5 Ways To Renew your Career

When you wake up and roll your eyes before getting out of bed, annoyed by the thought that you have to go to work, it is a clear signal that it is time for a rebirth. My Savvy Sisters aren’t stagnant for long. Everything has its season and when your mood begins to change to one of discontentment concerning your career it is definitely time for a new approach. Try one of these tips to give your career a re boost.

Offer an Extension – For every mundane task there is a way to twirk it that will bring much needed value. If you are a teacher, offer to teach a new course that complements what you are teaching. If you are a sales person try offering a new product. If you have written a book, develop a website that explores the characters and extends the storyline. Every career is multi faceted and there is always an option to offer more than what you have been giving.

Upgrade- If you are tired of what you are doing then it may be time to go after that promotion or find a new company. A new position will not only boost your resume and star power, but it will also bring with the excitement of new challenges and new and interesting people.

Revitalize Your Hobby – There’s something that you do in your spare time that makes your soul tingle. Turn that into a profitable business by either offering courses on how to do it or doing it for others while they pay you. You’ve been practicing it enough. You don’t need any more credentials. You can do it. Start now. You could probably write a book about it and that’s actually a great idea!

Start Over – For My Savvy Sisters who know they can create success in any area they choose it may be time to fly the coop and try something totally new. It’s no problem to start at the bottom again in a new career because you’ve gained enough experience to quickly catapult you to the top. Try the career you’ve been fantasizing about. If you are financially set and can afford to take the risk, go ahead and be a waitress if that idea tickles you. Go back to school and get a few psychology degrees if everyone tells you that you should be a therapist. Move to a new city. The prospects are limitless. It’s not about power and prestige once you’ve already attained it; it’s about living out ALL of your dreams. Go ahead and have fun with it!

Bring Love Into The Equation- So maybe you can’t change jobs right now and that’s okay too. How about spicing up your career by developing a new love interest that is centered around your career. If you are an accountant you can ask yourself, “Who owns the biggest accounting firm in my area? Is he single?” If you are going to date you should always date someone who can teach you something that will add value to your career goals. Go out and mingle with the people you admire. Rub elbows with men who already own their own businesses. Fall in love with someone who will help raise your stock. Go ahead. He’s waiting.

For My Savvy Sisters: Have you ever had to reinvent your career? How did you do it?

Read More

Runaway Fuel Prices

I went to the gas station the other day and spent close to $4 per gallon. My tank was not empty but it cost about $50 to fill up my tank that was at about 1/4 tank empty. Typically that’s what it costs to fill it up when it is empty, but I have not allowed it to get empty because I am afraid of what the price will look like. My car has needed some repairs so I have been using my partners SUV, and the truck is a gas guzzler.

If you are like me then you have a budget you have to abide by every week to ensure you have enough money for bills, food, gas and extras in that order. When the price of gas goes up it strains the checking account and you have to cut corners. With gas prices at about $4 per gallon, ongoing conflict in the middle east and wars in oil producing countries it does not seem like the price of gas will be dropping down any time soon. The prices are running up and they are not slowing down.

Since the price of gas has risen the price of everything else has risen. Food prices are at an all time high and warnings are coming from the UN, EU and FDA about possible civil unrest. When looking at the uprisings in the middle east the price of food is usually a contributing factor. Summer time is coming and demand will be up again as I am sure it will be another hot year, we may even see gas hit $5 per gallon. At $5 per gallon I do not think I will be driving anywhere but to where I need to go.

So what can we do? Fighting these companies almost seems hopeless because of the behemoth size they are. I purpose boycotting the largest gas station chains here in the US; ExxonMobil, Shell and Chevron. As convenient and plentiful these gas stations are, they are usually the most expensive when you compare them to other gas stations. Since the Gulf oil disaster that took place in April of 2010 I do not purchase from BP, so as difficult as you may think this is, it’s not. I have not purchased fuel from either of these gas stations in many years and instead have relied on others such as RaceTrac and Hess which is almost always cheaper than ExxonMobil, Shell, BP or Chevron.

You can also drive less, use public transportation, walk or ride a bike, carpool with friends and family, car share and when purchasing a car, look at the fuel economy. You can also demand the end to all wars, demand better fuel efficiency or better yet, demand renewable energy from congress. We could have began reducing our oil dependency many years ago but people were too greedy and the powers that be manipulated the market and now we are in dire straits. So take action, change your habits, because the only way to change them is to start with you.

Peace & Harmony,

Christina

About the Columnist

With a bachelors degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University, Christina Fermin has always cultivated her love for history, politics, sociology, ancient knowledge and teachings, the outdoors, the ocean and the environment. Christina strives to make our world better by helping us all create a new reality and understanding of all taking place here and now.

Read More

Day 7: Adjusting & Moving Forward

I'm a little bit sticky, kinda smelly and very cranky right now. I just spent 8 hours in the hot sun working as a Homeless Voice vendor which basically means, asking for donations.

I learned that we are not called panhandlers because we have to sign a contract to become independent contractors and we have to pay a portion of the donations to the shelter in exchange for our living expenses. There are no lazy people here. If you don't "work" as a vendor, you don't get to stay.



I did well. In fact, I did GREAT for my first time out the gate. I was a bit nervous to do well because I have the (mis)fortune of doing well at everything that I do and once the person I'm working for notices that then they will do anything to keep me aboard even sabotage any success I may have which may lead me away from their company. That annoys me and I find myself working less than my potential at times because of it.

I am learning so much about the homeless population. Most of it will surprise you simply because I'm finding that although a lot of the homeless have bad attitudes and perspectives on life, this isn't a bad lifestyle to live.

At this shelter the residents are taken care of and we eat THREE hot meals a day. That astounds me because before coming here I NEVER ate 3 meals a day. Although there are no couches to lounge around on and there is a set bedtime and wake up time I'm really not struggling to eat or laugh.

The homeless population seem to be a bitter bunch that blame others for their situations but honestly, I have never met more giving and sweet people. What little they have, they ALWAYS share. ALWAYS.

I have been completely catered to and taken care of since I've been here. No man actually tries to hit on me, although at times they flirt. I don't feel unsafe at all. It's cool being able to meet someone new everyday and get to know them and their lives.

I dream of sleeping in a bed though. I dream of frolicking in my underwear with no bra on and taking a vacation with my sons. My spirits are often lifted when I make a new video or learn something that will help women to overcome their fear of homelessness. I am using this Project to help me get through this because I look at my situation as an assignment and not my destiny or my misfortune.

I would really love a nice hot shower and the ability to lounge around the house. I can't believe I gave that all up. For what?

I really hope I hear from women who say that my journey has inspired them and allowed them to release their fears.

I do hope this isn't all for nothing.

Read More

VIDEO: Top 3 Reasons For Homelessness

VIDEO BELOW

Read More

NEWS: Tornadoes Devastate the South

Berlyne Julmis

News Coordinator

Tornadoes Devastate the South

Raging tornadoes attack the south leaving 16 people dead; hammering Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Oklahoma in their wake. Many are injured and an extensive amount of damage is apparent in each of these states.

Including mobile homes 18,000 residents lost power in Tuscaloosa, Alabama when a twister touched down at nearby Shelton State College. Governor Bentley of Alabama declared a state of emergency for the state.

In Mississippi it was reported that four twisters hit the area in a 4 to 6 hour span. Crews are working diligently to clear debris, provide shelter to those who are now homeless, and restore power to many. Fourteen counties in Mississippi have been declared in a state of emergency.

In Oklahoma five destructive twisters made their way through the state claiming lives. Twisters were also reported in Tennessee, Louisiana, and Georgia.

Read More

Day 5: Meet The Homeless Voice Residents

Karen is a 43-year-old resident of The Homeless Voice Shelter. She has been a part of the shelter family for 6 months. Karen said that she is a licensed respiratory therapist and at one point owned a 5 bedroom home. She said that God spoke to her and told her that she would become a minister and in order to truly be a blessing, she needed to learn to trust Him.

Trusting Him led to her being homeless and sleeping on a patio for one night. Her family didn't understand her new life direction and she was called crazy on many occasions. After that night on the streets Karen found The Homeless Voice and has been living and volunteering in the shelter since.





Chris is a 37-year-old resident of The Homeless Voice Shelter. He introduced himself to me with an apology for his abrasive behavior. I sat down to speak with him and he explained to me that he used to have two sides to his personality. The female part of his personality was a demon that he had to allow in so that he could fight it.

As I listened to him sharing his story, I felt a special kinship to him. For those who have mental illnesses, many people do not believe that what they are experiencing is real but it is my belief that their reality is very real.

I was able to work with Chris using my skills as a counselor. I told him that he has the power to stop any demons who want to fight with him or take over his body. He seemed shocked but then agreed.

"You are no longer powerless," I told him. "From this day forward you can choose not to live in the pain of your past and try to move forward."

Although Chris does not believe he can maintain a job due to the two other personalities that live in his head, he still believes he deserves love and wants to be reunited with his long lost family. He spend the majority of his day talking to the other residents who are unable to work and sharing anything that he has. I was told that he often has fits of aggression and violent outbursts. I witnessed one such aggressive outburst as he told the guy sitting next to me to respect him and to not try to hurt him again.

Many in the shelter regard Chris as crazy and most are frustrated by his past behavior. Chris said he is trying to change in order to leave the past in the past but everyone still treats him as though he is a mean person.

"Chris. People are only interacting with you according to the behavior you have showed them. Give them some time. Introduce them to the real you. Introduce them to the YOU that is calm, reasonable and helpful. Allow them to get to know the new you and the old memories will fade away," I said.

Read More

Day 4: A Little Bit Of Magic & Sorrow

I was sick all night.

My tooth, which I learned is my #17 molar, is infected and impacted. Again, I had to learn that this means it is pushed up against my bone or something. I need it removed but it will take an oral surgeon. I have no insurance and no other options so I have been swallowing advil and aspiring like they are M&M's. I don't know if I can OD but the relief I now feel for the full 20-30 minutes seems worth the risk.

I didn't sleep at all last night. The entire left side of my face was so tight yet throbbing and I just cried and cried and cried. There's nothing else you can do when you have a toothache like this. You get to the point where you wish someone would just put you out of your misery.

Early this morning, they woke everyone up at 5am as usual and I was so annoyed because I knew that there would be no chance for me to get any rest until after midnight the next nite.

I finagled my beach towel from the front desk attendant and I made my way down to the park that I originally planned to live in for this project- the one that told me I couldn't sleep there.

It was so quiet and so beautiful in the early morning. If it weren't for my face being on FIRE with pain I would have felt like I was in wonderland. I spread my towel and lay on my back looking across the park at the lights.

I fell asleep and just like clockwork, my throbbing tooth woke me up a little less than 30 minutes later. I took more aspirin and fell asleep feeling relieved within minutes. Less than 30 minutes later, the same thing, I am throbbing and sobbing and I begin to feel overwhelmed by life in general.

Then a police officer came by and told me I had to leave. I found another spot to try to nap in front of a store and when the stores opened at 9 a lady woke me up and told me I had to leave AGAIN. I hobbled to the grocery store and sat down on the ground just outside the entrance holding my face and crying.

This is not something I can control. I can't make the pain go away. It made me think of my job fair and how the woman promised me a donation but somehow it never got here and how everytime I call the venue to talk to the coordinator, he never returns my calls or emails and how I only have ONE business so far and I need 30 and then I feel sad. Maybe I can't make a difference.

Who am I to think that my little action could cause a wave?

But it did last night.

Last night was crazy!

I was feeling all annoyed and about to have an anxiety attack as I approached the poetry spot because I do not feel like I belong around people in general I feel like every man hates me and is out to get me. I feel like their main objective is to try to make sure I never realize my true potential. I've had this issue since I met my children's father.

I tried going to counseling about this but that didn't work. Turned out my own counselor felt this same way about me and would write criticisms about me on his facebook page.

But I went to poetry anyway and I felt so out of place there. I don't think I'm ever going back. I hate that feeling of anxiety that I get whenever I'm in a place that I do not belong in. I never fit in anywhere for long to be honest. This isn't new. I introduce myself into a social circle and then quickly disappear after a little while. I never feel welcomed or comfortable. I always feel like an outsider. On this night I am disappointed that I am experiencing anxiety because I hadn't experienced anxiety at ALL since I began organizing the Rebuild Your Life Project. But I remember ALWAYS feeling anxiety when I would go to perform spoken word and here it is again- the same thing.

This challenges me quite a bit as I try to move forward with this project. Although I'd rather hide in the closet all night, I have to go out and speak about what I'm doing. So I was scheduled to speak about my project during poetry night and I did - for about 5 minutes. I honestly don't remember exactly what I said but, all I know is when I finished speaking one woman came up to me waving a $10 bill.

Then another.

Then another.

Then a crowd of people were surrounding me pushing money into my hand.

Then the crowd swelled some more.

People were crying and waving and telling me that I made a great impact on their lives.

I was in a daze. "What exactly did I say?" I couldn't really remember. I was just being myself.

It scared me. It felt like magic. I know what it's like to be rejected, to be ignored, to be told I'm never going to amount to anything. I know what it's like to fail. I have no clue how to handle all of this though.

People CRYING telling me they feel me.

People offering me FREE help and support.

Even Mayoral Candidate Luther Campbell showed up to speak on my behalf.

Maybe it was just a dream.

That's it.

It was a dream.

Just a dream. But the pain in my jaw is all too real.

Read More

Blog Carnival 6 - Resources For Women

A Blog Carnival is an event for bloggers to share their writing and expose their blogs across the blogosphere. Today My Savvy Sisters hosts its 6th Blog Carnival. Submissions were sent in from bloggers sharing their expertise and inspiration on different topics just for women. Peruse the blog posts and enjoy!

Ariana Kiefling presents Shop ‘Til You Drop: Top 25 Shopping Blogs posted at Public Policy Degree.

Andrea Carter presents Healthy Doesn?t Have to be Boring: 15 Innovative Salad Ideas posted at Masters in Nursing.

Maureen O'Danu presents Am I the Only One Dancing?: Sharing Joy: This is What a Happy Feminist Looks Like posted at Am I the Only One Dancing?.

Ray Johnson presents In Search of Jamaican Sandals posted at Wide Lady Shoes.

Cate Newton presents 64 College Scholarships for Women posted at Guidetoonlineschools.com.

Debbie Owen presents How to Bring About Sustainable Change posted at Online Doctorate Degree.

Read More

Movie Review: Vicky Christina Barcelona (2008)

Vicky Christina Barcelona weaves a tale of transformation of two best friend's lives. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Christina (Scarlett Johannson) visit Barcelona for the summer unaware that the trip will challenge their current beliefs systems.

Vicky is a play by the rules type of woman. She is engaged to a man who adores her and is stable, handsome and successful. Christina is a free spirit who believes life should be full of adventure and admits that she doesn't know what she wants romantically, but she does know what she doesn't want.

When the pair arrive in Barcelona they meet a strikingly handsome painter, Antonio (Javier Bardem) and he offers them a weekend of passion in a city called Oviedo. Although Vicky resists at first, she decides to join Christina who takes Antonio up on the offer and the three of them venture off to explore the nearby city.

Vicky Christina Barcelona is a movie that explores the inner workings of two very different types of women. While Vicky's structured life view is challenged when she meets Antonio and falls for him despite the fact that he begins to date Christina. Christina's go with the flow attitude is challenged when Antonio's ex wife Maria (Penelope Cruz) re enters the scenario and moves in with Antonio following a suicide attempt.

The question that lingered in my mind throughout the movie was about the concept of satisfaction in a relationship. Vicky's life had all the makings of a safe trip toward senior adulthood, yet she was dissatisfied. Christina's life was full of exploration and fun yet she was consistently dissatisfied.

Are we as women doomed to always wonder what is beyond the horizon, never truly appreciating what is outside our front door? What will it take for us to become content with what we have? Do we even want to be content?

Read More

EDITORIAL: Georgia's iAchieve Virtual Academy Is Ideal For Empowering Young Women

By Erika Martin
Education Columnist

Considering that I am currently pursuing my high school diploma at the age of 34, I'm always interested in learning about new educational opportunities that are a bit "out of the box." The iAchieve Virtual Academy is one of those.

When I was home schooled my last three years of high school, it would have been great to have a program like the iAchieve Virtual Academy to receive my high school diploma. If I were able to access the public school system through a virtual school setting, I most likely wouldn't be pursuing my diploma at the age of 34. I would like to see virtual academies set up across the country for all school systems. It would allow non-traditional students the opportunity to thrive in the areas they are best at while still getting a top-notch education.

Located in Forsyth County, Georgia, the iAchieve Virtual Academy offers free tuition to any student in grades 6-12 in all of Forsyth County. An elementary component is currently under construction. The free tuition is due to the iAchieve Academy being part of the public school offerings in Forsyth County. Students in Georgia that are outside of Forsyth County are welcome to apply, but will need to pay tuition.

What makes the iAchieve Virtual Academy so special is that it offers an alternative educational solution for students that, for many different reasons, aren't able or choose not to continue with their education in a traditional classroom. Because the iAchieve Virtual Academy is done online, it offers flexibility for students that wouldn't be available in a traditional setting.

I was able to speak with Susan Atkins, Assistant Director of Student Support Services and iAchieve Virtual Academy to gain a better understanding of what iAchieve Virtual Academy offers, specifically for young women.

"The goal is to provide a quality education for 21st century learners," Susan shared. The school district in Forsyth County, GA has a graduate profile that Susan said includes "21st century technology skills, thinking skills, building relationships, communication among peers and non-peers and global communications." The iAchieve Virtual Acadmey provides opportunities to build all of these characteristics in their students through 100% virtual learning.

I was particularly interested in hearing how the iAchieve Virtual Academy provides an education for young women and specifically how it empowers them. Susan shared two components that she feels the program reaches out to empower especially their female students. She notes that a number of the young women in the program are "highly competent, highly engaged, highly competitive females in other areas then just their academic school work." Some of these include athletes and ballerinas, for example. Many of these students will pursue these passions as their career and life's work and being able to get a high quality education through a virtual program like iAchieve allows them those opportunities without the restraints of a traditional school setting.

Another target market for the iAchieve program, Susan said, are young women that haven't found educational success in the traditional classroom setting due to social interactions, boredom they're bored or not being engaged or challenged. The iAchieve program allows these students to find an enviroment where they can be successful and build a strong education and move on to other things, Susan noted.

For the time being, the iAchieve Virtual Academy is limited to the state of Georgia due to the state-mandated assessments needing to be completed in person. iAchieve does have international students that are living abroad because their parents are on temporary assignments, but schedule their visits back to Georgia around the time of the assessment tests. This is just another way that iAchieve looks to meet the individual needs of their students.

For more information about the iAchieve Virtual Academy, their website has an extensive FAQ section. You can also view their large course offering for both middle and high school students.

About the columnist:

Erika Martin was withheld from attaining her high school diploma and a higher education due to living in a spiritually abusive upbringing. She is currently working towards attaining her high school diploma and plans to pursue a degree in Psychology after graduation this June. Erika will highlight relevant news and information that relates to education as well as chronicle her journey toward her diploma.

Read More

Day 3: I Want To Take My Bra Off

It's my 3rd day at the homeless shelter and today I felt a bit sad. Without a place to get proper rest, I was frustrated and angry. I filmed a video and I wanted to do a voice over but there was nowhere for me to record because there are always people around.

I had to go outside in the back and hide behind a trailor. It came out well though.

I did my first radio interview today and they TRASHED me saying that it seems like I just gave up on life and I'm not doing anything inspirational. I didn't get upset. I know how radio works. Sensationalism sells. I laughed it off, tried to defend myself and when I simply decided not to, the interview ended.

I am loving the people I am meeting at the shelter though. I look forward to seeing them and hanging out. They make me laugh which I really need since I am so focused and so busy with trying to organize the job fair, figure out how to make money and keep my own spirits up.

GOOD NEWS!

Today I signed my VERY FIRST job fair participant!

~hand claps and cheers~

It was a manager at Denny's who said that she would participate and give a homeless woman a shot at employment.

The job fair is 3 weeks away and I still don't have everything together but I am trying. Tomorrow I am going to spend all day calling businesses and trying to get them to participate.

I am tired. I am cranky. I want to lounge around in my underwear with no bra but I can't. I am missing having my own home like crazy. People are writing to me telling me that I am inspirational and I like hearing it but to me, I am not a success until this project is a success. I have to make this happen but I can't do it alone.

I am so tired. I have to wake up by 5am every morning and I can't go back to sleep until after midnight. I choose to sleep on the outside patio because the air inside the building where the overflow residents sleep is way too stuffy for my taste.

I tried to talk to two homeless women today but they ignored me. I think they were annoyed.

Anyway, I will not be deterred. I finally finished the editorial for tomorrow and all I keep thinking is, "I wanna take off this bra so badly!"

I hate wearing a bra!

~sigh~

Here are the two videos I created today. The first one is a look inside the homeless shelter. The 2nd is my first lesson in mental success called: Re Program Yourself.

I hope they inspire you!

Read More

Your World News Report - April 13, 2011

By Berlyne Julmis
News Coordinator

Gas prices at An All Time High

Gas prices are at an all time high and many Americans are feeling the strain of rising prices. The national average for regular at the pump is $3.79, but in many states consumers are already paying $4 a gallon. The up rise in protest and the fight for democracy in many Middle East countries and Muslim nations, such as, Libya and Saudi Arabia are causing an increase in the price of oil. Economists have predicted that gas prices will continue to rise throughout the spring.

READ MORE


Government Shutdown Averted

Congress manages to avoid a government shutdown at the eleventh hour with the deadline
rapidly approaching. Democrats and Republicans agreed on a temporary deal that will keep
the government functioning--$38 billion is proposed to be cut from this year budget alone and
in the long run $500 billion would be slashed. Among the many programs that will be affected
are WIC, Foreign Food Assistance and Related Programs, Even Start, Striving Readers, Literacy
through School Libraries, Rental Assistance Program, Hope IV, HUD, Transportation, Green Jobs Innovative Fund, HIV AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, FEMA, and Career Education. There are no proposed cuts for the US Senate, US House, Capitol Visitors Center, and Library of Congress at this time.

READ MORE


FCAT 2.0

Florida students commenced two weeks of FCAT testing this week. Students are taking the new state standardizes FCAT 2.0 with new reading and math requirements this week. In previous years the FCAT was scheduled prior to spring break this year state officials scheduled the writing section in March, but allotted children and teachers more time to prepare for the math, reading, and science segments. The final day of FCAT testing is April 22nd with Science. Governor Rick Scott recently signed into law a bill that will affect teachers’ salary pending on students’ performance on the FCAT, but this will take effect next school year.

READ MORE


2012 Republicans Unofficial Presidential Bid

Former Governors Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty have both made claims for the presidential race of 2012 presumably after president Obama announces his bid for reelection. Both have formed exploratory committees allowing the candidates to start hiring staff and raise money for a shot to prevail as the Republican nomination which will the run against president Obama in 2012 General Election. These are just two of republicans of the many expected to make a bid for president -- republicans are not allowed to make an official bid until next year spring.

READ MORE

Read More