Bloggin with style!

After mourning the loss of my PC Stanley, I've decided it was time to take the plunge and move forward.

Guess what I got? Hint: It's a tool I've always dreamed of. Have you guessed correctly? No?....Okay, I'll just tell you. I got a new laptop! But not just ANY laptop. It's a laptop I've only owned in my happiest of dreams. It's a......drum roll please:

My dear dad was finally the one who convinced me to take the plunge. (After my stepmother, her best friend and my brother's attempts were not breaking me) Besides, I was in Best Buy staring at this master of creation. I couldn't say no. (I'll admit it, being on an interest free payment plan also helped in my decision.) After about 20 minutes of buyer's remorse (which consists of my usual worry wart ridiculousness and panic) I came around to being the giddiest woman on the planet. The second that baby booted up the nerd in me was ecstatic. 7 hours of battery life! Awesome programs! No viruses! High speed! The keys glow in the dark! It's glorious.

Stanley who? I can't recall. Say hello to, well...Mac. I know. How original. "Oh Katie," you must be saying, "Tell us how you really feel." No problem. Since I can't put my true feelings into written word at the moment (a rarity), here is my face:

I can't wait to catch up on all of your blogs again and get back to writing. It truly makes my day complete.

Movin on up! (Not to the East Side, but up just the same)

Oh blog, I have missed you. I feel like I'm neglecting you like a redheaded stepchild. No more, I swear. I can tend to you now.

Want to know why?

It's been difficult to keep this under wraps, since I've needed to for about a week or so, but I can finally say it: I have found employment! Want to know even better news? It's FULL TIME employment! One of the jobs that I had been hoping for did not come through, but another one did just in the nick of time, and I will love this job. I get to be surrounded by my favorite creatures (dogs) all day long, as well as people. My future employer is just lovely, and the business is located in a cute little town. I wouldn't mind getting an apartment in that area at some point, let me tell you. It's adorable.

After endless searching (before and after Hawaii) on Monster, Yahoo Jobs and applying to official websites of large companies, what worked for me was hitting the local wanted ads. It's something I don't think occurs to 20 something job hunters like myself (and I'm including myself in this), but that was the best result.

I have obtained so much knowledge and confidence during my Hawaii journey, I applied it in life at home as well. Be confident. Be self-assured. Be positive. Be yourself. Volunteer if you can, it's so rewarding. Lastly, keep going. Don't give up, there's something out there for you.

House update: Most of the major work is finished. Thanks Ginny, James, Erin, Amanda, Christine and so many others! You guys did things I wasn't able to do or wasn't here for. Just wanted to let you all know how grateful I am. I think there's some cosmetic stuff needed to do left. (refinishing the hardwood floors and such) then I will be on my way.

Gulp.

Remember that whole confidence thing I mentioned just seconds ago? I keep giving that to myself, like a shot. Moving out is a little bit scary. I suspect it will also be rewarding however. It's amazing what perspective distance can give you. If I can travel alone (without parents) 6,000 miles away, I can do this too. I think it's change that spooks me, and yet I love adventure. What I have to do, is tell myself that this is another adventure, rather then that scary word CHANGE. Adventure sounds a lot more cool. It also makes me excited.

Writing update: I have decided I would love to write a whole lot more. I'm going to a Freelance Writing workshop and taking some classes. It's a hybrid class (online so it doesn't affect work) and in NYC on my days off. Looking forward to seeing what new doors I can open for myself.

Computer update: I'm going to be setting aside money for a new laptop, because while Stanley the PC held on for a little while longer when I arrived home, he has finally sputtered and died. My model was the HP Pavilion Dv4, and I'm starting to read other nightmare scenarios online about this computer. Such a shame, but it's time for a new one. The library is a nice place, but I'm sick of spending a lot of time here.

And finally, thanks to all of YOU for reading my blog. You have no idea what world you have opened for me. I love reading your blogs too. It gives me confidence to try even more new things.

You might be wondering why I've been MIA.

Or not. But I'll tell ya anyhow.

Well, first of all, I've been out and about seeing as much as I can before I leave the islands. (wow is it that time ALREADY?) Second, is this not so charming news:

My computer--one that's barely 2 years old--has sputtered on me and died. As in, deader then a doornail. I've managed to place a back up, VERY temporary disk in place, to get into programs like Windows 7, and get onto blogger if I'm lucky. Most of the time, when I turn on my computer, I get a black screen and nothing else. Also, my caps lock key keeps blinking. Don't know what's that about. The cause of this is being narrowed down, but the Geek Squad guys and a lovely Hawaiian local computer store owner both think that my hard drive and motherboard is shot. Why this has happened is unknown. Geek Squad says it'll cost hundreds to fix. (about as much as my laptop cost in the first place) Local computer owner says it can't be fixed at all, to cut my losses, and get my Hawaii pictures saved ASAP.

This is not the first problem with my laptop. (brand shall remain nameless) The first time, the hard drive crashed. Got a new computer under warranty. The second time, a virus got through my firewalls and wiped out my hard drive. Had to get a new hard drive. (not under warranty) the third time, ANOTHER virus got through my Norton and destroyed the whole damn thing. My awesome Brother-in-Law spent weeks trying to get rid of the virus, then put in a new hard drive and Windows 7. I almost feel bad to say this is now the fourth issue, since Dave put so much work into bringing Stanley back to life. (yes he has a name) Tech support wants $800 dollars to fix Stanley, and $300 for "consultation" which they will reimburse. (snort.)

I think it's slowly time to save for a new laptop entirely. Even if this guy gets fixed (doubtful honestly) I'm afraid our relationship is strained at this point. You see, I always end up footing the bill, and on top of that, he keeps leading me on into thinking he's a good computer. No sir, I am not stupid. You don't even return my phone calls.
I'm breaking up with you Stanley. It's time to move on.

P.S. I want my CD's back.