Since this is my last Wednesday working at my current job, it only seems fit to explain how I came to the conclusion that it was definitely time to move on to a new job.
I mentioned in a previous post that one of my coworkers, Carin, died in the office. Prior to that event happening, I had been planning to find a new job in the summer or fall of 2011, but I wasn't totally sold on it. After Carin's death I felt like I should waste any more time working for a company that encourages a complete lack of work/ life balance. I found myself not wanting to get up and go to work in the morning at all, watching the clock all day waiting to go home.
However, when you're employed in an economy with unemployment rates around 9-10%, it is hard to take the plunge and look towards starting something new. It is especially hard if looking and applying for jobs if that means risking your job security by letting your supervisor know you're looking elsewhere. This was the conundrum I found myself in beginning in January. I was ready to leave then, but since I had made a commitment to my job through the end of the college recruitment season, I was afraid to start looking so far out from the summer.
Fortunately my boss gave me the push I needed. In early March I sent my boss an email requesting some time off for my birthday vacation. She responded with a simple question- "what is your last day on staff?". I was caught totally off guard. And when I told her that I wasn't sure yet, but was planning to leave some time this summer, she decided for me that my last day would be around 5/31. It felt like she couldn't wait to get rid of me. That is probably true, but now I see that that push was exactly what I needed to start an aggressive job search and make myself happy again.
I'm very happy that my boss lit that fire for me. To make a long story short, I've been increasingly displeased with this company and how they treat their employees. I'm so excited to start my new job next week!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Vegan Chili: Foodie Friday
I'm an omnivore, but mostly when I eat out. At home I tend to cook a lot of vegetarian and vegan meals.
It has been a rainy and chilly spring here in Boston, so I want to warm up with some of my delicious Vegan Chili.
Tashia's Vegan Chili (makes about 10 bowl size servings)
1 package Frieda's Soyrizo or Trader Joe's Brand Soy Chorizo
2tsp olive oil
1 green bell pepper- (diced)
1 red bell pepper (diced)
1 large yellow or white onion (diced)
2 gloves garlic, minced
1 large can crushed tomatoes
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 1/3 cups water
3 cans of assorted beans- I like to use one can black, one can kidney, and one can small red beans
seasoning:
1tsp crushed red pepper
2tsp chili powder
1tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste
a couple shakes of hot sauce or some cayenne pepper to spice things up!
-Heat olive oil in the bottom of a deep pot, add veggies, garlic and crushed red pepper. Saute until onions and garlic are transulcent. Add soy chorizo and diced tomatoes, bring to a simmer.
-Add can of crushed tomatoes, water, beans and seasonings, bring to a boil.
-Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 20minutes.
-Serve with tortilla chips (nonvegans can also add shredded cheese and/or sour cream!)
I love soy chorizo and any dish made with it. I also love dishes that I can make in bulk and freeze.
* Image is from Frieda's website! http://www.friedas.com/
It has been a rainy and chilly spring here in Boston, so I want to warm up with some of my delicious Vegan Chili.
Tashia's Vegan Chili (makes about 10 bowl size servings)
1 package Frieda's Soyrizo or Trader Joe's Brand Soy Chorizo
2tsp olive oil
1 green bell pepper- (diced)
1 red bell pepper (diced)
1 large yellow or white onion (diced)
2 gloves garlic, minced
1 large can crushed tomatoes
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 1/3 cups water
3 cans of assorted beans- I like to use one can black, one can kidney, and one can small red beans
seasoning:
1tsp crushed red pepper
2tsp chili powder
1tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste
a couple shakes of hot sauce or some cayenne pepper to spice things up!
-Heat olive oil in the bottom of a deep pot, add veggies, garlic and crushed red pepper. Saute until onions and garlic are transulcent. Add soy chorizo and diced tomatoes, bring to a simmer.
-Add can of crushed tomatoes, water, beans and seasonings, bring to a boil.
-Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 20minutes.
-Serve with tortilla chips (nonvegans can also add shredded cheese and/or sour cream!)
I love soy chorizo and any dish made with it. I also love dishes that I can make in bulk and freeze.
* Image is from Frieda's website! http://www.friedas.com/
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Work-it! Wednesday 5/18/11
To keep my posting frequent, I'd like to come up with some weekly features. The first one I've come up with is Work-it Wednesday!
I've been working as a recruiter for the past year and a half, and I will be starting a position in Human Resources at the end of this month, so why not work that into my blog? Work-it topics could include everything from office appropriate work-wear to resume and interview tips. This week I'm going with a fashion focus.
My current company has a pretty relaxed dress code. I only wear work-wear when I have in person interviews or career fairs, the rest of the time I can totally get away with jeans and flip flops. I'm expecting my new office to a bit more formal.
Work-wear can get expensive so for my first ever Work-it! Wednesday, I bring you a work look for less! this is a look for my first day, so it is a little more conservative than I usually dress. I want to make a professional and polished first impression!
I've been working as a recruiter for the past year and a half, and I will be starting a position in Human Resources at the end of this month, so why not work that into my blog? Work-it topics could include everything from office appropriate work-wear to resume and interview tips. This week I'm going with a fashion focus.
My current company has a pretty relaxed dress code. I only wear work-wear when I have in person interviews or career fairs, the rest of the time I can totally get away with jeans and flip flops. I'm expecting my new office to a bit more formal.
Work-wear can get expensive so for my first ever Work-it! Wednesday, I bring you a work look for less! this is a look for my first day, so it is a little more conservative than I usually dress. I want to make a professional and polished first impression!
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| Here's the more expensive look. I wanted to use jewel tones and a fun shoe. This Calvin Klein Dress is also available in plus sizes for the same price. |
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| I actually like these two pairs of shoes better, strictly based on comfort. This dress is 1/5th the price of the Calvin Klein version! I think I'll be buying this look! |
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Vacation- All I ever wanted.
In the midst of my job searching/ interviewing madness, the beau and I planned and took our first vacation together. His birthday was May 3rd and mine was May 5th, so we wanted to celebrate and escape the cold New England spring for a few days.
Since he hit the 25 years old -able to rent a car without extra fees- milestone we decided to celebrate by renting a car and driving to the Baltimore/ DC area for a few days. The trip was a huge sucess! It was sunny and in the 70s every day we were there.
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On the morning of my birthday we picked up our rental car and made the 7 1/2 hour drive to Baltimore. |
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| That night we went out in fells point with one of my best friends from college. We had delicious seafood and beers at Riptide by the bay followed by some rooftop margaritas. |
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| Friday morning we had delicious diner food (biscuits and gravy!) |
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Then we checked into a hotel (free with credit card points!) and went to the Museum of Natural History. That evening we took it easy and enjoyed some delicious small plates at Zaytinya, one of my favorite DC restaurants. |
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On Saturday we went to the Smithsonian Zoo with another good friend, had sushi at Raku for dinner, and went to Madam's Organ for drinks |
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| On sunday we had delicious sea food on sunny Solomon's Island |
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| I didn't want to go home! |
Monday, May 16, 2011
Blog Future, Life Future
Again it's been a long while since I made a post. Shame, shame shame on me! In my defense, I have had a lot going on in the two months since my last entry.
In early March my boss asked me what my last day on staff at my current job would be. I had been planning to leave at the end of the college recruitment season since last summer, but it kind of snuck up on me. Though I felt like she was shoving me out the door, having my boss ask me for a date I was planning to leave really lit a fire under my ass, so I hunkered down and did some serioussoul job searching.
I went into my job search with an idea of the kind of position I wanted: an administrative or human resources role with nonprofit organization with a mission I can get behind. After applying to what felt like dozens of positions, I finally landed an interview in late April. That interview lead to two more interviews, and finally a job offer! On Friday I accepted an HR position at a Boston-based nonprofit and I triumphantly gave my two weeks' notice.
This new job means a traditional 40 hour a week work schedule, so that means more time for blogging (or less excuses not to!). Since I'm going to have more time to blog, I'd like to have more fun with it. I want to take some of the things I like from my favorite blogs, and include them. Also, I got a new digital camera for my birthday. courtesy of my beau, so I will be able to do more. Expect recipes, restaurant reviews, and a lot of fashion.
Beyond more money, and more free time the thing I am most excited about is a grown up wardrobe. I'm going shopping this weekend to ad some summer workplace essentials to my closet. I'm a hourglass to pear shap. I usually wear a size 10-14 top (large or extra large), but I tend to run more of a 16W in pants and fitted skirts. This means I have to pull pieces from tradional sizes and plus sizes to find the right fit. Here are a few items on my wish list:
AGB Belted Sheath Dress- Macy's
Cherry Chiffon Top- Torrid
Crochet Trim Tee in Plummy Mummy- Old Navy
Chiffon Trim Cardigan- Old Navy
Butterfly Blouse- Forever 21+
Aztec Flutter Top- Forever 21+
Frilly Chiffon Dress- City Chic
Nude Flat- Payless
Black and White Polka Dot Pencil Skirt- Torrid
I love window shopping on plus size sites, because the models look so healthy compared to the typical emaciated size two. I chose items with fun prints and bright colors because 1. it's spring! and 2. my current career wear is a lot of black and solid colors.
What clothing items are on your work wear wish list?
In early March my boss asked me what my last day on staff at my current job would be. I had been planning to leave at the end of the college recruitment season since last summer, but it kind of snuck up on me. Though I felt like she was shoving me out the door, having my boss ask me for a date I was planning to leave really lit a fire under my ass, so I hunkered down and did some serious
I went into my job search with an idea of the kind of position I wanted: an administrative or human resources role with nonprofit organization with a mission I can get behind. After applying to what felt like dozens of positions, I finally landed an interview in late April. That interview lead to two more interviews, and finally a job offer! On Friday I accepted an HR position at a Boston-based nonprofit and I triumphantly gave my two weeks' notice.
This new job means a traditional 40 hour a week work schedule, so that means more time for blogging (or less excuses not to!). Since I'm going to have more time to blog, I'd like to have more fun with it. I want to take some of the things I like from my favorite blogs, and include them. Also, I got a new digital camera for my birthday. courtesy of my beau, so I will be able to do more. Expect recipes, restaurant reviews, and a lot of fashion.
Beyond more money, and more free time the thing I am most excited about is a grown up wardrobe. I'm going shopping this weekend to ad some summer workplace essentials to my closet. I'm a hourglass to pear shap. I usually wear a size 10-14 top (large or extra large), but I tend to run more of a 16W in pants and fitted skirts. This means I have to pull pieces from tradional sizes and plus sizes to find the right fit. Here are a few items on my wish list:
AGB Belted Sheath Dress- Macy's
Cherry Chiffon Top- Torrid
Crochet Trim Tee in Plummy Mummy- Old Navy
Chiffon Trim Cardigan- Old Navy
Butterfly Blouse- Forever 21+
Aztec Flutter Top- Forever 21+
Frilly Chiffon Dress- City Chic
Nude Flat- Payless
Black and White Polka Dot Pencil Skirt- Torrid
I love window shopping on plus size sites, because the models look so healthy compared to the typical emaciated size two. I chose items with fun prints and bright colors because 1. it's spring! and 2. my current career wear is a lot of black and solid colors.
What clothing items are on your work wear wish list?
Saturday, March 5, 2011
My Company is Famous!
Grassroots Campaigns, the company I have worked at for almost two years made Glenn Beck's chalkboard the other night. Although I don't always love my job, I think that officially makes us awesome. Watch the video!
Monday, February 14, 2011
I'm a Diva
*This entry is not for the squeamish. If frank discussion about menstruation is not your cup of tea, you might want to stop reading now...
It has been found that most women have heavier, longer, and more painful periods during the winter months, and I have definitely been feeling that this winter!
Did you know that the average woman will spend 3,500 days of her life menstruating? That's a lot of time... and a lot of tampons, pads, and pantyliners. In fact, world wide over 12 BILLION pads and tampons are used (and disposed) each year. These used pads and tampons go into sewage systems and landfills, polluting the earth. Pads and tampons have also been known to contain pesticides, chlorine, and formaldehyde. Bad for the earth, and bad for your vagina!
Two years ago I started using a menstrual cup, specifically the Diva Cup (pictured above), and I will never go back to tampons and pads. What is a menstrual cup you might ask? Well it is a funnel shaped cup made out of firm, but flexible material, like silicone. You insert it into your vagina during menstruation. Like a tampon, it is held in place by the muscles of your vaginal walls and collects your menstrual flow. Instead of absorbing the flow, like a tampon, the cup catches the flow.
This means that as a cup user you actually have to get up close and personal with your menstrual blood when you empty the cup, wash it and reinsert. The bright side is you only have to do this twice a day because you can leave the Diva Cup in for 12 hours! The down side is it can be a little messy and difficult to do in public bathrooms. I usually avoid this by putting it in right before I leave work in the morning and dumping/ cleaning it right when I get home.
Menstrual cups aren't for everyone. I have several friends who have tried them and have just not been able to get the right fit, others are grossed out by washing blood and clots out of the cup twice a day. Not me, I find it kind of fascinating. I've also found that I feel cleaner and happier on my period than I did with tampons or pads. I also spot less at the end of my cycle.
Using the Diva Cup has also saved me a ton of money. Instead of spending about $200 a year on tampons, I spend $35 every two years on a new cup. Plus the up-keep is super easy. You just wash it with soap and warm water (I use unscented feminine wash) and then boil it for about 5 minutes at the end of your cycle.
Moral of the story: if you have a vagina and haven't tried a menstrual cup I strongly recommend it. Your body, your wallet, and the earth will thank you:)
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