar and another job on the side for weekends is beginning to be too much. I'm pretty sure, after an emotional Friday afternoon, that I'm going to cut back on hours at the only job that provides a paycheck. I need to keep my sanity; I can live off ramen for one semester.
But this blog isn't for me to complain about being busy. That's why I didn't write all week. What's been on my mind (still!) is the job market. I sent my application in to a job listing located in Portland last week. Portland is my ideal destination. The West Coast is pretty much the only direction I would even consider, and I can't afford San Francisco and I require a little more sunshine than Seattle would send my way. Portland is beautiful, close to the ocean, close enough to Seattle, oh-so-green, with mountains. And lots of social activism.
Something you may not know about activism is that it is not listed as a job category on any job listing search engine I have found. Neither is social justice. Social work can be close but that's generally casework or something I'm equally uninterested in. Community health is a little closer but not quite right. My best bet has been looking at specific organizations I love like http://www.laborrights.org/, http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/, http://www.nurfc.org/, and http://www.change.org/. But for some reason the positions that excite me the most are consistently all the unpaid internships.
Therefore I am now obviously trying to work out a plan as to how one can live off of unpaid internships without the [9to5] + 2 +(school+another job) - social life = unhappy Sarah. I would love to hear your ideas.
But this blog isn't for me to complain about being busy. That's why I didn't write all week. What's been on my mind (still!) is the job market. I sent my application in to a job listing located in Portland last week. Portland is my ideal destination. The West Coast is pretty much the only direction I would even consider, and I can't afford San Francisco and I require a little more sunshine than Seattle would send my way. Portland is beautiful, close to the ocean, close enough to Seattle, oh-so-green, with mountains. And lots of social activism.
Something you may not know about activism is that it is not listed as a job category on any job listing search engine I have found. Neither is social justice. Social work can be close but that's generally casework or something I'm equally uninterested in. Community health is a little closer but not quite right. My best bet has been looking at specific organizations I love like http://www.laborrights.org/, http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/, http://www.nurfc.org/, and http://www.change.org/. But for some reason the positions that excite me the most are consistently all the unpaid internships.
Therefore I am now obviously trying to work out a plan as to how one can live off of unpaid internships without the [9to5] + 2 +(school+another job) - social life = unhappy Sarah. I would love to hear your ideas.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Giveaway!
My sister Cindy suggested a giveaway for some sweet Census 2010 promo items after last week's blog about the meeting. I'm usually one of those people who does the exact opposite of what people suggest, but it sounded like a good idea. Who doesn't like free stuff? So may I introduce:
Census Giveaway 2010
Since attending the committee promotions meeting and realizing the importance of the US Census this spring, I have decided to not only pass along the info to you, but to share some goods! The giveaway is for an aluminum water bottle with the Census logo, and I'll throw in some smaller promo items too.
Here are my simple rules:
2. Tweet about the Census! Be sure to include @sarahooms for your entry. Or if you're not the tweeting type, comment here and let me know you told two people about the Census and why you think it's important.
I'll give it a week or so and then use random.org to choose my winner. Then I'll collect your address and send you the goods! Now go spread the word!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
I'm no mechanic
I hate auto stores. I don't like the way they smell, I don't believe they sell anything of interest, and I know mechanics/salesmen can immediately peg me as the girl who knows nothing about cars. I will now withhold my diatribe about sexists because, in this case, I am the stereotypical female. I believe this is why, when bringing my car in for repairs, I hear ridiculous price quotes like $300 to fix a car window. Not that I'm bitter, but you can read about that here.
I bring this up because my windshield wiper was broken when I turned my car on last Sunday. Not a big deal, I know it's inexpensive and easy to fix, but the rubber blade tapped my windshield the entire ride from the cities to Winona. Annoying. I ignored it for the week because the weather was fine and I didn't care that much but decided to tackle the project myself this weekend.
My first step was finding a (male) friend willing to help if the going got rough. Check.
Second step: figure out what type of blades you need. Said male friend suggested the car manual.
You guys. Car manuals are ridiculous. Have you ever read yours? There is just a wealth of knowledge to be found. Including, but not limited to (and i quote:)
"Avoid running out of fuel"
"Horn: press the steering wheel pad. The horn can be operated when the ignition is off."
And I thought I knew nothing about cars. There's also great stuff about not locking children in the trunk on hot days.
Although the manual offered great advice about all sorts of car-related issues, there was nothing as to what specific wiper blades one should buy for their little black ford focus. It took me two days to make myself go to Fleet Farm. Fleet Farm is kinda up there with auto stores and Menards, and I don't like it. It took me about 12 minutes to stare at all the wipers which looked exactly the same (is that like men saying all black shoes look the same? I will never know.) and not finding my exact car in the handy dandy manual attached to the counter. So I found the closest thing, some other kind of Ford Focus, and then I found what seemed to be matching blades. I left as fast as I could. Being distracted and uninterested in my purchase, I didn't pay much attention when the wiper blades rang up at about half the price they should be. Not one to argue a good deal, I paid the quoted price and left the store before realizing the ammount my reciept said I paid was nearly twice what I actually forked over. I'm slightly confused why the cashier told me $5.76 when clearly the blades cost $10.99 and I do feel a little bad for not going back in to actually pay the correct price. But not bad enough to go back into an auto-like store. For wiper blades of all things.
Anyway, we're on to step four now. I got home and looked at my windshield. I even lifted up the blades. I don't get it. I fidgeted with the stupid thing for about 42 seconds, threw the new blades back in the car and went inside. I know I've put one back on once, but I don't remember how or when or why.
A few hours later, after two male friends offered to help me later tonight, I am determined to do this thing on my own. It's simple. I go back out to my car. Lift blades. I even manage to get one blade off. There are now three pieces to deal with and the one that's supposed to attach my car's blade to the new one makes no sense to me. It doesn't fit with the others. I don't get it. I was out there for about ten minutes, looking like an idiot in my driveway staring at my windshield and trying to fit little pieces together.
I have finally decided that I either broke something or I bought the wrong blades. It's ridiculous. I'm begrudgingly going to get said male friends to look at the stupid thing tonight, and then probably end up back at Fleet Farm paying some odd price for more windshield wiper blades. My car currently has one broken blade infront of the passenger seat, and no blade at all infront of the drivers'.
This is why I stick to buying shoes.
I bring this up because my windshield wiper was broken when I turned my car on last Sunday. Not a big deal, I know it's inexpensive and easy to fix, but the rubber blade tapped my windshield the entire ride from the cities to Winona. Annoying. I ignored it for the week because the weather was fine and I didn't care that much but decided to tackle the project myself this weekend.
My first step was finding a (male) friend willing to help if the going got rough. Check.
Second step: figure out what type of blades you need. Said male friend suggested the car manual.
You guys. Car manuals are ridiculous. Have you ever read yours? There is just a wealth of knowledge to be found. Including, but not limited to (and i quote:)
"Avoid running out of fuel"
"Horn: press the steering wheel pad. The horn can be operated when the ignition is off."
And I thought I knew nothing about cars. There's also great stuff about not locking children in the trunk on hot days.
Although the manual offered great advice about all sorts of car-related issues, there was nothing as to what specific wiper blades one should buy for their little black ford focus. It took me two days to make myself go to Fleet Farm. Fleet Farm is kinda up there with auto stores and Menards, and I don't like it. It took me about 12 minutes to stare at all the wipers which looked exactly the same (is that like men saying all black shoes look the same? I will never know.) and not finding my exact car in the handy dandy manual attached to the counter. So I found the closest thing, some other kind of Ford Focus, and then I found what seemed to be matching blades. I left as fast as I could. Being distracted and uninterested in my purchase, I didn't pay much attention when the wiper blades rang up at about half the price they should be. Not one to argue a good deal, I paid the quoted price and left the store before realizing the ammount my reciept said I paid was nearly twice what I actually forked over. I'm slightly confused why the cashier told me $5.76 when clearly the blades cost $10.99 and I do feel a little bad for not going back in to actually pay the correct price. But not bad enough to go back into an auto-like store. For wiper blades of all things.
Anyway, we're on to step four now. I got home and looked at my windshield. I even lifted up the blades. I don't get it. I fidgeted with the stupid thing for about 42 seconds, threw the new blades back in the car and went inside. I know I've put one back on once, but I don't remember how or when or why.
A few hours later, after two male friends offered to help me later tonight, I am determined to do this thing on my own. It's simple. I go back out to my car. Lift blades. I even manage to get one blade off. There are now three pieces to deal with and the one that's supposed to attach my car's blade to the new one makes no sense to me. It doesn't fit with the others. I don't get it. I was out there for about ten minutes, looking like an idiot in my driveway staring at my windshield and trying to fit little pieces together.
I have finally decided that I either broke something or I bought the wrong blades. It's ridiculous. I'm begrudgingly going to get said male friends to look at the stupid thing tonight, and then probably end up back at Fleet Farm paying some odd price for more windshield wiper blades. My car currently has one broken blade infront of the passenger seat, and no blade at all infront of the drivers'.
This is why I stick to buying shoes.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
"It's In Our Hands"
People watching is one of my favorite activites. Some of my favorite places to people watch include, but are not limited to, airports, coffee shops, city parks and public transit. I know I share the joy of inconspicuously creeping on others with quite a few individuals. We're curious beings and we enjoy seeing what others are up to, how they react to those around them, and hearing the crazy things they say.
But have you ever considered people counting? I have never cared about people counting, though I believe people count.
The 2010 Census is this year. Half my readers just got bored and left the blog. But hear me out. I wound up at the 2010 Census committee meeting this week and learned quite a few interesting facts. More importantly, I learned why we take a census and why it's important. I also wound up with a rather large bag packed with promo items (like luggage tags, water bottles, a free tshirt, pens, notepads, flashlights, etc) and flyers. I left with feeling of responsibility to spread the word about the census.
Some quick facts every should know:
Census day is April 1, and you should recieve a form in the mail mid-March.
Ten questions, takes ten minutes, every ten years.
Census information can't even be accessed by the FBI - everything is confidential to the nth degree.
Information from the census affects not only things like community funding, parks, school districts, numbers of emergency workers, public transportation, and better roads - it also impacts the political future of our country. Unless Minnesota counts 4000 additional persons since the last census, we will lose a seat in the House of Representatives. We probably shouldn't let that happen.
Immigrants and students are big target populations because they may not know the importance of filling out the survey, often live in transitional housing, or do not trust governmental workers or systems. Assure those from other countries that immigration status will not be counted, registered, or available to any questioning parties. We just need to know how many people reside in our state.
I think the census is important, and I hope you do, too. It's our future and we should have a say. To find out more, check out http://www.2010census.gov/, or stop by my place to get a neon luggage tag or a sweet water bottle or something.
But have you ever considered people counting? I have never cared about people counting, though I believe people count.
The 2010 Census is this year. Half my readers just got bored and left the blog. But hear me out. I wound up at the 2010 Census committee meeting this week and learned quite a few interesting facts. More importantly, I learned why we take a census and why it's important. I also wound up with a rather large bag packed with promo items (like luggage tags, water bottles, a free tshirt, pens, notepads, flashlights, etc) and flyers. I left with feeling of responsibility to spread the word about the census.
Some quick facts every should know:
Census day is April 1, and you should recieve a form in the mail mid-March.
Ten questions, takes ten minutes, every ten years.
Census information can't even be accessed by the FBI - everything is confidential to the nth degree.
Information from the census affects not only things like community funding, parks, school districts, numbers of emergency workers, public transportation, and better roads - it also impacts the political future of our country. Unless Minnesota counts 4000 additional persons since the last census, we will lose a seat in the House of Representatives. We probably shouldn't let that happen.
Immigrants and students are big target populations because they may not know the importance of filling out the survey, often live in transitional housing, or do not trust governmental workers or systems. Assure those from other countries that immigration status will not be counted, registered, or available to any questioning parties. We just need to know how many people reside in our state.
I think the census is important, and I hope you do, too. It's our future and we should have a say. To find out more, check out http://www.2010census.gov/, or stop by my place to get a neon luggage tag or a sweet water bottle or something.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
My 9 to 5 plus 2
It's my last semester of college, and I have a practicum. As best as I can figure it, practicum is a fancy way to say I'm an intern. We're hoping intern isn't a nice way of saying office help, though I have filed a few papers so far. The best practicum placement I could find (and get approved) was in Rochester, a good 55 miles away from my home. After a big inner debate about moving I decided to stay put because A) I love my roommates, B) Moving sounded like a lot of work for only 3 1/2 months and C) I don't know many people in Rochester and knew I wouldn't have much time to be making new friends. And so I commute. I'm playing around with times and routes but Hwy 14 is a sketchy road in the dark and I do not like it. It has potential to be a nice drive when there is no ice and some light with which to see, but for now I'll still to good ol' I90.
I love I90. Probably because I know driving to the end of the road (and my family does have a knack for driving to the end of every road!) will take me to Seattle. Driving to Seattle is on my list of things I must do one of these days.
I digress.... practicum. I work for an international resource center that matches immigrants and refugees to resources like county assistance, interpreting services, job skill classes, and internships in the community. The staff is great. The other intern and I get along well, which is nice since we spend most of the day sharing an office. I do have an office. And business casual has taken over my wardrobe in a way only "mom-sweaters" (according to my oh-so-dear roommate) could. I've been doing well and getting accustomed to everything, but hating the two hours in the car after day two. I love to drive, but being gone from 7:30am to 6pm when you're used to my slacker schedule is rough. The gas bill is steep, and I'm still paranoid about hitting deer.
But tonight I had a wonderful, relaxing drive home. I vaguely recall making up something for a Burnout Prevention Paper last semester about using the time en route to think, pray, listen to music, and clear my mind. Not only did my professor love it, but turns out it's pretty legit. Maybe it's all in perspective, maybe it's in taking a deep breath. Maybe it's about shutting up and turning off the radio and listening to the little voice that wants to speak to your heart. I'm at peace where I'm at right now and I'm looking forward to whatever's coming next.
(Portland? What? More to come.)
I love I90. Probably because I know driving to the end of the road (and my family does have a knack for driving to the end of every road!) will take me to Seattle. Driving to Seattle is on my list of things I must do one of these days.
I digress.... practicum. I work for an international resource center that matches immigrants and refugees to resources like county assistance, interpreting services, job skill classes, and internships in the community. The staff is great. The other intern and I get along well, which is nice since we spend most of the day sharing an office. I do have an office. And business casual has taken over my wardrobe in a way only "mom-sweaters" (according to my oh-so-dear roommate) could. I've been doing well and getting accustomed to everything, but hating the two hours in the car after day two. I love to drive, but being gone from 7:30am to 6pm when you're used to my slacker schedule is rough. The gas bill is steep, and I'm still paranoid about hitting deer.
But tonight I had a wonderful, relaxing drive home. I vaguely recall making up something for a Burnout Prevention Paper last semester about using the time en route to think, pray, listen to music, and clear my mind. Not only did my professor love it, but turns out it's pretty legit. Maybe it's all in perspective, maybe it's in taking a deep breath. Maybe it's about shutting up and turning off the radio and listening to the little voice that wants to speak to your heart. I'm at peace where I'm at right now and I'm looking forward to whatever's coming next.
(Portland? What? More to come.)
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Extreme Makeover
Welcome to extreme makeover blog edition.
Hope the redesign didn't throw you for a loop - I'm trying to keep up with the Jones's - in this case, my sister and her hubby's fab blog, and this just kind of happened.
I just returned from a "balmy" 50 degree week in Florida, so let's consider this the spray-on tans of makeovers: it's cheesy, it's fake, it won't last long.
With no promises of better writing, I do sincerely hope we'll have a beautiful blog to show off soon.
Hope the redesign didn't throw you for a loop - I'm trying to keep up with the Jones's - in this case, my sister and her hubby's fab blog, and this just kind of happened.
I just returned from a "balmy" 50 degree week in Florida, so let's consider this the spray-on tans of makeovers: it's cheesy, it's fake, it won't last long.
With no promises of better writing, I do sincerely hope we'll have a beautiful blog to show off soon.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Auld Lang Syne
We rang in the new year with style in St Paul this year. 2009 went fast and full without any major milestones. I have plans to make 2010 a fantastic year but I'm not sure if any dreams will become reality in the next twelve months. Full time employment? Travelling to Africa and Europe? Moving to Portland, buying a house? Maybe those should move from the 2010 file to the sometime-between-now-and-2015 file. We'll see.
Atleast college graduation is (almost) garaunteed. I'm four months, 4800 miles of commuting, and one killer research paper away from a degree in a field I don't want to work in. But here's to being licensed and eligible for a real job, with opportunities in every direction (though we're only interested in those West of here). Happy year of new adventures, new beginnings, new faces and most likely new places. Here's to new dreams and new accomplishments. Bring it on, 2010.
Atleast college graduation is (almost) garaunteed. I'm four months, 4800 miles of commuting, and one killer research paper away from a degree in a field I don't want to work in. But here's to being licensed and eligible for a real job, with opportunities in every direction (though we're only interested in those West of here). Happy year of new adventures, new beginnings, new faces and most likely new places. Here's to new dreams and new accomplishments. Bring it on, 2010.
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