On the Hunt for a Job

I am finally bringing myself to apply for jobs in the area. I have applied to a pet store a few weeks ago, but was told I didn't get the job (which I wasn't happy about, as I love animals, and would loved to have gotten the job).

Today, I applied to a restaurant that's a block from where I live, so it would be perfect in terms of traveling to and from work.

Tomorrow, there is a job fair going on at the local Jewel, that my dad told me about. So, I will hopefully be going to that, and applying there as well.

Hopefully, I can get a job soon, and become more independent. I haven't had a job in quite a while, and would love to be working again.

I am definitely going to apply to other places as well, until I get hired, but I just wish I had a job already.

I am a shy person, so interviews, and being around people I don't know, is very scary for me.

Here's to hoping I get a job soon. VERY soon!!

California Dreamin'

I forget what movie it was, but I was recently watching a movie, where one of the songs had the words "California Dreamin' " in it, and it reminded me of my trip there in 2004.

It was a graduation gift from my oldest brother, and I am very thankful for that experience. I had never been to the west coast before, and never seen a body of water that big.

Yes, I know it's just water, but it was still pretty cool.

I got to visit San Francisco, see the Golden Gate Bridge, see Alcatraz from a boat tour, go kayaking in a lake, see the third Harry Potter movie, visit a few towns, and many other really cool things.

My favorite part of the trip, apart from being in California and visiting my brother and sister-in-law, was going horseback riding the last full day of my visit.

I LOVE horses, and when my brother asked what I wanted to do, the only thing I could think of was horseback riding.

We went on a 2-hour trail ride up a local mountain. It was really beautiful, and I truly enjoyed it.

Now, I am wanting to go back, and visit the state, as I had really enjoyed being there.

Hopefully I'll be able to do that sometime. I love to travel, and would love to be able to go to many more places in my life.

My Passion for Photography

One of the things I am very passionate about is photography, and I plan on getting a degree in photography one of these days.

I have a page on Facebook (Diane Genge Photography), which I've had for a while now, as well as an Instagram account (https://instagram.com/dgengephotography/).

While out to lunch with a friend today, she asked me about the photos on my personal Facebook account, asking whether it's just a hobby, or if I want to do it professionally.

The answer: Both!

It is something that I truly enjoy doing, and would love to be able learn more about it, and to take better photos as well.

Yes, I know some of my photos aren't that great. But, it happens. That's how you learn. And that's what I love about photography. That there's always room to make mistakes, and to learn from them and do better next time.

And that I can be as creative as I want to be, without a lot of pressure.

So, hopefully within the next few years, I can start pursuing a degree and a job in photography. Or at least, get more experience in the field.

Summer Volunteering

While at the library today, one of the children's librarians asked me if I wanted to volunteer in the children's area again, over the summer.

I immediately said yes, as I love the children's area.

Yes, I am an adult. I am well aware that I am older than the kids the room is geared towards. But, that doesn't bother me.

So, when the librarian asked about volunteering again, I was VERY happy!!

This will be the third summer in a row, that I get to volunteer there. Last summer, I actually gained a good friend, who had only been working there for the summer.

She is an amazing person, who I am so grateful to have met!

The theme for the reading program this year is superheroes, and I am looking forward to all the things that the library plans on doing this summer! So, bring on the summer!!!

Things I SHOULD Give Up for Lent...But Most Likely WON'T

I got the idea for this from the blog Living in Yellow, in this post.

In the past, I would decide to give something up, but it wouldn't work out in the end. I wouldn't be able to stay away from it for long.

There are things that I should definitely give up for Lent, but I seriously doubt I will be able to stay away from them for that long, like...


Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
      Seriously, that stuff is ADDICTING!!!

Looking at wedding stuff on Pinterest.
      For some time now, I have been going on Pinterest every day, looking at wedding ideas on Pinterest. I'm not in any kind of relationship right now, so it's not like I'm planning anything at the moment. Pinterest is seriously making me jealous of those who are.

The Internet.
      I spend way too much time on the computer, and on the Internet. I'm on practically every single day, for at least 3 or 4 hours a day. That seriously needs to change.

Junk Food
      I tend to eat quite a bit of junk food, and I am not proud of it. I live in a household where there is always some form of unhealthy food around, and it's always tempting to gravitate towards that, than more healthier options. I am trying to motivate myself to eat healthier, but it's hard with what's always around (we do have healthy foods, but I reach for the unhealthy ones more often).

One thing that isn't really a "giving up" thing, that I seriously need to do, is to clean up my bedroom, and to be in a cleaner environment. I am not a neat freak, so I always just toss stuff onto my bedroom floor, and a lot of my things go missing, or end up broken. So, that is one thing I want to start working on this Lent season, and hopefully keep it up.

Camille and Kennerly: The Harp Twins

I recently saw a video on Facebook, of twins Camille and Kennerly Kitt, twin sisters who both play the harp. They are known as the harp twins :)

Let me just say, that they are AMAZING!!!

They play harp versions of popular TV, movie, game, and commercial songs, which are awesome.

You can check them out on Facebook here, and on YouTube here.

I love find out about new (to me, at least) music, that I enjoy, and that I can share with others.

What's even better, is that the twins are from my hometown. Pretty cool!!

I can't wait to see/hear what else they will be performing in the future.

Wishing on a Wedding

For quite some time now, I have been wishing I could get married. And soon.

Every so often, I would get hooked into looking at wedding ideas on Pinterest, and I wish I was actually planning for my own wedding.

I was a bridesmaid in my oldest brother's wedding (actually, the ONLY bridesmaid), and it made me really happy that he included me in the party. I was 13 years old at the time, and I miss the days I spent celebrating my brother's wedding.

What's more, the final for my cake decorating class, which I am taking this spring, is to make...

A wedding cake.

I know we are supposed to get practice in making these kinds of cakes for class, but it's like this final is taunting me or something.

I'm trying to be patient in waiting for my turn to be the bride, but it's hard as I am getting older, and it doesn't seem to be happening any time soon.

I really want to be a bride/wife, and then a mother.

I am very much a family person, and I really want to have my own family someday (hopefully sooner, rather than later). So here's hoping I meet and marry my prince within the next few years (please, please, please???!!!).

School Has Begun

Well, yesterday was the first day of school for the spring semester.

This class is supposed to be about five hours long, because we will be making cakes and stuff, but since today was the first day, the teacher just explained what we will be doing, and what all we need. That took about an hour.

I'm excited about what we are going to do, but also nervous, because I've never done anything quite like this.

We are going to make sugar/fondant roses, learn different decorating techniques, and make multi-tiered cakes.

For our midterm, we have to make a decorated birthday cake, and for the final, we have to make a 2-3 tiered wedding cake.

Yikes!!!!!

I really hope I do well on those two, because I've never done decorating like this before.

I've only done icing on the tops of cakes/cupcakes. Nothing at all like the professionals do.

Although, I am really looking forward to this class. I really enjoy classes that are hands on, instead of students just sitting for a couple hours, listening to lectures.

The only down side to this class is that it is five hours long. Hopefully, with all the baking and decorating we will be doing, that time will go by fast.

Here's hoping that I do well in this class!!

Valentine's Day for Singles

I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day, partly because I'm single (and have been my entire life). And partly because it has become a highly commercialized holiday.

At least, it is in my opinion.

I mean, I have nothing against people getting their loved one something on Valentine's Day, but I'm just not into it.

Although, a few times, a guy friend of mine gave me some presents for Valentine's Day, which I actually like(d).

One was a cute white teddy bear, with a heart on its tummy. I actually LOVE teddy bears, so this was one present I didn't mind receing,

For all you couples out there, who like to celebrate, happy Valentine's Day! For you singles out there, don't feel like you have to be with someone to enjoy the day. Do something that you enjoy, that makes you happy.

As for me, I don't have any plans to celebrate, but I'm sure I will find something to do ;)

Lifetime Plans/Dreams

I just read a blog post by one of my favorite bloggers, about how, when she was growing up, her family made "lifetime plan" binders, which she continued doing when she got married, and now, with her kids.

I thought that was a great idea, and will definitely be making my own soon!

For some reason, I love making lists, and planning things out, so this would be great for me to do. I just wish I thought of doing it years ago!

There are a lot of things I want to do in life, and seeing it written down in this way would be awesome, and would motivate me more, to do the things I want to do.

So, thank you, 71 Toes, for blogging about your "lifetime plans," and inspiring me to want to make my own. And to actually work towards them!