Follow Your Dreams

Hey, Everyone!

I've been getting quite a few people asking me lately how I went from this......to a steady paycheck earning, full-time writer (my dream job), in less than a year.

I'm going to answer that question in two parts.

Part One: How I got the job I have right now

Basically, I put an ad up for myself on Craig's List--who I am and what writing services I offer. The ad linked to my official webpage. The talent scout(?) from the Production company I now work for was looking for writers, found my ad, went to my webpage and from there...went to THIS blog (yes, the one you're reading right now!) and fell in love with it. Next thing I know, I'm being offered a job! So, that's how I got the job I have currently. I got very very lucky.

Part Two: How I was getting writing jobs before that happened...

Textbroker, Fiverr, Craig's List, my Official webpage, this blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, hitting up friends/family/local businesses/anyone else I thought might need my writing services...

But, the most important thing: I went after jobs. I sought them out and made them happen. YOU CANNOT JUST SIT AROUND AND WAIT FOR JOBS TO COME TO YOU! You can do that after you've made a name for yourself--but you're never going to make a name for yourself if you don't go out there and get things done. FOLLOW your dreams, don't sit around waiting for them to come to you--you have to CHASE after them!!

I know that I'm (probably) not going to have the job I have currently forever and ever... And, when/if that happens, I'm not going to sit around like a lump and wait, I'm going to get right back to what I was doing before: seeking out jobs.

But how did I learn how to get writing jobs? From my good friend Danielle Lynn of http://daniellelynn.com She's also known as The Clear Copywriter. I'm her first student in a course she's putting together on how to be a success in the freelance writing business. And, once I'm a huge success, you'll know it had a lot to do with Danielle--and you'll know her course is totally worth whatever she's going to charge for it. :)

Anyway, I hope that answers all your questions about my new job. Thanks for asking!

Until next time...

--Lauren*

Kidney Stone

Hey, Gang!

I was in the Emergency Room from 8:30pm May 11th to 3:00pm May 12th.

Despite the long wait and horrible conditions of Olive View (the only hospital I can afford to go to what with my no insurance and no job), I was actually really impressed (this time) with the nurses and doctors on duty. Olive View has had some pretty horrendous service in the past, but this time, even though it took around 18 hours, they really took their time and used every resource they had to find out what was wrong with me. And I honestly can't blame them for the wait too much. There was some real craziness going on behind the scenes there... People with insane injuries and problems.

I had ultra sounds done, different drugs administered, a cat scan, and some other stuff and they finally came up with a conclusion! I have a kidney stone. And I pulled my left lower back muscle again (the one I injured working at Del Taco) when I was writhing in agony.

I'm on a bunch of painkillers right now. They're helping a lot. Though I'm really not looking forward to passing that stone... Well, yes and no. I'm looking forward to it being gone, but I'm not looking forward to peeing out a small rock. You know?

In other news, I have a job interview tomorrow. FINALLY! I really really hope I get the job. Pray that I do!

Also, Ramiro and I still haven't been able to trap Robert's Mom... More on that later though. I've gotta go rest.

--Lauren*

January 7, 1985

I turned 25 last week. I'm officially in my mid-twenties! A quarter of a century old. Wow!

For those of you who don't read my Twitter, my birthday went really well. And, in other news, I no longer work at Del Taco. Now that I've moved in with Ramiro, my job wasn't exactly close by to my new digs so it was costing more in gas money to get to work than I was actually making at work. So I resigned. I turned in my uniform on my birthday. My boss was sad to see me go and said that if I was ever back in the area and needed a job that I'd always have a place with her at Del Taco. So that was nice.

Anyway, here are some pictures from my birthday. Ramiro and I went over to my parents' house and Mom made us dinner and they all sang the Birthday song and so on. Good times. I was very full afterward.
Picture my dad took of the table just before we ate. Mom made steaks and a big salad with bleu cheese dressing (made from scratch!). It was all very good.
Since I can't eat sugar, my mom got me a loaf of sourdough bread in lieu of a birthday cake. I got to keep the loaf and have been slicing it up and using it for sandwiches all week!Omigosh! A birthday card! XDMy parents put something in the birthday card, but I wasn't allowed to look at it (no spoilers!) until I finished reading the very wordy card. Dad kept making comments and I was cracking up. Then Ramiro started laughing too when he saw me laughing. I was afraid that his drink was going to come out his nose and then I'd really lose it (but, it didn't; thank goodness). I love pictures of people laughing. :)

And, of course, I got to visit my darling Dorian Grey. I love/miss my cat so much. That was my favourite birthday gift. <3

I guess that's about it for now.

I hope everyone's having a very happy 2010!

--Lauren*
PS: A very special thank you to all of you who called, texted, and sent cards and/or presents. I know I've already thanked you guys, but I wanted to say it again: THANK YOU! You're the best. :)

Not Feeling Well

First of all, many thanks to those of you who have written and/or called me to wish me well. It's true: I haven't been feeling well lately. I've been in and out of the hospital with a string of "illnesses."

Early last month, I had a bit of a cold, but continued to go to work anyway. I was getting more hours and needed the money and I forced myself to keep going even though I kept getting progressively worse. The day before Thanksgiving, Ramiro ended up taking me to the hospital. My cold had turned into Pneumonia. I was forced to take some time off from work. (I haven't been back to work since November 23rd).

And, just as I was starting to feel all the way better (except for a lingering cough--which I've been told could stick around for another two weeks!), poor Ramiro ended up having to take me to the hospital again. With my zero immunity from the Pneumonia, I ended up catching a very bad flu virus that mainly affected the "violently throwing up" and "non-stop diarrhea" parts of my anatomy. NOT PLEASANT AT ALL! Ugh.

I'm out of the hospital now and on the road to recovery from all my various troubles. Except my wallet is a bit worse for wear. I've ended up having to spend much MUCH more than I made when I forced myself to go to work with a cold. And my dream of having a Saving's Account? Well... Maybe next year. I was only a few dollars away, but now I'm pretty much down to the "lucky" two-dollar bill I started out with. I'm trying very, very hard not to be extremely bummed about this and remain optimistic that 2010 will be better money-wise. *smiles*

On the bright side, my Thanksgiving went pretty well... I had Pneumonia and couldn't taste anything (and my diet restrictions meant I couldn't eat a lot of the "good stuff"--it was basically just an ordinary meal for me), but Ramiro came over and my mom's brother and his ex-wife. So that was nice.

And I'm very thankful for all the wonderful people in my life. Especially Ramiro. And my parents. And Ramiro's parents & sister. There are many many AWESOME people in my life, but those are the ones that I'm the most grateful for at this moment. You know that people really REALLY love you when they'll still sit with you when you're horrifically throwing up. Thanks, guys. I love you all so much. <3

Anyway, that's pretty much what I've been up to lately. Just...being sick. You haven't missed much! haha.

Hopefully my next entry will be something more fun!

Later.

--Lauren*

No Hablo Mucho Espanol

Hmmmm... So, not a whole lot has been going on lately. I've been getting a lot more hours at work (Del Taco). That's good, I suppose. I'll be happy on Pay Day.

I've been trying to learn Spanish. I was told straight-up that if I didn't speak Spanish that there was no chance of my being promoted or getting a raise.

Would I have this problem if I didn't live/work in Los Angeles?

Probably not.

But, I do. So I guess I've gotta deal with it.

This isn't just an issue with Del Taco. In the past, a few places have refused to hire me because I didn't speak Spanish.

It's very difficult. In the past, people have told me that it's "such an easy language," but I'm having a lot of trouble with it. Necesito ayuda! I've been trying to learn on my own with books and audio CDs and such. And, on a side note, did you know that the Merriam-Webster's Spanish-English Dictionary doesn't have the Spanish translation for the word "onion" (among other things)? That's something that I need to know to communicate with the cooks and Spanish-speaking customers at Del Taco. There's a great lack of food words in my books! Very frustrating.

The sad thing is, I actually kinda like learning new languages and writing. I loved learning IPA and Masonic code and such... But Spanish feels like it's being forced on me and that makes me a bit resentful. I actually do want to learn it, mainly to better understand my future in-laws (who're Mexican), but I'd like to learn it in a fun way and at my own pace. Not because, if I don't learn it, I won't be able to advance my "career."

Oh well.

If anyone has any tips on how to make it a bit easier for me to learn, please let me know.

In other news, Ramiro and I went to the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum in Hollywood the other day and it was fantastic. The most fun that I've had at a museum in years!

That's all for now.

--Lauren*