Is the economy actually turning around?

I know I'm being optimistic, but I think the economy is looking up. Up until last week, I was feeling this failing economy hard time. I even got a roommate for a few months to help make ends meet. As of late last week (after the election), I have been getting emails about business consulting and web development and even online orders.

I think this might be a little boost of consumer confidence. Funny how one little election can start to boost business. Did you hear about the incoming "Obama Baby Boom"? Those of you in the childcare industry- be prepared for lots of work in 9 months.

I know things might seem bleak right now, but I see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Oh- and go grab a copy of the East Bay Express today- I'm featured in it!

What does the state of the economy mean to me?

I'm not very political, but I am opinionated. I have some serious concerns as to where the state of the economy is going to leave me.

I've been saying for the last year that its great I'm in education. Main reason, when the economy sucks, its great to further your education for when it gets better. But now, as an educator, we are suffering too. Education is up, but how is it affected by the bail out of the loan and insurance companies? Is the bail out really going to happen and what does that mean for education?

One of the main companies affected is Fannie Mae and those of you who get loans for education know that is where they mainly come from. I'm concerned about the future of America in this aspect. What happens if students can no longer get loans for education? Well, bye bye education jobs.

I'm seeing the cause and effect already. I may lose a class this quarter because a dozen students may not be getting that education loan.

On the other front of my work, its directly tied to the consumer buying industry. I'm concerned that this holiday season will be worse than last year. I had my store last year and even in the busiest shopping season, we only reached half our projected sales. Poor retail sales means poor wholesale sales, means I'll be living off ramen again.

Ok, maybe not, but this concerns all of us either in the immediate future or down the road. What is your backup plan?

I gots me a ve-hick-el

No, I didn't flunk grammer, thats just my Oakland slang coming out. I got myself a hunk of junk to help contribute the the global warming epidemic. No more scrounging for rides anymore. I am going to be the chick with a big dark blue minivan with the fake wood on the side. Thats me, the girl with the minivan. My brother-in-law asked if it came with 4 kids. Ha ha ha.

Now I have the means to get down to LA on my own, the ability to get groceries in a timely manner, and the option to stay in San Francisco after midnight! The only downfall, parking. I'm getting ready to scope the neighborhood out to find a spot to store my blue baby. Wish me luck.

Fun with My Students

I'm sure I've written this before, but I really do love teaching.

Let me tell you what happened yesterday. We have a 6 hour class and get 2 breaks, one 15 minute break and one longer break. The class is large, about 18 people. At the end of the 15 minute break, only about 6 people had returned, so I decided to teach them a lesson. I told the 6 people what the homework assignment was and it was up to them whether they wanted to tell their classmates what the homework was.

Well, they decided to play a trick on their classmates and told them some crazy assignments. Some even offered to sell the information for $5. I let them sweat it out for about 3 hours. I told them I was trying to teach them a lesson and that next time I wouldn't be so nice. We all had a good laugh, and for the second break, everyone was back about 5 minutes early.

I doubt they will be late again.

My cat won't leave me alone

I'm sure she's been this needy her entire life, but I only notice it when I don't want her in my lap. Try sewing or writing with a cat in your lap. Writing is manageable, unless you are sitting on the couch and have a computer in your lap, then you are having to type over the cat. Its cute I guess, until she gets annoyed that I won't play and she climbs behind me on the couch and trys to dig through my hair.

I still love her, all 11 pounds of her.