When I grow Up

A few days ago I was listening to a radio program about people calling to mention what they wanted to be when they grew up. Gosh I can recall so many different jobs - a vet, teacher, a Radio DJ when I was in high school or even be a world traveler writing shoestring on a budget books for young adults. Any of these positions I would have loved to go into but either it wouldn't pay enough or it would require math/science (which I don't like!). Since I graduated from Augsburg I have worked in various industries: telecommunications, legal services, higher education, a CPA firm, social media agency, and various self employment.  I thought it was fun trying out various jobs to see what I would like - but I am still trying to find that position that scream "Katie this job is for you!" Does that job exist? In 2011 I started my own dog sitting business, YourpuppyNanny and even though I didn't have a lot of clients - I had a passion for dogs and taking care of them. Ok I didn't thrive with loads of cash - but I was happy! When I was a nanny watching other people's kids that was a blast! But that didn't foot the bills as my parents would probably say. I can say one thing I am doing now that I am PASSIONATE about is continuing my social media work for SocialNicole LLC.

I have come to that point of time in my life - where I think I should start focusing on saving for my retirement and be financially responsible.  Never in my life have I bought elaborate things. I am always careful with my money - I always pay off my credit card and continue to pay my student loans. 

But when does it come in life where you want to follow your passion - but it doesn't pay great. I don't know how my parents would think of that. In America you need to secure a good job to have great healthcare and 401K etc.

Sometimes I wonder what if I did this again.....

One Year ago - from Today

One year ago today (May 15, 2012) I arrived to England on an adventure with a certain amount of money, no job prospects and knowing nobody besides Craig.  During my time here there has been ups and downs, but Craig has been my rock and kept me sane from this journey (Hey it has been really tough!). Everyday I get excited I have made this jump but it has been hard being away from family and friends. During my year I have been able to pursue different jobs and met many great people.  I really don't know what it would be like if I decided to live down in London per say - as I bet my money would drain out.  I am proud to say I haven't gone bankrupt! Ok so these jobs don't pay the greatest wages but I am getting experience.  I don't know where this journey will take me - but I embrace my options. A few good friends of mine who worked here (from Pakistan) enjoyed being here - but family is who they missed the most. As my readers may not know I am an only child and my parents are my rock! I don't want to get sappy here.  I am so happy to have shown them I am capable of finding work on my own.

Let the journey prosper as I go forward.....

I'm Back!

Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't posted since I left for my grandmas funeral - but things have been quite busy for me. My flights went great - I didn't have any problems! Craig met me at the airport.

Here are pictures mom took of my family relatives:

Uncle Bobby

Cousins: Steen and Anamarie

Moi

Mom and I

Uncle Bobby and I

Uncle Bobby and I

Steve Gangstead and I

Renee and I

Renee and I again

Aunt Barb and cousin Jane

Aunt Virginia, Me and Aunt Jane

Aunt Jane and I

Jane and I

Aunt Jane and I

Cousin Time: L to R - Me, Amy, Lisa, Anamarie, Jane and Steen

L:R - Uncle Peter, Mom, Aunt Jane and Uncle Bobby

One of the many floral arrangements for Nina's funeral

Sharon and Jerry (Jerry is Nina's nephew from Texas)

Amy and Paula

Detour

Hello Online world! Sorry I haven't written any posts lately but my grandma just passed away recently so I had to make an emergency trip back to home.

I wanted to insert the obituary but this computer doesn't have the snippet tool

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/startribune/obituary.aspx?n=hortense-marie-shober-larson&pid=164321353#fbLoggedOut


I will be returning back to England on Friday and plan to continue my job search.

Saturday

Hey friends! What a fun day Craigy B and I had.

First we went to the post office because he had a package to collect - then we went grocery shopping (not really exciting).
We then came back home to put away the groceries and put the wash outside to dry (something we don't really do back home but it is a good idea!) We then headed to Hardwick Park - we have been there before but wanted to go again for a nice stroll along the pathway + we brought our kindles too.  We then had a slice of cake (mine was gluten free so wasn't so heavy and caloriefic)

We weren't really sure what we would be doing in the afternoon but one thing for sure I told him I didn't want to go back home yet! So we headed back on the roadway to Middlesbrough (Where Craigy B comes from). We went to various stores for bits and bobs.

• We bought a bathmat for the shower 
• He purchased jars for baking ingrediants 
• He bought some socks and a Living the Dream sign from NEXT
• I bought some Olive Oil conditioner for my hair
• We bought pop sickle molds 
• We had the chance to pop into an American candy shop and Craig tasted his first Twinkie.
• I bought some exfoliating pink gloves 

  I mentioned to him because we didn't take out anything from the freezer why  not have dinner out?
He said that was fine and we headed back over to where Cineworld & Nando's is located.  Starters is the name of the restaurant and their main focus mainly is around sharing dishes like tapas.  We ordered 3 dishes with 2 sides.  Our menu order was thus:

• Bang Bang Chicken with yummy veggies in a Chinese style sauce with peanut butter flavoring
• Pork Spring Rolls with Thai Chili sauce 
• Japanese Katsu curry - with rice and peas 
• Chips and delicious onion rings

We had a great experience and left very full! Our next mission was to get home by 7pm to watch the premier of Britain's Got Talent. We made it with time to spare - we rushed just in time to collect all of our clothes from the washing line as it had started to rain.    While Craigy B washed up I watched BGT - then we watched the Cube - and ended off the evening by watching Get Him to the Greek starring Russel Brand and Jonah Hill.

Goodnight world and a new blog to come for Sunday!

Orange Wednesday

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't posted lately but I have been busy applying for jobs.

I just wanted to share this funny  movie Craig and I saw. Melissa McCarthy is so funny!

Saturday April 7 2012

This is a post to recap my fun time I had with Craigy B. Yesterday after breakfast we got in Scarlett for a long drive - Craig wouldn't tell me where we were going.  I has a small hunch we would be going to the beach as it was very sunny on Saturday.  We ended up in Whitby which I haven't been to in 8 years (I went with York St. John International Students in 2005) and we spent the whole day there eating fish n chips, playing in the arcade, walking to the lighthouse and on the pier, and just enjoyed the fresh air! We walked around the Rescue Lifeboat Museum and purchased a great souvenir which now belongs in the bathroom:

All photos below are taken by Craig

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Steam Train

Rescue Lifeboat Museum