Miss Mechanic

Okay ladies, amongst an array of ugly realities we must accept about our status in the world, although we have come a long way, there are still several areas where we are lacking respect and knowledge. Yes, you guessed it, I am talking about the lovely subject we blissfully avoid familiarity with, our vehicles.

Over the summer, my Jeep, who I love dearly, began having a few problems. First, she began moving in this very jerky motion, like my engine was going to explode any second, so I had to take it in. After a check up, I learned that my car had an "electrical problem in the transmission". What do I know about a transmission? Try nothing. So I asked what the total would be and the mechanic estimated it around $550. Ouch. I had a lunch shift to work around the corner, so I told them mechanic I would be back within the next few hours, and he assured me the car would be fixed by then. Well, it was fixed all right when I came back, with the exception of several ordered parts that he "didn't know he would need earlier" Total: $850.00. Did I mention I am a broke college student?

Needless to say, I may have been scammed, and to make matter worse, i had to go back for a "cracked fan" two weeks later and spent $350 on that. Sure, cars are expensive, but part of me strongly believes that if I had more knowledge about the issue, or at least a big man to help me, this all could have been avoided.

I don't mean to distract you from your day job, but for your own sake ladies, follow the next few steps to avoid being cheated.

Bring a Man/ Knowledgeable Friend


When I purchased my first car, I brought my cousin, a mechanic in training to check out the parts. He was able to tell me how practical my purchase was; weighing the price and quality of my car. My problems before came from me running it to the ground, but still, he rode with me in it, looked under the hood, and made me feel more confident about my purchase. I ever shaved off a couple of hundred dollars from the price.

Research the Price of your Car Parts

There is obviously a service charge always, but considering you do not order the parts, make sure the mechanic is not overcharging you when looking at the materials he needed to use. Also, since we have this lovely information tool called the internet, you can see how much others paid for the same problems.


Research the Cost and Frequency of your Problem


Your vehicle may have an off the wall, infrequent problem, but remember that cars are built from one basic model, and typically begin to develop the same problems due to mileage/ usage. Research the problem your car is having, and at least if it costs a lot, you will be assured that this is just another one of those good with the bad compromises we have to make in life.





Ladies, next time you go the the mechanic, show them what's what and not the other way around. Even when you have a smudge of engine grease on your cheek, don't forget to Winc ;)

Trimming Dead Ends

Hair, like most anything in life, grows, and in time passes away. What do most of us tend to do once those dead ends are cramping our new hairstyle? We have them " trimmed" off. This concept should not apply only to hair, but all areas of life. When we want new growth to develop quickly, we have to cut off the old growth that has already cycled.


For almost 6 months, I have held onto a tarnished relationship. Sure, when it began, it was fresh, blissful, exciting, and alive. However, after a year passed my ends needed a serious trim, but I insisted on walking around ragged and delaying any new growth. Earlier in the week, my cousin, who is a recent graduate of USC, and I had a discussion about a few dead ends we were reluctant to trim and how they affected out lives. Ironically, both pertained to relationships with the opposite sex, and had visible effects.

Once her ends were finally trimmed, she met not one, but three new best friends, lost some weight, which had developed from stress, and graduated (huge accomplishment.) I am not sure which payments will be made once my ends are completely gone, but I began the trimming process about a week ago. Literally, I took a pair of scissors to my head and cut the hair myself. ;)

So, Ladies, next time your ends are looking dead and drain the luster from the rest of your hair, life, or spirit, do not be afraid to use those scissors . It is time to cut off loose ends and inspire new growth in the process.

Next time you give yourself a trim or go to the salon remember, it will take a few weeks to adjust, but the healthy effects will be beneficial in due time. Oh, and when your new do is finished, don't forget to look in the mirror and Winc ;)

Bikini Budget

Spring is nearly in full force and summer is right around the corner, so of course, it is just about time to go on the bikini lookout. In my youth, I was crazy for any bikini I saw in a Victoria's Secret catalog, and lets face it if I wasn't turning into an adult and watching my spending habits, I would still look there. Even so, after the collection I had built up of decorative and favorable suits, this year simplicity is in the air.

Here are a few favorable places I have found bikins that were not only inexpensive, but fit well...

Old Navy
My favorite part about old navy, since it is a sister store of the GAP and Banana Republic, is that almost every item in the store is clean cut and simple. Amongst an array of bikinis I had seen in the store were some hot pink two pieces, a simple black two piece(now in my possession), and some cute simple patterns. The black bikini I had purchased fit my body better than most I own from Victoria's Secret and it rang up and a lovely 26 dollars!

http://oldnavy.gap.com/

Venus
I am not completely cheap, so I am adding this one for the quality of your swim wear. This is a company that specializes in swim wear, so you can be assured that the options are endless and that the suit will last a long time. Some have patterns, others are Rhine stone embellished and the greater majority will cost less than 80 dollars. Also, you can shop by style, color, or print.

 


http://www.venus.com


Target
Stepping away from the simple, and more towards the colorful and inexpensive is targets lovely colllection of bathing suits. Seeing how a lot of designers have carried lines over to the store, there are some quality suits amongst the bunches. Most of the bathing suits there will ring up under 40 dollars, and as most of us know, there are little accesories available to complement the suit if your budget has more room.

    

 http://www.target.com/


Good luck bikini shopping! Next time you are feeling a little overwhelmed with your options, just think about which bikini and price works best for you and don't forget to Winc ;)

Barrier Breakthrough

So many of us put up barriers to strangers, and most of the time we should. How is anyone to know whether or not they are running into an ax murderer? (Just make sure they are empty handed and without pocket ;))

Today I went on a hike alone. I do not recommended it to all, but for those brave enough and familiar with trails it is a great way to go. Once reaching my final hiking destination, the lake, and lying out for a while on a bench and then on a vertical cement wall that led into the water, a few hikers and bike riders passed by, all saying hello in a friendly manner, and then one man called for my attention. Normally, I would have been reluctant to answer, but I spoke with him. He was a marathon swimmer and wanted me to keep and eye out so he made it to the end and back safely. When he came ashore we spoke some more, shook hands, he complimented me on my hair, and then we parted ways.

Prior to descending an older gentleman approached me and asked if I ran the rails. I replied that I didn't and he took that as an invitation to walk back down the hill with me. I was worried at first, but he seemed kind enough. As we walked down he spoke to me about how he was an architect, who had attended UC Berkley, and told me a few stories about friends, life, and career. He took about 4 years at a Junior College and a year off before going to Berkley and just sort of "fell in" to architecture.

While he was speaking he seemed not only patient, but wise. We both acknowledged how fearful people are today of accepting life as it comes and adjusting ( I have this problem too, or I did at least.) This reassured me that stress, when it comes to my education, is unnecessary and that I should take it slowly. Prior, I had rushed so quickly towards my passions that I ignored my inner peace.

Once I broke my barriers, today on my hike and in life, patience and wisdom have blown in freely; from strangers especially. If you ask me, a stranger is the best because they do not know you and have seen so many different things. Sometimes it is good to push your walls down, and at other times to keep them up, but don't be afraid to let the world see you and to look back at it with no expectation.

Next time you are brave enough to wander the world alone, be kind, be open, be safe, gain wisdom, and don't forget to Winc. ;)

Helping Hands

Being in college has it's difficulties, amongst them are roommate issues. If we are all lucky, and I have been so far the present school year, we have roommates that get along, share, and respect one another. However, there is one issue present in my current apartment that I have encountered at others over the last year or so.

For some reason, everyone likes to point the finger when it comes to messes and cleaning. This is understandable, because no one wants to clean the bowl of melted ice cream with goldfish floating along the top, but sometimes it goes to far.  I have literally had someone tell me to avoid doing certain tasks, which are no sweat off of my back, so that another person has to deal with the mess. I am sorry, but stepping 4 extra feet with the vacuum cleaner is not going to kill me, and not doing it probably won't make much of a difference to everyone else.

Being that I am currently couch crashing, I do a little extra cleaning when the stench in the kitchen calls for it. If you see a trash bag overflowing and the person responsible continues to neglect responsibility, go ahead a take it out for the sake of the other individuals living in the apartment. Or, if there are no clean dishes and the washer is full, take out the plates, and if you make it a speed game, you may even trim a few inches off of the arm come summertime. 

My greater point is, we all have hands and some times when they are empty we can use them to finish the work of others. Besides, in the grand scheme of life, the poor girl that doesn't know how to clean up after herself is going to be lonely in a smelly house right? Okay, that was harsh, but you laughed a little. ;)

So roomies all across the globe, stop pointing the finger while you are sitting around doing nothing, which is certainly not going to make the stench of a dirty household disappear. Sure, we are just in college and cleaning up is not a priority, but if that is the case, then complaining about others who don't shouldn't be one either. Lend a hand and do a little extra if you can. Besides, being able to take care of yourself and home is important. Next time you are cleaning up your roomies dishes, put on some pink gloves and don't forget to Winc. ;)

Challenging the Chase

Today I am a she-woman man hater. You heard  me right, I am shamelessly telling the world I am a certified feminist, meaning I am tired of taking s*&% from worthless men. Living with two boys for two weeks, yes it only lasted that long, confirmed my suspicions about young men and their intentions with women. One night while hot tubbing, both of my roommates were speaking about a "relationship worthy" girl vs a "fun time." (By the way, I would hope any girl they deemed worthy of dating could see clear through their front, lord knows I have taken at least one person at face value)

Anyways, their conversation consisted of "yeah if she will make me chase her, she is worth it. Otherwise, I will just... well, you know." Now that we have confirmed men are simply animals of competition, lets further our understanding of what they really want. From person experience, I can tell you sometimes the chase is not enough to build a lasting relationship.

I let someone step a few feet to get me before and it was not even that I made him chase, but I made him wait to prove his worthiness. Well, after several months of getting to know one another, I felt he was trust worthy enough to take the next step... I was wrong. Some girls get a little more intuitive after taking the next step, maybe a better word is suspicious, and it is for good reason if you ask me.

My latest boyfriend seemed like and angel until he got what he wanted. Before I knew it, he was out every single weekend. His excuse? His best friends wanted to go do something fun. The logical reason: he got what he wanted from me and he went looking for more because he was bored. Yeah, I know, what a jerk right? Right! And after my male roommate experience I was more sure then ever that going out for some guys is just another way of saying I am going fishing. So being patient and understand making them "chase" is not enough to be secure anymore. WE ARE ALL IN DANGER.

What needs to be acknowledged is the fact we are living in a fast digital age where people want to be simulated at all times. Dressing up and going out clearly is not good enough to break relationship boredom. I just used this to vent current frustrations so do not take anything too seriously, but watch your back. We are living in the 21st century and we need to get with the times. I am an old soul, and far too trusting, so it took me a few first hands lessons.

Challenge the chase, be more patient then ever, more self focused then ever, and more cautious when it comes to a love life. We are all too beautiful and powerful to waste a day on heartbreak. Put on your running shoes and don't forget to Winc. ;)

The Self- Induced Six

I am reading a fantastic book at the moment, written by a sociologist named Deepak Chopra. As a 20 year old, this material should in no way be applicable to my life style, but due to circumstances out of my control... I have managed to begin living my life on a windy chaotic road. While reading his story, I noticed 6 very damaging factors that I am learning to eliminate in my life. They are as follows: Unpredictability, Disorder/ Confusion, Accidents, Trauma/Sickness, Violence, Chaos.

Now I am not trying to point a finger, but prior to my winter break, I had managed to escape most of these psychologically induced illnesses. However, December came along and with home came a small space filled with children and "chaos", a difficult decision regarding school, and a few overly aggressive family members. Yes I will admit it, my family is just as dysfunctional as yours ( at least I will tell myself that so I do not feel alone.)

Anyways, after break and during, I got sick for the first time in a long time, left home with a shattered self esteem, and ended up in the ER for stomach problems. Yes, it is true, having your life filled with all of these unhealthy habits will affect your body. I will give a brief summary of each damaging factor, least to most disruptive. End the madness before it gets out of your control.

Unpredictability:
Irregularity in your life: hours, eating habits, sleeping habits, everything that is present in your life as a routine. Chopra says we need to live our life with rhythms. When we change our rhythms unexpectedly, our lives begin to resemble that kid always dancing off beat in high school (just a hot mess.)

Disorder ( my most difficult area):
Confusion, procrastination, doubting ones self. Lack of control in these areas can have a serious affect in your life. It makes your restless and a "drifter" for lack of better words. You can either drift from place to place for 3 months, and be still and actually allow growth in your life.

Accidents:
Unfocused, self-destructive, distracted. All of these things take us from the present moment. Therefore, we are not paying attention to the things going on around us. Rather, our minds separate from matter or our physical environment. A personal example of mine; Just a few weeks ago, I was attempting to move to So Cal and broke my friends glasses when we went to the pool. I was busy thinking about how I should have stayed in Oregon opposed to being fully present at the moment.

Trauma/ Sickness:
Choosing unnecessary risks and danger, gambling with safety. By ignoring well-known guidelines for healthy living, we expose ourselves to all of these traumas. There are some healthy life style choices that are safe to live by.

Violence:
Choosing to be out of control, unleashing anger and rage. This fires up your cells to a high alert. As control in these areas breaks down, control over time breaks down as well. Then we become late to work, miss out on opportunities, and lose the most important part of ourselves (self-love.)

Chaos:
 Living in total disorder: crime, domestic violence, war. Sleep, digestion, and metabolism become seriously compromised in this area if we do not control these factors. This is how a 20 year old ends up in the ER with stomach pains ( i'm just saying.)

Anyways, I have spent several weeks letting almost all of these affect me. I advise you not to do the same. Should we all know better? Sure. Do we? Not in the least bit. Stay calm, enjoy life, and pick up a safe hobby. Oh, and don't forget to Winc ;)