All posts filed under: Life Tips

Hello Old Friend

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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 …

Dora’s Tips to Financial Success: Part 2

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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!

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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”

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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 …

How To Manage Your To-Do List

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  Are you the kind of person who has to write to-do lists in order to have a productive day? I definitely am, but there always seems to be a problem with this method. One, my list is never a reasonable amount. I always write down more than what can be accomplished in a day leaving me feeling disappointed at the end of one. Two, procrastination sets in. I’m always eager to cross an item off my list so I tackle the easiest ones first. Small victories but nowhere close to winning the war. What I’m left with is the most challenging longest tasks rolling over to day two and yes sometimes even day three. What the heck, if I’m being honest here let’s just say next week. I hope as you’re reading this you’re not judging my struggles in life. Can you relate or are you a person who has a firm handle on your everyday tasks? Maybe you’ve established a hierarchy and have the discipline to stick to it. For example, today these …

Are you living your life to the fullest? Yes you are! But please read on to be sure.

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I had made it to the party, step one.
Now to find my exit buddy, step two.

Trying to look at ease and confident, I search. Finally, I spot a friend of mine. It’s just the two of us talking for a bit but then somehow we are joined by an older couple (late 30’s). The man, at least a foot taller than me, decked out in black and sporting jewelry across his wrists and fingers, is full of buzzed energy. The woman beside him, a calmer opposite.

We are taken through his entire life it seems. He, an open character with very expressive movements, starts to encroach on my invisible defensive bubble.

You Never Know Until You Walk Out That Door…

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Now this might be more of an instance with introverts, but… You usually like to stay home, watch a movie with your favorite choice of snack, maybe read a good book, or type away at your computer like I am now. But on occasion when someone or something convinces you to go out, you’re glad you went. Maybe you even had an occurrence when you met someone and thought, “wow I never would’ve had such a meaningful conversation if I had stayed in!” Sound familiar? Yup, ah-huh. That was me last night. It was one of those typical small talk conversations which inevitably led to, what did you study in college and where are you working? He was a mechanic and I an aspiring architect so we naturally bonded over art, design, and a creator’s mindset. Soon we found a similar passion for leadership, entrepreneurship, and the future. The one question I always get when I tell people I studied architecture in school is if I’m going to own my own firm one day. As …

Tips To Becoming A Landlord: How to get started with loans, interest rates, taxes and budgeting.

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I want to thank my mom for sharing her story. She has come so far and built so much for her family growing from both her failures and triumphs. At 57 her and my dad have acquired 6 rental properties and sold a single family residence with the hope of retiring at 60. I am proud to offer up her wisdom and share it with any who will hear. Read on to learn about her tips to becoming a landlord including loans, interest rates, taxes and budgeting. In her own words… _____ “Don’t ever rent, you are throwing money out the window when you do. Buy.” – Louis Terrazas, 1900 – 1988 That was my father’s pearl and without realizing it, my first lesson in becoming a landlord. I saw it years later in our neighbors who were young newlyweds. They lived in their home for only two years and then rented it out. That was 18 years ago and we still have renters next door! We always said – wish we could do that. …

Girls Night In Retreat

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The girls from St. Mathew’s high school youth group put on their annual Girls Night In Retreat. The director, a high school junior, wrote a talk about their theme, His strength is hers. I would like to thank Danielle for allowing me to share her story.   “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Each of you is priceless. If this is true then why are our thoughts often times filled with negativity. Thinking about how we aren’t enough or less beautiful than others. Take a moment to think about whom you associate the word ‘beautiful’ with and why do you think so. Now think about how this affects the way you see yourself. Do you still think you’re beautiful? When you think about it, how can you know the true meaning of beauty, confidence, independence etc. if you don’t have self worth? Self worth is the sense of your own value or worth as a person. This means not worrying …