In preparation for my wedding business, I'm always in the process of gathering ideas for weddings. I'm making a notebook of "Inspirational Ideas" filled with pictures, ideas, ect. If anyone ever has a great idea for a wedding theme, or anything wedding/party related, let me know!
I could definetly babble longer, but my library time is up. :::grumbles::: Hopefully by the end of the summer, I'll have my OWN computer!!!
It's funny how almost everyone looks foward to the weekends and are always saying, "Thank god it's Friday!" when weekends are usually my most dreaded part of the week because that's when I work the most ... which is a shame because of course that's the only time Chris has off. As I like to say, "Thank god it's almost summer!" :P
Speaking of summer, it's finally starting to feel more like summer this week. Last week it felt unseasonably cool for California this time of year. Not that we didn't need a little bit of rain ...
Ok ... I'm worried about myself. "I'm having a problem. I may be having a problem." (Just like Bill Murray said in 'Ground Hog Day', hehe.) So ... I like to visit MarthaStewart.com. Yes, you heard me right. But, it's SUCH a nifty site! Every day there's new video recipes, (today they have recipes for baked pasta, cute vanilla cupcakes, and poppy-seed panckaes) Plus there's a section on weddings, crafts, holidays, entertaining, home decorating, shopping, and gardeing! All the things I love! Now, you may be wondering why this is a problem. Well ... the other day in Barnes'N'Noble I wanted to buy the Martha Stewart 'Housekeeping Handbook.' Yes. A book about homekeeping tasks. AHHHH! Hahaha. Oh dear. But I didn't buy it. Wew.
Last night, Chris and I watched the movie 'Stranger than Fiction,' which was quite enjoyable! It was the perfect time to watch the movie ... April is the month of tax returns ... and the movie is about a worker for the IRS! Hehehe. Yeah that's a dumb and totally unrelated point ... but it was a good movie nonetheless.
I'm currently watching 'Moulin Rouge' as Chris sits on the couch eating a humburger. I simply love watching the Duke singing 'Like a Virgin' as he dances around in his black and rose colored robe.
Chris said today I'm spoiled because my dad payed for my college tuition. AND because he set up a retirement fund for me. AND a fund for when I get married. However, I disagree. I call it being well-prepared. :P
Okay, I've babbled enough about 3 rather pointless topics and now I'm off to ... uhh ... to um ... hmmm ... come to think of it ... I don't know WHAT I'm going to do next!
Things have been running smoother for me lately. A few months ago, I was so unbelievably stressed about everything. I would even find myself getting depressed easily, which ... isn't normal for me because I'm a happy person! :D lol
I was stressed and felt restless because I didn't know what I wanted to do career-wise, and now I finally think I've made my decision! It's not that I'm "giving up on acting," in fact, I still love acting. But I've realized it's just not something I want to do for a living. I don't feel like I've waisted time by moving here for that reason, in fact I've met alot of wonderful people here, like my boyfriend Chris! I also don't feel like, "oh ... I didn't make it in Hollywood. I'm such a loser!" because well ... it's not that I gave up, I just felt/feel more strongly and passionate about my event planning business. Which I'm very excited about by the way!
The other day when I took my car in for the 120K service check (which cost $540,) the guy at the car dealership told me that my car "burns oil" faster than normal and that I should "probably fix it immediately" and that it would "only cost" $1,800. At which point I laughed to myself and thought, that's why I'll just check my oil regularly myself to make sure I don't run out, and replace it myself. Yes that's right, I laughed to myself when he told me I needed to spend an extra $1,800. Am I going to spend that? HELL no! And if that had happened a few months ago, I would have cried. I probably would have stood at the counter and started bowling. I would constantly worry about my car having another problem and the fact that I wouldn't have enough money to fix it. Since then I've decided that EVERY time you take your car in some where, they will ALWAYS tell you that something needs to be replaced/fixed. Well I am NOT going to let the money/car factor be a CONSTANT worry in my life anymore. Really, there's more important things. And worrying doesn't do anything productive. I know it's easier said than done, but I've been really good about it lately. And I feel so much better!
AND I just realized that after I pay my bills for May, in addition to having $1,000 reserved for emergencies, I'll have about $1,400 extra. WHICH means I'm much closer to buying my computer then I thought! I'd just like to have about $500 extra so I don't come so close to taking out of my emergency funds. And THAT ladies and gentlemen, is exciting.
(The picture is me, by the way. I'm one happy cookie.) :P
I think I need to stop going running right before Kung Fu class. I always run anywhere from 4-6 miles right before class and so my legs are already tired before I even start. THAT'S what happened last night. My legs felt like two blocks of lead that just couldn't get off the ground ... especially during kicking drills which I did horrible at last night. :P Thank goodness there aren't any mirrors for me to watch myself in, I would have been horrified, haha. Although, Sifu DID teach me a new segment of the two-section staff form. Woo hoo! :D
Speaking of running ... I need to go do that before work tonight ... mehhhh. Blah.
It's rather cold and rainy out ... I'd much rather crawl into my nice cozy bed and take a nap. :::sigh:::
Not that anyone really cares, but I like to write everything out for my own sake. :P I've sort of come up with a rough idea of start-up costs for my business:
Things I'll need:
- Computer (Mac, desktop) $1,500+
- Copier/Printer/Scanner $100 (usually you get deals when you buy a computer.)
- Fax Machine $220
- 4 Drawer Vertical File Cabinet $150
- Business Cards $20
- Business Stationary $20
- Pens, pencils, paper, stapler, scissors, tape, paper clips, 1/2" binders etc. $40
- Desk calculator $20
- Desk and chairs $170 (desk) $150 (my chair) and $100 (two more chairs)
- Business License $45
- Website $170
- Interior Decoration $120
Grande Total: $2,825
Hmmm ... not bad! Currently, I'm saving for the computer ... which ... is pretty much the biggest cost. I have several hundred saved towards that so far. (I'd have MORE but I've spent $1,300 on my car in the past 3 months. GRRR.)
Even though I'm not planning on starting my business until I know where I'll be living at least some what long term, (since it would be pointless to work so hard to get your business off the ground only to MOVE some where else,) I went ahead and came up with a rough draft busniess plan anyway. AND I've been working on figuring out the start-up costs so I have a rough idea of how much money I'll need to have saved.
MY BUSINESS PLAN:
Business Name: I have one but I'm not listing it incase some one sees this blog and decides to steal it. :P
Legal Matters: Sole Proprietorship, I'm going to be my OWN boss! :P
Business Location: Working from home (the cost of paying a couple extra hundred for a TWO bedroom apartment would cost MUCH less then RENTING a commercial space.)
Services I will provide:
- FREE 30 minute Initial Consultation
- Full Service Wedding Planning
- Wedding Day Coordination
- Wedding Consultations
- Partial Wedding Services
What I will charge: (a ROUGH idea, although depending on where I live, prices will probably change according to what local competitors are charging.)
- Consultation only (3 hours): $150
- Flat fee for wedding day coordination: $500
- Flat fee for specific services (such as vendors): $150+ per vendor
- Partial wedding services hourly fee: $50/hour
- Full service wedding planning
* Weddings w/ budgets of $15,000 and above: %15
* Weddings w/ budgets below $15,000: haven't figured it out yet. :P
Advertising/Marketing
- Portfolio
- Website
- Brochures
- Business Cards
- Yellow Pages
- Family/Friends
- Bridal Shows
- Press Releases
- Local Papers
And there you have it! My initial rough draft business plan. I have some "additional" ideas for services and things I will provide to make my business unique, but I don't want to babble them all over the internet. Classified information, you know. :P
I'm feeling inspired today. Although ... I felt inspired yesterday too. I'm TOTALLY going to have a wonderful wedding/event planning business of my very own some day! I've decided that I'd like to try and be an event coordinator's assisstant, or work for a company for at least 1-2 years, so that I can gain more experience and contacts. Then when I decide to start my own business, I can keep at least a part-time job in the beginning until I start making enough money on my own. Brilliant! :P
Although ... I was looking online for job openings and I'm finding that most wedding planners don't advertise that type of thing online. I think my best bet is trying to find out through word-of-mouth and referrals. Hmmm ...
I may have to wait awhile before I truly begin job searching anyway since I'm not positive of how much longer I'm going to be living in the area I am now. Small problem ...
And there you have it. My two cents for the day. I could add a couple more dollars, but that might make my head start spinning. :P
The other day Chris and I went to Six Flags Magic Mountain and it was great! (Well ... after we finally got our tickets and were admitted inside the park, which took nearly TWO hours!!!) Thankfully, we each got "Play Passes," (season tickets for only $59.99!!!) So next time we go we can just walk right in. (YES!)
The first ride we went on was 'Goliath,' one of the park's biggest rollercoasters that's about 266 feet high! SO much fun. Although Chris kept saying, "I hate you" while we were waiting in line. Hehehe. Chris would zone out and try to find a "happy place" when the rollercoaster would make it's long treck up hill. I just love teasing him about it. :P
We also road on 'Tatsu', another super fun rollercoaster where you are suspended like a bug with no track beneath you the entire way. This is another ride where Chris repeatedly said, "I hate you" in line. I've never seen such a look of sheer terror on his face as I did during that ride. :P Although as we were boarding the ride, I ran over to go put my camera on the storage shelf and totally slipped and fell on my butt/side in front of everyone! It was a great moment. Well no ... not really. lol
We also road 'The Scrambler' a couple times where I got to smash Chris against the side of the car and then we road it again and he got to smash me, nearly crushing my ribs! Hahaha. I was Power Ranger laughing during the whole process so that didn't help either. :P
The downside to the day was that it was really, really windy. So windy that they had to shut many of the rollercoasters down early and we didn't get to ride them. :( Oh well. That's why we have SEASON passes! :D
The wind was also cold. VERY cold. While waiting in line for nearly TWO hours to ride 'Viper' I was grasping onto Chris trying to suck is body warmth ... which helped some what. Although even the usually very warm Chris didn't have enough body heat to help the both of us ...I was still BUTT cold.
At the end of the night, we road the good old-fashioned carousel and took some pictures, which I'm sure will turn out to be classics. After walking around the park for almost 10 hours and having had nothing to eat or drink the entire time, we were both ravenous and headed to Denny's for some good 'ol diner food. YUM.
Chris and I also went to go see the new Quentin Tarantino/Robert Rodriguez movie Grindhouse, which was basically two seperate movies with movie previews scattered throughout. It was very interesting and the first half/movie was really entertaining. I enjoyed it alot. The second half was a bit ... boring. I don't have time to write a detailed review of it right now ... so I'll leave it at that for the moment!
So yes, it's been a lovely week. Chris showed me the movie "Dragon Heart" yesterday ... Sean Connery makes a great dragon! :p
My dad recently returned from a trip he took to Israel, and got to visit many historical land marks and see lots of cool things. Anyways, he sent me (and I'm assuming other friends and family,) an Easter card with a little "Easter message" he wrote about what he learned from visiting the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem. I've posted it here in case anybody would like to read it:
"The Garden of Gethsemane is located on the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives, just across the Kidron valley from the east wall of the Old City of Jerusalem. My estimate is that it is only about 225 yards from the east wall of the Old City (as the nightingale flies anyway). The Garden today is well maintained and dominated by ancient olive trees, a number of them estimated to be over 2000 years old! The term 'Gethsemane' means 'oil press.' One presumes that it was the site of many olive trees and of a large oil press in biblical times. The Garden of Gethsemane was undoubtedly considerably larger back in the times of Jesus than it is now.
The Garden was a favorite meeting place for Jesus and his disciples. After the Last Supper, it was the place that Jesus took his disciples (except for Judas). As recounted in the Gospels, it was the site of Jesus' agony, betrayal and arrest. Upon arriving at Gethsemane that night, Jesus apparently left most of the disciples at the entrance, taking Peter, James and John inside with him to pray.
Matthew's gospel says that Jesus began to be sorrowful and troubled. It also says he fell to the ground, where he made a most remarkable statement in his prayer: "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as your will." [Matthew 26:39] What did he mean by this?
The human side of Jesus knew how difficult the coming hours would be- he was moments away from being arrested, which would quickly be followed by his trial and crucifixion. The God of the universe who came to the earth as a man [Jesus, of course] was about to undergo a humiliating and painful death. The human side of him did not want to drink from the Cup of Divine Wrath, which was to be the punishment for the sins of mankind. Though the "cup" was abhorrent to him, he willingly took it because it was the will of his Father.
What is this Scripture passage really supposed to teach us? I have pondered this since coming home. This is what I believe ...
Jesus, within earshot of three of his disciples, in essance asked God the Father if there was an easier way for humanity to be saved from their sins than for him to die as their sacrifice.
Of course, Jesus knew the answer before he prayed to the Father! Though we do not hear the actual voice of the Father answering, we know that he would have said something like this: 'There is no other way! Jesus, my Son, you have to die for them.'
Had there been an easier payment for our sins, had there been an easier way to restore our fellowship with a perfect holy God- the Father would have spared his one and only Son from experiencing the cup of his wrath. In his prayer, Jesus consciously, deliberately, and voluntarily subjugated all of his human desires to the Father's perfect will.
Any faith that is not grounded in the death of Jesus Christ as payment for our sins is not a faith with any power to save- power to assure us of spending eternity in heaven with the Creator of the universe. Many in the world do not want to believe this, thinking that all supposed paths to god are equally true. Certainly, it is not popular in our day to assert claims of absolute truth. However, that is what the Word of God says repeatedly! We are free to believe it or not. But, each one of us will eventually find out the truth- we need to find out before it is too late.
I personally prefer to have had Jesus drink from the Cup of Divine Wrath for me, rather than for me to have to drink that cup myself. The God of the universe who created you and me loved you and me so much that He died for us!
And the Father raised Jesus up from the dead to show that he was indeed God's son, like Jesus had said, and that his sacrifice had been accepted.
This is the free gift that Jesus promises to all who believe. That is the Gospel message- the Good News. What better news could there be?!
This is what I learned in the Garden of Gethsemane, and is my message to you for this Easter.
April 2, 2007
JBM"
Happy Easter everyone! I know I know, it's a bit early. But tomorrow I'll be working and Sunday I'll be working, (plus the library will be closed,) so I won't be able to wish everyone a happy Easter then!
:::sigh::: I could really go for some egg dying action. I LOVE dying Easter eggs! SO much fun. And even though I'm old I still love Easter eggs hunts too. :P
Ahhhh well. Maybe next year!
Today has been lovely! (Aside from the fact that I spent way too much money on myself!)
Since I had today off, I slept in (although not as late as I usually do when I "sleep in,") and then went ... shopping. It was beautiful! Although I think I spent over TWICE as much as I told myself I'd spend. My budget was $65 ...
First, I finally found a really cute pair of new shorts! In addition, I bought a cute pair of black gouche pants ... which I USED to have a pair of ... that is until Chris noticed there was a hole in the butt while playing mini-golf ... (why does everything happen during mini-golf?) THEN they had my favorite type of shorts for running/sleeping/lounging on the CLEARANCE rack for $4.45 so I of course bought a pair of those. To top my buying experience off at that particular store, I splurged on a pair of new shoes to go with my new shorts. I rationalized that I hadn't bought a new pair of shoes, (other than $3 flip-flops) in OVER a year. So it was okay. :P Total spent = $61
To continue my shopping spree, I went to Ulta (cosmetics store,) because I wanted to get some type of deep conditioning treatement for my hair to make it extra soft and purdy! I walked into the store, and this early 30-something guy with frosted highlights in is hair and tight jeans (think Jay Manuel from 'America's Next Top Model,') is like "Can I help you with anything?" So I explained I was looking for something for my hair. Immediately, I could see his eyes light up. "Ohhh! Yes! I have something that would be perfect for you!" So he's showing me this product and is like, "Can I feel your hair?" I nod yes. "Oh giiiiiirl! It is soooo thick! I would just LOVE to work on your hair! Here's my card incase you ever need anything done! And, OMG, this product is going to make your hair feel great! I've been using it on all my clients for 10 years!" Okay. Sold. THEN as I was about to leave, I saw my absolute FAVORITE skin lotion which I've only ever seen online, and I've been puting off buying it for the past year because it's $26 (for me $26 is ALOT for lotion!) But ... I bought it. Total Spent = $45
To cap the afternoon off, I headed over to Forever 21 to get a few accessories for my new outfit. Just some nice earrings and maybe a bracelet. I'd maybe spend $12. Well ... I found the CUTEST spring dress ever! I tried it on and ... damn. It fit perfectly and looked great. Sooo I rationalized that I hadn't bought a new spring dress in at least 2-3 years, so I bought it. I also bought a tank top, TWO pairs of earrings, (had to get a pair for the new dress,) and a bracelet. Total Spent = $65
Which means, my GRANDE TOTAL for today is $171!!! (NOT including the $22 I spent on gas.) :::shudders::: oh well. I needed some new spring clothes, and as I said ... I hadn't bought any shoes or dresses for 2-3 years and well ... we all know I needed to get something to replace the booty shorts. :P Plus the dress is just SO darn cute! :D
I just ate a cream egg. Ahhhhhh. Lovely.
Ghetto-booty: a term used when you see a girl with a firm, big, tight packed butt. Ex: "Dawg, look at that girl's ghetto booty!" From The Urban Dictionary.
1) The Ghetto-booty, cradled in its booty shorts, caused me to crash straight into a thick metal fence on my first date with Allison. There was much bleeding of the arm.
2) While we were playing "Cosmic Miniature Golf," which is inside a two-story enclosure and involves dance music and a black light, all I could see was Allison's booty shorts! The white shorts were a bright purple amidst complete darkness. This girl knew what she was doing!
3) When Allison and I went to eat at the Elephant Bar that night, the booty shorts got us a table at the train booths. I hadn't sat there since my birthday two years earlier.
4) Later that night, Allison "accidentally" fell into my arms, as well as clear across my right hand. She sat on me folks, giving me ample access to her thighs and booty. This moment was made possible by the generous contributions of the Booty Shorts Foundation.
5) What guy wouldn't want to love Allison's booty in those short shorts of hers? Or, better yet, what guy wouldn't be proud each time other guys crashed into and over things as they gazed upon his girlfriend's butt.
6) I wouldn't say that booty shorts necessarily give off the "wrong impression." It depends on the impression you're trying to make. If you're trying to say, "I'm dead sexy," then booty shorts are great. If you're trying to make a good impression the first time you meet your boyfriend's father, then booty shorts may not be the best idea.
7) I didn't say Californians refer to booty shorts as "rape shorts," although there are some guys who refer to them that way. It's only natural to assume that danger's involved when flaunting your "goods" at 2 am in the morning. Would you walk through a dangerous neighborhood yelling about how much money you had on you? I think not.
I think Chris and I spent close to an hour yesterday talking about "Booty Shorts." You see, up until last year I was a victim of the so-called "Booty Shorts," unaware of the impression they were giving off and the effects they were having on guys. Here are some of the highlights of the discussion:
When I was in a relationship with Roger, I wore Booty Shorts. (Not to show off my butt, mind you! It's just that every pair I tried on was ... well ... short and the fact that I have a getto-butt didn't help.) Through our conversation I realized:
1. Roger liked my so-called booty shorts. In fact, he would request that I wear them.
2. Chris points out that this was because he liked to "show me off" to other guys. Kinda like Roger going, "You see this? You see this ass? It's MINE ... and I know you want some, but you can't have it!" (Horrified? I sure was!)
3. Roger never said anything to me about my shorts being too short. Ever.
Now, I've been dating Chris for almost a year, and realized even MORE about the infamous shorts.
1. I wore them on our first date. Not too impress, but because it was a hot day. However, the shorts gave Chris the impression that I "wanted him oh-so-badly!" (And so what if I did, :P haha.) The point is, the shorts gave off the wrong impression.
2. I found out that the real reason why Chris crashed into the metal fence while playing mini-golf on our first date (causing his arm to bleed,) was because he was distracted by my arse! (HA.)
3. The first time I met Chris' dad (AND two brothers,) I ... wore the "booty shorts." Chris later told me that his dad was like, "She's a really nice, down-to-earth girl! But ... but those shorts!" (I know, embarrassing.)
4. Chris has now brought to my attention that the shorts give off the wrong impression, (I know I know, call me naive, but I never thought that MY shorts were too short! No ... no not me!)
5. Chris points out that while he loves my butt, the shorts make every other guy want to love my butt too. (And not in a good way.)
6. He also points out that very short shorts have earned the title "rape shorts" here in California. He doesn't feel comfortable with me wearing them out, especially by myself.
Conclusion:
Booty Shorts are good if you want to give guys the wrong impression. Booty Shorts are also good if you want to possibly get raped late at night. Therefore, I should not be wearing booty shorts because I'm "not that kind of girl," and I don't want to get raped. My boyfriend cares enough about me to point this out. Hmmm. I love my boyfriend. :)
Bills bills bills. What else can I say besides I don't feel like paying them at the moment? Mehhh.
Right now I'm off to maybe get a new pair of shorts for the upcoming warm spring/summer weather. Afterall, the current pairs of shorts I own right now are "booty shorts" according to Chris. I mean ... I can't help it that shorts happen to ride up my butt because it's so large! :P
I had something insightful to say, but I seem to have lost it. Hmmmm. Maybe later. :P
