Boujee On a Budget

Grad School, Uncategorized, University of Pittsburgh

Last Grad Class of the Semester

April 23, 2019April 24, 2019by Boujee On A BudgetLeave a Comment

Today, I attended the volunteer luncheon at the Petersen events center for the PhD Commencement Ceremony. I walked to the Pete with Brian, who is also a graduate admin. Once we arrived into the Pete, we took the escalator up to the second floor, and then got into the elevator to go up to the campus view club. They had lunch for us. I ate Chicken Florentine, a little mushroom ravioli with a salad. We sat a table with someone from the Grad Dean’s office. This was her first time volunteering. This was my second time volunteering and Brian’s 3rd. I helped out at couple events for Pitt, so it was cool to connect with the friends I have in the Office of Special Events. 🙂

After lunch, we had to report to our designated areas for training. Stacy, from Special Events recognized me and gave me a hug. She thanked me for volunteering and was so happy to see my name on the list of volunteers. 🙂 Stacy explained our position and how we are to report to our stations at 4:15pm. The lunch or early dinner would be served at 3pm. I was in the same position as last year. I as working with the person from the Grad Dean’s office and was responsible for lining up the Arts and Sciences graduates. It is cool to be apart of.

After training, I went back to the office. I had my last Student Development Theory class tonight. My group was going to meet me in my office at 4pm to go over our presentation and make sure we were good to go for class tonight. I was ready to get the semester over with and go home.

After finalizing our presentation, we went up to class. I walked into the class room and sat next to my friend Julia. I looked at the board. They were playing hang man. I laughed a little. You could tell everyone was so over the semester and ready for summer.

Our professor, Max walked in and saw the hangman and it said, “We Love Student Stories.” Max had this smile on his face and he was laughing. I snapped a quick picture of him in front of the board.

When it came time to present our student stories, my group went first. I wanted to be done. He liked our presentation and two people had questions for us including Max. He asked about our model and he said, we did a great job! I am so glad to be done.

After our presentation, 5 more groups presented and then he wished us a happy summer! I am excited to see my grade.

In the fall, I will see Max for Internship. I am looking forward to next semester, but I am excited to relax for the summer!

Family, In-Laws

Easter

April 21, 2019April 22, 2019by Boujee On A BudgetLeave a Comment

This morning we got up and had coffee and got ready to go to his parents. My parents were meeting us over there. I was so excited to have our family together for Easter. We didn’t go to church, perhaps next year.

When we arrived at his parents’, I stayed back to help, and Drew went to go pick up his great aunt Tootsie. I had two more cups of coffee, but I was still so sleepy. The weather was kind of dreary too. It wasn’t as nice as yesterday.

Aunt Tootsie and Drew arrived before my parents, and we ate dinner about 2:30pm. There was ham, kielbasa, baked pineapple, potatoes, green bean casserole (we made it and brought it over), stuffed cabbage, and deviled eggs. There was so much food.

After dinner, we sang Happy Birthday to my mother-in-law. She is 59. She doesn’t look 59 at all. It was nice to have everyone together around the table.

Boujee on a Budget

New Hair Salon

April 20, 2019April 22, 2019by Boujee On A BudgetLeave a Comment

Yesterday, I was bound and determined to try to find a new hair salon. I did not want to go to the one I normally go to. I wanted to try some place different, even if that meant paying a little more. I called around Friday morning and everyone was booked up for Saturday. I desperately needed my hair done my last call was to Michael’s Hair Loft. They had an opening at 9am, which is what I needed. I booked the appointment with Misty. I was so excited a new salon and a new hair stylist.

This morning, I woke up early and got a shower. I made some coffee and hung out with Drew for a bit, then I left and went to my hair appt. I was so excited. When I arrived, I was greeted immediately by Misty. I introduced myself and she took me back to her station. I took my hair out of my ponytail and I had some serious regrowth in the back and probably needed a trim. I explained to her that I usually get all over highlights, but I like the dimensional blonde and not all one blonde. She said that she will pull some pieces and had some dimension to them, but keep me mostly blonde. Then she said, how about the roots. I said, Well I like the rooty look, so when the highlights grow out it doesn’t look too streaky. She said, I totally agree with you. We can do that. Then I asked her if she uses bleach or olipex. She said, I will show you. It is a brand called illusionist they have the color and the toner. I said, awesome. I prefer no bleach. She said, not a problem. We decided on layers and a little trim at the ends.

Honestly, I have been getting my hair done since I was 15. I started with highlights. I longer hair, and the hair dresser at the time pulled my hair through a cap and gave me bleach high lights. Sure I was bleachy blonde, but the high light process hurt when my hair was pulled through a cap. She refused to do foils. I changed salons and went to another salon that did foils, which I have been dedicated to for the most part, but I did stray and go to Ulta (too pricey) and then to the Cutting Edge Salon (Stephen moved to Florida). I know my hair products and proper hair care.

After she applied the foils and the color to my root, I sat under the dryer, which was a high tech heat lamp. We talked about the weekend and Easter. After my color was set, she took me to the sink and she washed my hair, and took the foils out. I was so excited to see what it looked like, but it’s hard to tell when your hair is wet, if you are a blonde. The anticipation was killing me! I couldn’t wait for her to dry it. She trimmed me up and gave me layers. I already felt lighter and so much better.

After she finished trimming my hair, she blew my hair dry and round brushed my hair. I absolutely loved the color! It was gorgeous and exactly what I wanted. I was so happy I almost teared up. She was glad that I loved it. After my hair was styled and dry, I decided to get my eye brows colored. I never had it before, and I hate having to fill in my eyebrows. She took me into her relaxation room and put on some peaceful zen like music and I laid down on the table, and she colored my eyebrows and waxed them. I was so relaxed.

When she was done, she handed me a mirror and I was like I love them! I have eyebrows. She said, “your husband is going to have to take you to dinner tonight.” I said, I know right someone better. 🙂 When it was time to check out, I booked my 6 week appt. I was so happy. I excited for my next appt!

When I got home, I finished my legal paper and submitted it. I am so ready to be done with the semester. When Drew came home from the gym, he said, “I like your hair baby.” I smiled and said, “Thank you.” We talked about the end of the semester and what he wanted to do for dinner since tomorrow is Easter. He said, “We should probably go out.” I asked him where he wanted to go? do we have any gift cards anywhere? He said, “I don’t think we have any left.” I said, “We have that coupon for Plaza Azteca.” He said, “We could go there.” We got ready to head to dinner around 5pm to beat the dinner crowd.

We were seated at a table and I ordered the same thing I always get the Burrito Espinaca. We also had guacamole as well. I love Mexican food. After dinner, we went to the mall, we had to get his mom a birthday card. We also wanted to get her a gift card to Philip Pelusi where she gets her hair done.

Then we stopped into Hot Topic, and they had t-shirts on sale buy 2 get one free. Drew and I bought shirts for the new Avengers movie. I bought a Captain marvel shirt. The 1 free shirt I got was a Britney Spears shirt. It was her album cover from “Oops I did it Again.” I can’t wait to wear it! I was thinking about wearing it for Easter dinner tomorrow, but I probably won’t. 🙂

After the mall, we went home and watched tv, until it was time for bed. Tomorrow is Easter!

University of Pittsburgh

Wednesday

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019by Boujee On A BudgetLeave a Comment

This afternoon, I got to meet three University of Pittsburgh football players. Marquis Williams on the left, and Paris Ford on the right. This is probably the best part of my job.

Also, I got to meet Maurice Ffrench.
I have more pictures to add to my Pitt board!

In the afternoon today, I met with a graduate student in my department. I met with her yesterday for the first time. She wanted to go over a plan to meet her milestones. She brought me flowers. I was so touched and so grateful.

Robert Morris University

RMU Incoming Student Event

April 13, 2019April 17, 2019by Boujee On A BudgetLeave a Comment

Around 11am I arrived on campus. I stopped at the book store and got two shirts. I need to up my RMU professional gear. They had a sale going on 25% off.

After the bookstore, I went back to my car and put my bag in the back seat, then I got a coffee at Romo’s. After I got my coffee, I reported to Student Life and waited for Maureen, the Assistant Dean of Students.

When Maureen arrived, I helped her set up the Student Life table, right outside of the Admissions office. I love talking to incoming students and their families. I mentioned how Airband was last night. I also explained what Airband is. I talked about how we have 120 clubs on campus and the different activities.

At one point, when there was a break in the crowd, Maureen told me this was my thing! I couldn’t agree with her more. I love talking to students and their families. right before we took down the promotional materials. I was talking to an incoming student and her family. The mom asked me what sorority I pledged to? I laughed a little and told her I was 31 years old. She said you are so young and enthusiastic. You look so young. I said thank you!

After we took down the promotional materials, I took some to my car. I am going to be helping out at the transfer student event on the 27th. I am passionate about transfer students. I was one.

Now, I am relaxing until we go to his Grandma’s. I am thankful for my skills, talents, abilities, and opportunities!

Internship, Robert Morris University

Finally Friday

April 12, 2019April 12, 2019by Boujee On A BudgetLeave a Comment

Work was not too bad today. None of the faculty came in until around 12pm. I ate lunch with Nancy in the kitchen. After lunch, I answered e-mails. I was able to work on my paper for legal. It is actually coming along rather well. I am happy to have it almost done. I just have to write three pages left and a strong conclusion and then I am done. I talked to my professor about it last night and she was telling me not to stress about the paper. I am not stressing, but it’s just sitting down and crafting it.

After work, I drove to RMU where I am currently sitting in Massey Theatre to help sell tickets. I hope we get a crowd of students. There is another event on campus for Greek Week it is called Airband. I asked some students campus what Airband is and they said it’s like the biggest event. They dress up in costumes and make up, and they sing and dance on a stage. It is like lip sync challenge. It sounds pretty cool. I didn’t get involved in much when I was an undergrad at RMU. Looking back, I wish I would have. I dabbled in theater and made friends that I still talk today, but I didn’t participate in Greek Life. I probably would have, if I lived on campus and was a traditional four year student.

I may stop by Airband after and check it out, but I am a little anxious to go home and hang out.

Grad School, Internship, Robert Morris University

Leadership Conference Day 2

April 6, 2019April 10, 2019by Boujee On A BudgetLeave a Comment

This morning I got up at 5:45am and got a shower and got ready for the second day of the conference. I also packed up. It was weird sleeping without Drew. I really am enjoying the time at Marietta and the conference, but I miss my husband. However, it was nice to get away for a bit.

IMG_1305 (1).jpeg After I got dressed, I went down the hall to see if Sydney, Erica, and Dylan were awake or ready. Sydney answered the door half asleep. She said, it is 7am. I said, I know I just wanted to see who was awake and ready to head to breakfast. I am a morning person. I told them I will see them down at breakfast. I felt bad they weren’t ready. I left their room and knocked on Jake and Zai’s door. Jake answered and said, morning. I said, morning! I told him that I just wanted to see if anyone was awake yet. He said, yup. I said, already I will see you at breakfast. I was beginning to think I was the only one. I took the elevator downstairs and it let me off at the lobby. I stepped out of the elevator. I looked down at my phone so I could text John. Then I looked up and saw him there. I approached him and said, “I was just about to text you. I thought I was the only one up and ready to go. I got some coffee and we went to see what they had for breakfast. It was typical hotel breakfast food.

Eventually everyone came down for breakfast, after we all ate we packed up the car. We were getting a little bit of a slow start to the day. We wanted to sit in on a couple sessions and eat lunch before we left.

When we arrived back on campus and to the conference, they were half way through the 9am sessions. We got coffee and waited for the 10am sessions to start. Sydney, Erica, and myself went to the presentation about how women can use certain strategies in Leadership to shift their impact in the workplace. It was pretty interesting. Then we went to the last presentation before lunch.

Lunch was stuffed peppers and flank steak it wasn’t as good as yesterday. After lunch, we made our way the car and started the journey back to Pittsburgh. The trip home went smooth and quick.

When we arrived back to Robert Morris University, we dropped everyone off and then we met up with Drew so he could meet John at the rental car place. I was glad to see Drew. We drove John back to campus and then Drew and I went home. We talked about the conference and the plans for the evening. Even though I was pretty tired, I still wanted to go over his parents.

When we got home, we brought my stuff in and hung out for a bit, then went to his parents for dinner. His dad made cauliflower crust pizza, and we snacked on chips and guacamole. for some reason, I was so hungry, and so tired. I had so much fun at the conference and can’t wait go back and explore Marietta!