Author: Marisa D.

Move Over School – Big Girl Job

Published by

What I love about journaling is that after a year (+) at work I come back to this, and it makes me chuckle. She lives! (Mushu voice) You know what’s a great feeling? Turning off your tv. You think it’s easy. Just press the button, but man that Netflix gets you with those couple of seconds till the next episode. I lazily fumble for my “lost” remote. Oh no where is it? I can’t find it. Whoops the next episode is playing… Today marks week two at my new job. I basically wobbled home, eyes blinking, taking in the sunlight after emerging from the office. I’m better now. As you can see, I’m actually sitting down and writing instead of napping – productivity it’s a wonderful thing. Unless I think about the dinner I have yet to cook. I’m good though, I had some brownies!  I’m trying to be better. Today I took a measured 30 minute nap after work and only went over a couple of minutes. I watch only one episode and only …

Hello Old Friend

Published by

The reason for my absence? Masters of Architecture, first semester down! I took a three year break in between my undergrad and graduate school and let me tell you, people weren’t kidding when they said it was hard to get back in. I think I cried my way through the first semester of school. I’m overexaggerating, but there was definitely at least one breakdown in that first month. We hit the ground running and I wasn’t used to the whole not sleeping thing. I had slept for three years and it was great! This however, this is different, this is not homework, this is me. The soft clicks of the keyboard pairing nicely with the low drum of the airplane. Floating above who knows where, I’m headed to Vermont to see my sister for Christmas break. A Texas family going to the North for Christmas. Not the best idea. There’s something about writing on an airplane. I could almost imagine myself a world traveler blogging about my adventures or a CEO writing notes before my …

Another Rejection To Motivate Me

Published by

How does that phrase go? “If you want to make God laugh, make plans.” Oh come on! How else is a non-spontaneous girl supposed to live! I have to make plans, write daily to do lists in my planner, stick to a strict sleep schedule, you get the picture. Okay, I’m stalling from what I’m really here to say. I didn’t get the job. And as per my coping mechanism I start to write… I’m giving myself one night of sadness but then we must move on! (Noted: I often like to talk in the third person, I feel like then it’s a group effort) You know those really successful people that have these amazing stories of rags to riches. It’s because they had motivation to change their lives, to create a better world for not only themselves but for others around them. It’s so INSPIRING! Since I’m a Catholic I also look up to non “Cradle Catholics,” the converts, the ones that chose Catholicism, some even going against their own families religion. They all …

Dora’s Tips to Financial Success: Part 2

Published by

Find Part 1 here! I always love hearing about the times of the 10 cent ice creams and the 1 dollar movie theaters and this time was no different when Dora mentioned she had purchased her first house for only $12,000. As shocking as this amount was the story was a familiar one. When the homeowner asked for a $6,000 down payment, her husband said it was too much, but Dora had a different answer.  She said she could offer $5,000 cash on the spot, leaving her husband dumbfounded. This reminded me of my own mom and dad where his famous line is, “I just work and she does all the rest” meaning his grasp on the financial investments that take place in the household are little to none. I gave a knowing chuckle and let her continue… ____ Q: How did you get started on your first property? After living in an apartment for 10 months they decided to buy their first house. After 10 years and having kids they wanted a larger space which …

Don’t give up!

Published by

The parents strike again! I got a fresh batch of newspaper clippings. One of them of course from the wonderful Kate Lopaze, from thejobnetwork.com. 5 Important questions to ask before starting a new job. This one, however was too important not to share. “Don’t quit” written by Chaplain (1st Lt.) Craig Peeples, in the Fort Bliss Bugle, talks about how to overcome the voice in your head telling you to quit. I’m not even going to try to talk over him. I’m writing this out, one to share with you, but also so that I will have it in the future to gather strength from. “Let us not be weary in doing good – for at the proper time we will reap a harvest – if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 “We have all struggled or failed at some point in our lives. We have all faced challenges or difficult times when we just felt like giving up. Even today, there may be some people who ask themselves “How can I keep …

Learning what “super-powerful women never do”

Published by

When I started living on my own my mom would mail me little snippets of newspaper clippings or magazine articles that usually had something to deal with either, business, money, design or religion. Always with a little note saying: “te quiero mucho mi muchachita chula, bonita, inteligente, athletica, y trajabadora.” Her presence is everything, and never do I doubt in that moment that I’m not beautiful, smart, strong, and a hard worker. Her most recent clipping was, “Eight things that super-powerful women never do” written by Kate Lopaze, a journalist for the TheJobNetwork.com. My mom always sends me clippings that are perfectly timed for my life. As it just so happens I am currently looking to be a “badass, powerful woman,” as Ms. Lopaze puts it. She points out women’s natural hesitancies in the business world and gets straight to the point. They don’t downplay their achievements She talks about how women feel it’s “braggy” to talk about their successes, but can be very helpful, especially in job interviews or when raising negotiations. Noted: I think …

Clocking Out For The Last Time

Published by

You know how in the movies you always see the fired person leaving work with their cardboard box and plant walking out the entrance or with the elevator doors shutting on them with a slow zoom coming up on their face? That was me, except I wasn’t fired thank goodness, which made it much more pleasant. It was an internship and my time had expired. Such a weird feeling to become attached to something, have it become habit, then have to change it the very next day. I had been there a little over a year. Now, tomorrow I will not see my boss in the morning, I will not say good morning to my office mates or see the acquaintances I’ve made. It’s sad, but we move on right? I’m experiencing what everybody calls, “the closing of a chapter.” Now I must flip to a new page and write something wonderfully imaginative! Of course there will be guidelines to follow like, go to grad school, go to work, but I hope I can fit …

My Peculiar Obsession With Bathroom Designs

Published by

I saw some amazing bathroom designs this weekend. What did you do? I’m not trying to sound fancy and say I walked around with designers all day and saw million dollar home bathroom designs, more like, picture this… Out with my friends for a meal, I politely excuse myself to the restroom. Do I need to use the restroom? Nope, I’m just curious! I walk in, stop, and take in the area. That’s it, although I do make sure to get a good hand washing in for good measure, have to test out that water flow! You can tell a lot about a restaurants culture by the care of their bathrooms. I consider a restaurants bathroom like a person’s “baggage” or “dirty laundry.” We try to hide it, are ashamed of it, hope that no one notices, and even though you insist it doesn’t define you, it’s all people care about. Yes, obviously the actual food quality, service, and ambiance are important but, this post is about my obsession with BATHROOMS!  It’s true though! Your …

The Gap Year: And The Growth In-between

Published by

“I’ve been here before… As I circle around to another year I get a sense of deja vu. I’ve done this before. Around the same time last year, I was staring at my computer, fidgeting, pacing, and struggling to write out my letter of intent for Grad school, but where I once felt rushed and uncertain I now feel confident and resolved.” These are words I had written to myself a couple of months ago while I was applying to my masters of architecture. I find myself reflecting on them, as after 3 years my first year of grad school nears. It seemed to me like everyone I knew from school had already gone and graduated. “I am terribly behind.” It took me a while to realize that my pace, while maybe slower than others, was no less worthy or significant.  In my heart I knew I was not ready and it was in that true knowing and following of my own path that provided me with peace. When you compare your successes instead of using …