Well, I had a mutual agreement to NOT work at that dreadful office any more! They could tell I just wasn't taking it seriously... only because it was the most unchallenging and negative place I have ever been! It sucks cuz now I need to find a job for three months-ish but I am confident in finding something soon!
Being fired is a liberating experience. It was kind of like being in a bad relationship and trying to get the other person to break up with you... I don't know about you, but I've never been fired before-- it was a learning experience while it lasted, which is always the best thing. If you don't learn anything then it was hardly worth it!
I've learned that as a health care provider, I will actually care about the patient more than money. I will never talk badly about patients or their families.... It doesn't make for a good relationship. I hope to not have to work in an office for the rest of my life! I enjoy interacting with people and being out and about making a difference-- rather than attempting to follow orders of people who change their minds and moods daily!
I am so happy right now! I hope you can find this happiness in your life. It's not worth being angry or sad for too long... Let it out and let it go! I have found this to be the best philosophy for life in the past two months. I feel like an amazingly strong person (following a break up, the passing of my grandmother, and now losing a job). Find the strength in life! Live life to the fullest-- it's so not worth it to have regrets!
Thanks again for reading. Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
Besos (thats kisses in case you don't know spanish, lol)
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Budget
OK, if you are donating anything to me-- you probably want to see this first!
I am assuming I will need around $6,000-$9,000 depending on if I can stretch my budget and a few other factors. Here is the breakdown:
After working for the next couple of months, including my savings now, and subtracting all of my upcoming expenses while here and away, I should have about $3,500.
My car is one expense that I will have to pay for while I am gone. I thought about selling it, but I would be upside down on it and that would lose me about $1,000-- so its cheaper to just pay the payment while I'm gone!
Another upcoming expense that I will have to start paying in June is my school loans. I am going to try to consolidate, so hopefully that will bring the payments down some!
I have to pay my phone bill until I leave, as well as continue paying off my credit card. With all of this in mind, plus any other expenses (gas, food, etc..) in the next few months, this is where I get my $3,500 left over!
I am so lucky to not have much more to pay for! Thank god for parents and family!!!!
Next, my expenses in Cape Town (where I get my total to be $6-9 thousand)
My flight is the most Topsy-turvy expense right now because my dad and I are trying to figure out if I will be able to fly for the 90% off with other airlines that I would typically get if I wasn't turning 24 next month!!!!! Its making for a superb dilemma.
Worst comes to worse, I pay around $2000 for a round trip flight
Best scenario is I pay around $300 or possibly less! Hard to tell at this point!
Housing will be with the company in one of their rooms in one of their houses (they have 7). The cost is around $300 a month, so I am anticipating about $1,000
Average cost of food with making your own and eating out some is around $500 a month, therefore around $1,500 (mid-estimate)
I will have to pay for my transportation to an from the site every day, which is going to cost me about $80 a month... so around $300 (including city wide transportation)
I haven't looked into the travelers insurance yet.. not sure if I need it?
The rest of my program fee is $1,150
Excursions/entertainment and travel $1,500 (low estimate)
Possible 30 day visa extension $45
and if I have anything leftover, I desperately need a new computer to communicate with you all while I am away... hopefully using skype, email, facebook, and of course this blog!
Therefore my total comes to:
Highest without computer could be plus/minus $7,495
Highest with computer could be plus/minus $9,495
Lowest without computer could be plus/minus $5,795
Lowest with computer could be plus/minus $7,795
These are my oddball totals right now... don't know if they make sense or if I left anything out... if you notice let me know!!!
Therefore, with the $3,500 I should already have, I will need to somehow get (corresponding to above)
$3,995
$5,995
$2,295
$4,295
I am well on my way... my goal is going to be at least $6,000-- If I don't reach that goal then all will still be amazing-- it will all work out! I have already gotten my first $5 (yay Myra)- which is inspiring! Oh and my grandpa gave me $2 today, lol- so cute! If I go far and beyond my goal, then I hope to donate to charity! One in the states, more than likely in Colorado.
Thank You AGAIN and AGAIN
Love all!!!
Linds
new slogan= "$5 from 1,195 people!" haha
I am assuming I will need around $6,000-$9,000 depending on if I can stretch my budget and a few other factors. Here is the breakdown:
After working for the next couple of months, including my savings now, and subtracting all of my upcoming expenses while here and away, I should have about $3,500.
My car is one expense that I will have to pay for while I am gone. I thought about selling it, but I would be upside down on it and that would lose me about $1,000-- so its cheaper to just pay the payment while I'm gone!
Another upcoming expense that I will have to start paying in June is my school loans. I am going to try to consolidate, so hopefully that will bring the payments down some!
I have to pay my phone bill until I leave, as well as continue paying off my credit card. With all of this in mind, plus any other expenses (gas, food, etc..) in the next few months, this is where I get my $3,500 left over!
I am so lucky to not have much more to pay for! Thank god for parents and family!!!!
Next, my expenses in Cape Town (where I get my total to be $6-9 thousand)
My flight is the most Topsy-turvy expense right now because my dad and I are trying to figure out if I will be able to fly for the 90% off with other airlines that I would typically get if I wasn't turning 24 next month!!!!! Its making for a superb dilemma.
Worst comes to worse, I pay around $2000 for a round trip flight
Best scenario is I pay around $300 or possibly less! Hard to tell at this point!
Housing will be with the company in one of their rooms in one of their houses (they have 7). The cost is around $300 a month, so I am anticipating about $1,000
Average cost of food with making your own and eating out some is around $500 a month, therefore around $1,500 (mid-estimate)
I will have to pay for my transportation to an from the site every day, which is going to cost me about $80 a month... so around $300 (including city wide transportation)
I haven't looked into the travelers insurance yet.. not sure if I need it?
The rest of my program fee is $1,150
Excursions/entertainment and travel $1,500 (low estimate)
Possible 30 day visa extension $45
and if I have anything leftover, I desperately need a new computer to communicate with you all while I am away... hopefully using skype, email, facebook, and of course this blog!
Therefore my total comes to:
Highest without computer could be plus/minus $7,495
Highest with computer could be plus/minus $9,495
Lowest without computer could be plus/minus $5,795
Lowest with computer could be plus/minus $7,795
These are my oddball totals right now... don't know if they make sense or if I left anything out... if you notice let me know!!!
Therefore, with the $3,500 I should already have, I will need to somehow get (corresponding to above)
$3,995
$5,995
$2,295
$4,295
I am well on my way... my goal is going to be at least $6,000-- If I don't reach that goal then all will still be amazing-- it will all work out! I have already gotten my first $5 (yay Myra)- which is inspiring! Oh and my grandpa gave me $2 today, lol- so cute! If I go far and beyond my goal, then I hope to donate to charity! One in the states, more than likely in Colorado.
Thank You AGAIN and AGAIN
Love all!!!
Linds
new slogan= "$5 from 1,195 people!" haha
By The Way
I wanted to let you know that I will be posting a list of what exactly I need money for and what I really need... Please don't feel obligated to give anything... reading this is great of you!!!!
Besos
Besos
New York
You can view more pics on my facebook page
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I just returned from my wonderful weekend with my amazing friend Kate in NYC. My short journey began with a trip to Philly on Thursday night (silly overbooked flights to NY). It was awesome, though. I booked a hotel on priceline and got the Downtown Marriott for SUPER cheap! The room was great, but especially the gianormous bed with PILLOWS!!!! Yay for pillows, by the way. Whoever invented soft glorious pillows is a genius.
The next day I made my way from fantastic Philly to NY-- with a stop for a Philly Cheesesteak, of course! I took a bus from 30th street station to NYC for $11!!!!!!!! What a deal! One of these days I will go back to Philly to check it out. It seems like an amazing city with some great history and history in the making. Very very interesting....
Once I arrived in NY, I realized my phone didn't work... I guess that's what I get for choosing Cricket, huh? But it was my only option since I can't have a contract right now!!!!!!!! That made the trip very... don't even know what word to use... although it was awesome. No body could get a hold of me, which is always great, and I had to figure out how to do things the hard way-- which is how I like to do them!
NY was a blast and I am so happy I got to see my wonderful friend Kate. She is such a gracious and amazing person! We didn't do touristy things-- rather, we just hung out with friends and meandered the town. This made me want to be there even more! It is such a great place to explore and there is no way any one person could see it all in a lifetime. I highly encourage everyone to visit.
Some places and things that I really enjoyed this time around were:
This makes me even more excited to get to South Africa because of the diversity you find everywhere you turn. I can't wait to work with a diverse group of people at the clinic. It is going to be such an amazing experience. Thank you to everyone once again for your support! It means more to me than you know!
Do something great for someone else today!
.jpg)
I just returned from my wonderful weekend with my amazing friend Kate in NYC. My short journey began with a trip to Philly on Thursday night (silly overbooked flights to NY). It was awesome, though. I booked a hotel on priceline and got the Downtown Marriott for SUPER cheap! The room was great, but especially the gianormous bed with PILLOWS!!!! Yay for pillows, by the way. Whoever invented soft glorious pillows is a genius.
The next day I made my way from fantastic Philly to NY-- with a stop for a Philly Cheesesteak, of course! I took a bus from 30th street station to NYC for $11!!!!!!!! What a deal! One of these days I will go back to Philly to check it out. It seems like an amazing city with some great history and history in the making. Very very interesting....
Once I arrived in NY, I realized my phone didn't work... I guess that's what I get for choosing Cricket, huh? But it was my only option since I can't have a contract right now!!!!!!!! That made the trip very... don't even know what word to use... although it was awesome. No body could get a hold of me, which is always great, and I had to figure out how to do things the hard way-- which is how I like to do them!
NY was a blast and I am so happy I got to see my wonderful friend Kate. She is such a gracious and amazing person! We didn't do touristy things-- rather, we just hung out with friends and meandered the town. This made me want to be there even more! It is such a great place to explore and there is no way any one person could see it all in a lifetime. I highly encourage everyone to visit.
Some places and things that I really enjoyed this time around were:
- Havana Outpost-- great food, but even better outlook -- they are the first restaurant in NY to be fully run off of solar power and they recycle all of their water to use in the potty!!! Even better, its in Brooklyn!
- Columbus Square
- The subway and any other form of public transportation!
- JFK ( so far superior to LGA)
- Random street food
- Astoria (part of Queens)
- Brooklyn!!!
- McCarren Park in Brooklyn-- very near Kates place
- The Hudson Hotel
This makes me even more excited to get to South Africa because of the diversity you find everywhere you turn. I can't wait to work with a diverse group of people at the clinic. It is going to be such an amazing experience. Thank you to everyone once again for your support! It means more to me than you know!
Do something great for someone else today!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Good Times
Yay!
I made my deposit today to the company I am working with! (www.vacorps.com) Now they will go to the actual clinic and make sure everything there is ok and finalize the internship! Ahhhh!I am also STILL working on fundraising, duh! Please please let me know if you have any ideas to get money over the internet!!!!
Thanks!
I'm feeling good today, can't wait to go! Right now, time to pack to go see KATE!!! Yay! And of course watch the season finale of LOST!! What an evening!
PS Did you watch the little guy from Rawanda (Noah) singing on American Idol!!! So so awesome! Love it!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Fundraising- UPDATE
Here is one way you can start helping me out!!!! This is the online way to fundraising that I found... we will see how it works. If you don't want to use this, you don't have to! Thanks everyone!!!!
Love
Lindsay
NOTE: AFTER READING THE FINE PRINT, I REALIZED THAT THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE ME 10% OF WHATEVER DONATIONS I RECEIVE WITH THIS SITE. THEREFORE, I THINK I WILL JUST DO IT THE HARD WAY. IF YOU WANT TO HELP ME, THEN I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND YOU A SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE!!! NOT REALLY SURE WHAT ELSE TO DO. IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS, THAT WOULD BE GREAT! THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE FUNDABLE SITE ALREADY AND I AM REALLY REALLY SORRY ABOUT THE INCONVENIENCE!!! LOVE- LINDSAY
Love
Lindsay
NOTE: AFTER READING THE FINE PRINT, I REALIZED THAT THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE ME 10% OF WHATEVER DONATIONS I RECEIVE WITH THIS SITE. THEREFORE, I THINK I WILL JUST DO IT THE HARD WAY. IF YOU WANT TO HELP ME, THEN I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND YOU A SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE!!! NOT REALLY SURE WHAT ELSE TO DO. IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS, THAT WOULD BE GREAT! THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE FUNDABLE SITE ALREADY AND I AM REALLY REALLY SORRY ABOUT THE INCONVENIENCE!!! LOVE- LINDSAY
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Welcome!!!!
Hey Everyone!!!! Thanks for checking out my new South African Adventure Blog!!!!
I'm so unbelievably excited to say that I have been recommended the internship that I was dying to get! I am working with a company called VA Corps (www.vacorps.com) who provides internships to undergrads and recent grads in Cape Town, South Africa. My internship will be at the Imizamo Yethu Community Medical Clinic, located in (well, just outside) Cape Town, South Africa!!!!!!!!!!!
I will be working with an underprivileged community and according to the website, my "major responsibilities for this internship include processing patients, family planning and administering injections. Interns will also work in an observation role with the HIV nurse and will assist the other staff nurses with a variety of tasks. Once a week interns will have the opportunity to assist the pre-natal nurses who visit the clinic."
This is going to be a great opportunity to get some medical and nursing experience before I go to school for it. It is experience that I would NEVER be able to get in the United States because I am not yet trained for some of it. I also can't wait to visit another country as much more than a tourist. At this point in my life I feel that I can do anything! I have nothing holding me back or tying me down. This is the time for an experience like South Africa... Im in a transition period and before I settle down, I want to make sure nursing is truly what I want to do!
Departure time is set for late August and I plan on returning mid December. Hopefully my friend Braie will be coming with me! She is still trying to get a site for her internship!!!! Yay!
My first step is to pay my deposit.... That will be done within the next couple of days (Ugh Paypal!). After that, the wonderful program directors will send someone to the site to confirm the internship. Next comes the super fun part! Raising $money$
This is such an amazing opportunity. I feel so privileged and humbled to be able to do this. I only have one thing standing in my way... of course the bane of my existence-- money. I am starting this blog to first of all, raise some money and second, to tell you all about my experience while I am there! If you would like to make a donation, I will be setting up a site soon--probably using Paypal. I also have a jar at Park East, or you can always mail it to me!!!! Working for free and working in a 3rd world country has always been a dream... and now it is a reality! Thank you for your help!
"$5 from 2000 people is all I need!"
12 Malibu Ct.
Pueblo, CO 81005
Thank you all for your support!
Love,
Lindsay Riggio
PS Thanks again Myra for my first $5 donation!!!!! Yay!!!!
I'm so unbelievably excited to say that I have been recommended the internship that I was dying to get! I am working with a company called VA Corps (www.vacorps.com) who provides internships to undergrads and recent grads in Cape Town, South Africa. My internship will be at the Imizamo Yethu Community Medical Clinic, located in (well, just outside) Cape Town, South Africa!!!!!!!!!!!
I will be working with an underprivileged community and according to the website, my "major responsibilities for this internship include processing patients, family planning and administering injections. Interns will also work in an observation role with the HIV nurse and will assist the other staff nurses with a variety of tasks. Once a week interns will have the opportunity to assist the pre-natal nurses who visit the clinic."
This is going to be a great opportunity to get some medical and nursing experience before I go to school for it. It is experience that I would NEVER be able to get in the United States because I am not yet trained for some of it. I also can't wait to visit another country as much more than a tourist. At this point in my life I feel that I can do anything! I have nothing holding me back or tying me down. This is the time for an experience like South Africa... Im in a transition period and before I settle down, I want to make sure nursing is truly what I want to do!
Departure time is set for late August and I plan on returning mid December. Hopefully my friend Braie will be coming with me! She is still trying to get a site for her internship!!!! Yay!
My first step is to pay my deposit.... That will be done within the next couple of days (Ugh Paypal!). After that, the wonderful program directors will send someone to the site to confirm the internship. Next comes the super fun part! Raising $money$
This is such an amazing opportunity. I feel so privileged and humbled to be able to do this. I only have one thing standing in my way... of course the bane of my existence-- money. I am starting this blog to first of all, raise some money and second, to tell you all about my experience while I am there! If you would like to make a donation, I will be setting up a site soon--probably using Paypal. I also have a jar at Park East, or you can always mail it to me!!!! Working for free and working in a 3rd world country has always been a dream... and now it is a reality! Thank you for your help!
"$5 from 2000 people is all I need!"
12 Malibu Ct.
Pueblo, CO 81005
Thank you all for your support!
Love,
Lindsay Riggio
PS Thanks again Myra for my first $5 donation!!!!! Yay!!!!
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