Pointless Ramblings about School

Today was my much anticipated first day of school! I never notice how much I miss school until I take a loong break. And, BOY, was this break a looong one! [[5 months]].

There is just something about the first day of classes and back to school shopping that puts me in a state of euphoria. My mom took my brother and I back to school shopping today. We spent 200 dollars. ON SCHOOL SUPPLIES. Mostly, it's because my little bro and I are very obsessive (OCD) so we like to buy a lot of post it notes (me) and pens (him). But this whole thing was just so much fun! We were being silly and having a blast together! It's been hard to get my brother in a happy mood for us lately, so this was much needed.

So, I got my new beautifully colored notebooks and folders and post it notes and PINK Breast Cancer Awareness pens. I packed them in my backpack and headed for school. I started at Orange Coast College today. It's a big change from Ohio State, and in typical Raewyn-fashion, I was freaking out! I didn't know where to park or where my class was, etc! I'm sure I was a hilarious sight to be seen.

But I made my way to the library, honestly, there is something that is just so peaceful and comforting about a library. I wish I spent more time in them! And I found my friend! She ended up petitioning my class (photojournalism). We are super stoked about this! Me because I'm a journalist and looove photography, her because she's a documentary filmmaker!

Our teacher is the photo editor for the LA times...which means yet another connection for me when I get out in the world! YAY! I need to impress him with my photography skills so I can get a job! Tomorrow I have Public Speaking, and then the next two days after that philosophy and cultural anthropology.

I don't know what it is about school, but it makes me feel so complete, like I have something to look forward to - I'm working toward something! I swear I'm always gonna be a student!

This entry was pretty much pointless, but I am just so excited for the opportunities a new semester brings! I hope everyone else has a good school year!

A little hiatus...

Hey guys! [[Although, I'm really not sure if anyone reads this regularly]]
My friend from Ohio just flew into Cali today so I'll be spending the weekend at her house with little access to a computer. But I promise, Sunday night will have a fantastic blog! I've got quite a lot of ideas floating around in my head.
Have a great weekend!

Money, Money, Money!

Hey guys!
I got my second guest write last night from my friend Britney. Recently she found a pretty cool way of budgeting and I know for a fact that all of us college kids out there are seriously unable to budget. However, it's a really cool website and absolutely free so even some of the "adults" could use it! Here's more:

Being 21-years-old is tough. I don’t want to complain. It’s also fun, but transitioning into the real world—not so much fun.

Approaching the end of college (well…), starting my first real job and attempting to deal with my bills is overwhelming. I’m also planning on moving out in the next couple of weeks and the whole process is completely unknown to me. I wish there was some kind of manual for acting like a grown up, but sadly I can’t find it online.

One of my biggest concerns, and I think everyone’s, is how to become financially independent when I make less money than I spend. I have come to learn that this is impossible—I know crazy right?

It’s not like I’m going out to bars every night and shopping all the time either. I’m talking about paying for gas, school expenses and groceries—very unglamorous. After accumulating credit card debt (that might have been slightly my fault, but Europe is a life experience and you can’t put a price on that!) and spending many a days in tears over the state of my finances, I have gotten a little on track.

In an attempt to be responsible, I have signed up for mint.com. The website keeps track of all your bank accounts, student loans, credit cards, car payments, etc. Did I mention it’s free? It also keeps track of where you spend your money. From what I understand from all the articles I read, this function is the secret to being moneywise—knowing where your money goes.

It has handy little pie charts to tell how much you spend each month on gas, food, shopping, and entertainment, whatever you want. It also compares how much you spent this month compared to what you spent over the last couple of months. The website lets you create budgets, so you can keep track everyday of how much you have left to spend.

When I first found mint, I was a little wary about giving up my usernames and passwords to all my financial accounts, but after researching it I feel secure in the site. Using mint has helped me make realistic budgets and in knowing where I spend my money I’m more conscious of it. I would recommend it to everyone. I mean I might still be poor— there is that little thing about having more bills than I make—but it isn’t out-of-control anymore. - Britney Barnes

P.S. Brit and I bought a lotto ticket on Monday, and I'm sad to report that we didn't win =[ Next time? ;)

Getting Involved - Better You, Better Community, Better Living

So, lately, I've had a little bug up my butt about volunteering. I just didn't know how to go about finding volunteer events because every time I've volunteered it's been through a group that I was a part of, or someone close to me was a part of. (For example, the American Sand Association, Girl Scouts, Crime Survivors, Dune Right, etc.)

Then the other day one of my best friends directed me to VolunteerMatch, where I found a lot of convenient ways to volunteer. I am so excited for my volunteer things to come, and in typical me fashion (which, if you haven't noticed is a little crazy), I'll list them out and tell you why you should help out! Or rather why I'm helping out. haha =]

ASA - Sand Sports Super Show Sept 18, 19, 20
Throughout high school, I volunteered at the Sand Sports Super Show every year at the American Sand Association booth to SAVE OUR DUNES! At heart, I lean toward environmentalist on the spectrum of my views of the world's health. However, when it comes to Glamis, the environmentalists are much more bureaucratic than about saving the animals in the sand dunes. So I joined the ASA, to save my favorite recreation AND in some way save the animals. The ASA isn't just about saving a recreation, it's about teaching the people who do go to Glamis about cleaning up, etc (we tried to start an organization called Dune Right for this particular purpose.)

The Orange County Children's Book Fair Oct 3
I love to read. I love teaching kids to read. I also think that there is not enough of an emphasis on reading in children's lives. The television and internet has slowing begun to usurp some good ole reading time. I'm not gonna lie, even I have fallen victim to these technologies. As a child, though, you could not pull me away from my books. It was so bad that if I got in trouble, reading could be and was taken away from me. I want to inspire this type of passion in children - and what better way to do that than helping at the book fair?! Sometimes all it takes is one favorite book to spark this passion!

CHOC Walk Oct 18
Every year, one of my besties, Michelle, does the CHOC Walk at Disneyland. Like any other "Race for the Cure" or fundraising Walk, you pay a registration fee and then set up a way to earn donations that will go to CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County). This year, since I will be in California and not Ohio, I've decided to join her. Assisting CHOC is very dear to my heart because CHOC took amazing care of Gregory whenever he was hospitalized. Check out the website, it really is an amazing cause.

In2Books, anytime
This is another organization that works toward helping children get into reading. The cool thing about this one is that it's done on your own time in your home. The way this works is you sign up and are matched up with a 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade student. Throughout Sept - June, you read a total of 5 books and discuss the books via email with your student. I am really excited about this one!!

Ronald McDonald's House, anytime
This has been my passion since 7th grade and it's SUPER easy! All you have to do is collect the Soda Tabs off any cans you have and turn them in to the Ronald McDonald House. They recycle these tabs and use the money to house the families of patients at CHOC and other hospital if they can't afford hotel rooms.

Make-A-Wish Foundation, anytime
Someday, I really want to make a wish come true. Gregory was granted a wish from this organization and to see the smile on his face that day, my heart melted. The Make-A-Wish foundation grants the wishes of children with a terminal disease. See what you can do to help! Companies can even do the wish together!


Of course there are so many other ways to volunteer! What are some of your favorites? =]