Another March

Since this month marked my 30th year I thought I would fill you in on a mix of 30 interesting and no so interesting things about my life recently.  You’ll have to sort out for yourself which are which.

1. I got my taxes done this year through AARP at the senior center, now I see what my grandpa loves about that place.

2. My health insurance went up $80/month but with it came a free gym membership of my choice.  I joined the YMCA and am totally hooked.

3. Lobo basketball was still a favorite this year, until they lost in the first round of the tournament, again.  I really do not have the stomach to follow sports or politics.

4. I quit my job…sort of.  I told my boss that I was only staying until the end of June.  I mean then I’ll be out of vacation time so there is no motivation to stay on.  This does mean it’s everyone’s favorite time – tell Joy what to do with her life.

5. I’m thinking the job quitting will lead to moving from Albuquerque, I’m probably ready for that but I do know why it’s called the Land of Entrapment.  Empanadas and non-related friends.

6. Before I move from the state I’ll be moving from my house.  I told my roommate that if she found someone who wanted to move in before July I could move out earlier.  She found someone so now I need to figure out who gets the privilege of hosting me for a few interim months.  The cool thing is I regularly want to move out of my house because it is hard to live there without harboring negative, sin-ridden thoughts.  But God has finally brought me to a place where I can move without that being the motivation.  

7. I switched to drinking raw milk.  Why?  Because milk goes in tea and oatmeal and the pasteurized stuff spoils before I can finish off even a half gallon.  Raw milk doesn’t do this so really I’m saving money.  Plus, it’s really cool to get milk out of the back of a windowless van in the Kmart parking lot.

8. I got season tickets to UNM’s theater PopeJoy Hall.  They have travelling Broadway shows for super cheap.  So far this year I’ve seen Beauty and the Beast and Hello Dolly. Also, at a local community theater I saw CATS, it was weird when I saw it in 7th grade and it hasn’t changed.  

9. I’m going to England and Wales next week; isn’t that exciting!

10. I went to the dentist this month; I have very strong teeth (thanks?).  I have flossed more since that appointment than I have in my whole life combined.

11. I don’t ride the bus much, but I did recently and it really reminded me of my love for making small talk with strangers.  Hanging out at the senior center did the same thing.  So if you were wondering if working from a home office is a good fit for me, it isn’t.

12. I don’t like to waste things, I got a free bottle of shampoo that I hate and I keep using it. I bought a bottle of hippie shampoo to use as a celebration once I finish this one.  Yes, I realize this is completely ridiculous but I can’t help it.

13. I’ve had some conversations recently surrounding the topic of favorite household chores.  I think mine is dishes. That said, I wouldn’t be opposed to one of my roommates emptying the dishwasher…ever.

14. I am becoming known as the one to ask for advice about what to do with out of town visitors.  If you read the summary of when Julie and Cristina came to visit here you’ll see that my abilities as a tour guide really are spectacular.  Although, when businessmen at airports ask me for advice I really don’t feel like I have a lot to offer.  But then I realize, hey! I’m a business women so probably they too want to know about the Goodwill clearance center.  

15. Soon after I moved here I started the Anthony Norris Groves biography, I finished it this month.  That’s 2.5 years well spent.

16. Recently some men from church reattached my car to my bumper.  I paid them in cakes.  I paid the AARP men in cookies for doing my taxes.  I think society would be much better if I could always pay with baked goods and not mess with this money stuff.  Too bad my MBA didn’t require a thesis.

17. One day, in the mentoring program I run, we had a local artist, Amy Stein, do a workshop with our kids and she had all of us participate.  I was pretty proud of the charcoal portrait I was working on until she said, “Joy, don’t quit your day job.”  I stared at her blankly until she said, “you know I tell everyone that because making a living as an artist is really hard.” Um, OK lady, FYI that is not how anyone would interpret that statement.

18. The other day I had to make this potato dish to bring to a dinner, I Googled how to boil potatoes, and was quite embarrassed.  But really, willingness to work with potatoes is a new thing for me.

19. One day my friend Carrie in NY was like, “oh, hey, you should come visit.” And I was like, “well, I guess there’s no reason I can’t.”  One week later I was there. Here is an extremely NY picture of the two of us.

20. You know that joke, “so a girl walked into a bar…ouch!” While in New York I was that girl, and some scaffolding provided the bar and yes, ouch was the appropriate sentiment.  I hope my nose eventually goes back to its natural shape.

21. In January a grant request I had written was accepted contingent on everyone in our organization passing background checks.  No problem, right? Wrong.  Fortunately I was able to sweet talk the agency out of holding a 45 year-old drug trafficking charge against the woman who writes my paychecks.  She did offer to quit, but I really like getting paid.

22. My roommate and a co-worker both think it’s ok to have full conversations with me while I am in the bathroom.  It’s not. But how should I respond in those situations?  I mean I think Paul would let it happen.

23. I have a new nephew, I’m really looking forward to meeting him in a few months when he grows past the awkward newborn phase.

24. One of the unexpected pitfalls of turning 30 is having to think of 30 things to say.  I’ve been losing my wit.

25. But wait, my last update was in November so I can go back to Christmas.  Christmas was an exciting time; I was elected as children’s activity leader.  That’s right, a new generation of untalented family members is on the rise but at least they’re still adorable.

26. Fun January fact. Julie, Stella and I went to Oregon to visit our grandpa for a few nights.  That’s all I really have to say about that.

27. The other night I went to a party. I brought San Pellegrino and left at 10:15, I am really becoming quite the partier.

28. I used to question my father’s choice of buying oatmeal for breakfast, instead of the much better choice of say…a waffle with whipped cream.  But, alas, I too have made the switch; now going to breakfast is kind of a let down.

29. I don’t see myself as a particularly violent person but I kill houseplants.

30. I decided to end with a verse that has been particularly convicting in my recent life. “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Romans 13:14.  When I read this I was super frustrated by the whole “no provision for the flesh part,” which for me often means, “don’t say what you want to say right now or think what you’re thinking right now.”  These things are nearly impossible and really not fair.  But if I put 1st things 1st and don’t worry about my actions and rights but focus on Christ then He can take care of the rest.  

A November Greeting

Since those of us not in Hawaii, Arizona or Guam gain an hour this weekend, and you probably don’t know what to do with that excess, I thought I would take my time, and yours, to update you on the happenings of my life.

I last wrote in May, right after I graduated with my MBA (key takeaway – I’m done with school).  Since then I’ve been to California, Mexico, California, Florida, California and California but really I’m still living it up in New Mexico.

Mid-June I started a full-time job.  It’s the same job I was doing last year but, in theory, I’m doing more work.  I’m the associate director of an afterschool program and trying to get it to the point where I can walk away without looking back.  I work from home and set my own time and pace and tasks; so basically I end each day with the feeling of complete lack of accomplishment.  The good news is no one else wants to take any responsibility so they can’t hold it against me.    I’ve committed for a year, so 7.5 months to go!  I remind myself regularly that it is God’s provision for me.

Recently I picked up a second job as a freelance copyeditor (don’t judge my writing…when necessary I can use proper commas).  One of my professors from UNM asked me if I wanted to edit her papers before they go for publication and, since I can’t say no, I got a business license and can now bill the university for my services.  So far I’ve done two for her and this weekend one of her colleagues sent me one so maybe I’ll pick up some more clients as word spreads.  I like it because a) unlike my regular job the task consists of a well defined short term goal b)) I enjoy the work c) I can learn about things like how stock prices change in relation to CEO turnover, or why it is difficult for women to break into golf.  I’ve also discovered that I could go into business academia but it would be very challenging to find the eternal value.

My third, and most favored, job is still dog sitting.  I did it three weekends in October and have it for like 15 days November/December.  I was going to write specifically about what I’ve learned in graduate school and how it has prepared me for this dream job, but the connection is so obvious I didn’t want to insult your intelligence.

Other things are going on too. 

• I’m doing BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) with my friend Ellen and really enjoying studying the book of Matthew. 
• Last month was the hot air balloon fiesta, I don’t know if you heard about last year’s event and how my family came it was a flop, well this year was bound to be better!   Well…it wasn’t.  I did learn that actually nothing is that great when you have to be up at 4:30am in the 30* weather.  Evidently the morning after I went it was like 30 degrees warmer and during the mass ascension there was actually a mass ascension.   That aside, all fall long there are hot air balloons out in the mornings and they are really cool, especially when you see them while inside, drinking tea.  Here are pictures, the first from the comfort of the house where I dog sit, the 2nd I risked frostbite to take. 

• Thursday my sister and a sister-in-law (Cristina) are coming and that will be lovely.
• I now wake up at the perfectly respectable time of 7:15 every day and usually it doesn’t make me want to cry.  I think I’m growing up.
• For Halloween I strapped a silver triangle on my back, called myself a shark and had a fall craft night.  I forced everyone to make leaf garlands and on each leaf to write something they are thankful for, one for every day of the month.  Instant gratitude accountability.  What are you thankful for today?  I’m thankful that, although I was once not one God’s people I have now received His mercy (1 Peter2:10) and for my electric blanket. 

Graduation and next steps

In 2002 I was getting ready to graduate from high school and contemplating colleges.  I really wanted to go to Cal Poly with my sister and major in Party Planning aka Recreation Administration.  Instead I went to Davis for Sociology via Atmospheric Science.  Fast-forward 11 years to my graduation with my MBA, my advising professor came up to my parents to tell them how proud they should be of me, sure of my academic success, but really because of my role of Vice President of the business social club.  The president and I really took the Association of Graduate Business Students to the next level. Can you say full circle?  The next day, at my graduation party, they met my water aerobics instructor, he let them know that I am the best in the class, the one who follows directions (also the only student under 50).   So really I’m not sure why went to grad school but evidently I learned to throw a good mixer and follow directions – two very practical skills.  I also mastered painting my own nails since my budget cut out manicures.  

Here are pictures of me with my parents and with Julie and Stella, who flew out for my graduation.   

 

These are before I actually graduated so I’m not wearing my whole costume, but you can watch a fascinating video of me walking across a stage here: Joy Graduating and get the whole effect without the terrible speeches. 

Since graduation I’ve been in recovery mode and adjusting to a life without the guilt of procrastination. I’ve been working some at my same job but haven’t made that a very high priority (maybe tomorrow?).  On Friday I’m going to San Diego, then Mexico and Concord before I head back to Albuquerque on June 14^th.  Then I’ll start my job as Associate Director of the after school program I’ve been working for, MATCHnm.org.  I’ve gotten over the anxiety of working full-time again and trust the Lord will build in enough interaction with other people to keep me sane while working primarily from home.  My goal is to stay with that job for 1 year and then do something else, preferably in the Bay Area.  But that is total speculation.  I am really blessed to have a job lined up and am reminded of that whenever I talk to my friends who are in the search. 

Overall the land of enchantment is still enchanting and God has blessed me greatly.  I’m not quite sure if I’m old yet, but still I’ve been reflecting on Psalm 37:25 today: “I have been young, and now am old; yet have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendents begging bread.” 

Jesus is better than...

I spent Spring Break in Washington DC this year taking a weeklong course on all things political.  It was pretty balanced politically but basically I learned that big government, little government, or even compromise won’t create the perfect solution.  This is rather depressing EXCEPT then I remembered there is another solution that works perfectly and it is a heavenly government.  And some day it will happen and we won’t need healthcare because there won’t be sickness, and we won’t need to pay taxes because, well, Jesus already paid all that needed to be paid.    

Other things:

The UNM Lobo’s men’s basketball team is really good. Actually that might not be true but they somehow win a lot of games and one of the highlights of my semester was going to their home games.  On the other hand I’m glad I didn’t get into this earlier because the stress is just too much for me sometimes.   Now is March Madness and I hope I can handle it, I did just download the app so I can track the team.  Go Lobos!  But Jesus is better than the Lobos winning.

I graduate in less than two months. WHAT?!?  I know time flies, and then you have to do something else with yourself.  I do have a job currently and yesterday they offered me a fulltime position.  The offer made me want to cry (not from excitement) and that probably isn’t the right response.  Basically I have no desire to work fulltime, and working fulltime from home would most likely drive me crazy.  So if you have some other amazing idea for me please share, it’s called “networking” up until the point when it becomes “harassing.”  On a side note one of my professors just tried to talk me into going for a PhD, she asked me if I like writing because there’s a lot of that involved.  I wanted to ask her if her writing requirements are similar to blogging, I have a feeling they’re not.  But Jesus is better than the perfect job.

I’m still working 1) brightening the lives of our children’s futures with crazy people at MATCHNM.org 2) being a graduate assistant for a professor on campus, she is actually currently my favorite person because she rarely has any work for me to do and I still get paid 3) doing computer work for my old job in San Ramon 4) doing computer work for my parents to cover my cell phone bill 5) dog-sitting.  But Jesus’ work is better than mine.

Spring Break wasn’t all depressing politics. I got to stay with my friends the Handfields for most of the time learning all about raw milk and Curious George’s trip to the hospital.  I also got to go to New York for all of 48 hours and force the Suns to celebrate my birthday with me by eating way too much dessert (if there is such a thing).  We also saw Spider-Man the musical and, if you can get past the bad music and plot, it was quite entertaining.     But Jesus is better than Spider-Man and Curious George combined.

I’m attaching a picture of a group of us girls from New Mexico in front of the Washington Monument.  It’s more exciting than my stalker photo of Paul Ryan. 

Christmas Letter

I was going to write a Christmas letter about myself but then I realized I’m really not that noteworthy.  Instead you’re getting a reminder about something much more exciting: Emmanuel, God with us: 

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people…to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide us to the path of the peace.” Luke 1:68 & 79

So this Christmas I rejoice in the reminder that in spite of the darkness all around us, God, in the form of Jesus, came to earth to save us and show us the way of eternal life.

an update on recent happenings

Hello again, and Happy December!  You may wonder why I haven’t written since way back in August…I have two words for you-- grad school.  Even though UNM is probably one of the least stressful MBA programs around, between that and working and planning business school happy hours, and church potlucks I run out of time. But that doesn’t mean I’m not perpetually sending you mental updates.  Now I have the task of summarizing the last 3.5 months in less than 3.5 months. 

I’m officially 75% finished with grad school and will graduate in May! Today I’m starting Christmas break with a flight to Orange County to catch up with some truly lovely people before heading back to Concord on Monday where I’ll chill until sometime in January. Hopefully I’ll get to see some of you while I’m gracing the golden state with my presence.

This will be my first time back to CA since August and I was feeling all lame about never going anywhere but then remembered I went to AZ in October and PA in November so I haven’t exactly been bound to Albuquerque.  My Arizona trip was preceded by my sister et al. and my parents coming to visit.  Theoretically they came for the International Balloon Fiesta but I will spare you the details on that disaster.  After a week with them in New Mexico we went to the Grand Canyon.  They all think I’ve been there before but I had absolutely no recollection of that so I was completely awestruck. I’ve attached a picture of Julie and baby Stella and myself (Stella was obviously thrilled to be there).  PA was great too, I stayed with the Grieco’s and they have college-aged children so weren’t shocked by my wake-up time (plus I saved them money since they didn’t have to feed me breakfast and lunch).

Work is interesting.  If you recall, I started working with a man who is in the early stages of developing a mentoring and tutoring program.  I’m learning a lot about start-ups, and Judaism and teamwork.  Yay. About once a month I consider quitting but I’m quite confident that God plopped this job right in my lap so I need to keep it (plus I get paid).  Next semester I’ll still be working for him and also be a research assistant for one of the professors on campus (they pay for tuition!).

What else to say…the weekend before last I hosted a Christmas party. I made a pot of soup (gasp!) and cider and people brought over way too many cookies.  My roommate Raquel and I both pulled out our fancy bow sweaters (another reason why we shouldn’t shop together) and took this lovely picture.

Evidently you don’t have to be a citizen to get a New Mexico driver’s license; we’re very non-discriminatory like that.  That’s all fine and dandy for driving but the feds doesn’t like it so maybe starting in January my NM driver’s license won’t be proof enough for any federal agencies such as TSA.  Basically that question, “do you need a passport to go to New Mexico?” will soon be answered “no, but you do need one to leave.”   

On that note, MERRY CHRISTMAS, I hope you’re able to reflect this year on the amazing love God demonstrated by sending His Son (and keeps demonstrating through His Holy Spirit).

5 jobs, a vice presidency and a 1st anniversary

In a few days it will be one year since I moved to New Mexico.  This is especially exciting because it means I get to pay in-state tuition for the classes I start Monday! I’m taking 4 classes this semester and have my scheduled set so I only have to be on campus Monday and Tuesday evenings.  Maybe it’s weird that my first time commitment Monday’s is 7pm, but I’ve been finding plenty of extra-curricular activities to prevent laziness.

One of these extra-curricular activities is I am now the Vice President of Associated Graduate Business Students (AGBS).  Officially this is an elected position but close examination of the voting process may bring up some issues of credibility.  Anyways we have 25k to spend on planning mixers that usually 15 students come to.  What does this mean for me? a) my professor this summer called me Vice President Eklund b) I got a free breakfast this morning c) I’m getting a free dinner tomorrow night…actually I anticipate a lot of free meals in my future.

Since AGBS only pays in free meals and swag, I have collected an assortment of paying jobs as well.

1)   Dog/house Sitting aka Paid Living:  I don’t actually know the home/dog owners but they have a hammock in the backyard and buy M&M’s from Costco.  I’m not sure why I’m in business school since I’ve already found by dream job.

2)   House Cleaning: While house sitting I met the neighbors and, over a prime rib dinner, the lady offered to hire me to do some house work and organizational assistance.  I am really bad at saying no, but she did turn on CNN for me while dusting so it was educational.

3)   Dowd and Guild: I just can’t get away from them but that’s ok, I have moved past deleting old emails and onto cleaning up files.  Theoretically I can do all of this while watching TV but I’ve yet to even work TV watching into my schedule. 

4)   Diaper Bank of New Mexico: I somehow got connected with this cowboy hat wearing real-estate agent who wants to start a diaper bank in the area.  I’m supposed to help her get 501(c)(3) status, something I’ve never even kind of done.  Fortunately she’s been a slacker getting me necessary information so I don’t have to feel really bad about not doing anything.

5)   MATCH, New Mexico: This is the job I got at the end of May when God just handed it to me over a lovely lunch.  MATCH is a program, at this stage, that pairs 3^rd grade students with college-aged mentors who donate their time in exchange of a generous stipend.  Ideally this will actually happen in the Santa Fe area in January.  It’s a start-up program so I’ve been learning a ton about what it means to actually get an organization off the ground from writing business plans to branding to curriculum development.  I work with a group of liberal, practicing Jews between 60-80 years old, so that has been an embedded learning experience.  Every day is different but I also get free food there too, sometimes random things like packs of lamb chops.  But really that’s $13 I don’t have to spend next time I want lamb chops.

I have other jobs too that are much more difficult.  Like making sure I’m daily living submitted to God’s will for my life. And loving people. And not getting frustrated that no one eats my potluck contributions (I’ll be eating a lot of orzo salad this week).  And not using my busyness as an excuse to live in isolation. And not putting my light under a bushel. And getting out of bed.  And not being a hypocrite.  And watering my dying vegetable garden. 

So with “real” jobs getting a professional mentor is all popular right now.  The good news is I can get one for these other jobs too, 3-in-1 really.  And through a relationship with this strange Trinity all these things can fall into a sane and rewarding order.

love, joy