Santa's Little Helper

It seems just yesterday I had lots of free time being occupied by Netflix and boredom while I tried finding something to do in this town. Until I got a phone call asking me to come work for Cherry Hills again! For anyone who doesn't know this is the same company that I did the Easter Bunny for, only this time around I'm Santa's helper! I chose to come back once again as an assistant manager and even have some of the same crew from last season. The big difference with this job is unlike a bunny suit, you cannot throw anyone in as Santa because he talks and has his face showing etc. We have about 3 men who all come in on different shifts to interact with the kids and they are all great at what they do and really nice guys. In shows and movies they always act like the mall Santa is just any guy willing to take the job for a couple hundred extra dollars and could care less. I was shocked to figure out that not only did they take their jobs so seriously, they book jobs year round! 

We are located in the Downtown Summerlin Mall inside the giant Igloo right next to the skating rink. If I walk outside I get to see families skating alongside Elsa and Anna on one side, a Christmas tree lot to the other, and a giant Christmas tree behind us. The mall wanted us to go for a very chic modern feel and I think they did a good job, however I'm a little sad I have to wear all black. I think I'm the only employee who was HOPING to be dressed like an elf, but we could have at least got a red apron. When you bring your child into the igloo they are greeted by Santa as they tell him what they want for Christmas and even hand him a letter, then hop on the lap to smile for a photo or two. While the parents choose the best photo and package they want the kids will be getting a light up reindeer nose as a present from Santa. From there they can tell the cashier if they want to buy a frame or plush and pay. By the time you are done the photos have been printed and handed to you along with a shutterfly gift card as a present for the parents. If you come in early your kids can get a lot of one on one time with Santa but the closer it gets to Christmas the pace is going to pick way up. 

So even though my schedule is busy now why did I choose to stay? I would never come back if I didn't like it and this is one of my favorite jobs I've done. I get to work with adorable children, make the parents happy, and work with a fun crew. Not to mention I get to learn how to use the camera, POS register inside and out, helping managing a crew, customer experience and so much more. Hope to see you there!

Cats out of the bag!

So this is a serious topic that I've kept kind of under wraps until recently. For anyone who doesn't know yet I have dropped out of college. Some people may be wondering why and thinking it was a bad idea but I want to assure you it wasn't. I'll start by saying that I haven't been happy in college for a while now I love taking classes for learning but couldn't find motivation for my major. I chose a major that was easy but I didn't like and then tried switching it to a subject I loved but wasn't good at but neither felt right. This is when the worst summer of my life happened, I was told by a family member who was supporting me I was cut off. I tried calling another family member for advice or help and was told to suck it up and drop out if I can't hack it. In retrospect I should have known to go to a friend for this rather than family, it's never been a good idea. My bf was donating plasma and I was taking odd jobs that would accept me in order to not lose the apartment and afford ramen. I tried donating too but passed out and was told by a doctor I physically couldn't. We couldn't afford to run the AC when it was reaching 112 outside. We sat down and had a very serious talk about what we were going to do. It was obvious how unhappy I was and I admitted it was because I didn't want a career, I wanted to be a stay at home wife and mom someday. We kept talking about how possible it was and what our life would look like. I have to work for now while he is in school, so I kept taking odd jobs to build up a resume and hopefully get a real job. Still it was absolutely terrifying that I wasn't a student anymore and had no safety net until the day I worked a bachelor party. Another girl was there as a bartender named Jayde and we hit it off immediately. She was about the same age as me and had also dropped out. She was this carefree breath of fresh air who took what she wanted and it actually came to her. She showed me another side of living in Vegas and even ran a successful blog which I had wanted to start for years. She inspired me to let loose some, to start my blog, and not be ashamed of my decision. Thinking back to how unhappy I was and how negatively I viewed my future only a year ago, it's really obvious how much happier I am and excited I am for the future. Most of my jobs have been a blast and given me interesting experiences.I don't regret any of my decisions because they have given me good and bad experiences and I finally feel like there is a destination so the road no matter how long, seems brighter.

All I want for Christmas...

I haven't posted in a long time and that habit is breaking as of now. I'm also going to be posting different types of blogs because I'm still new to the game and don't want to get stuck right off the bat. A girl needs to experiment a while don't you think? This one is going to be very much different from anything else though because it's about Christmas gifts. Being a broke ass college student has really killed my Christmas spirit. I can't afford to get anyone Christmas presents which upsets me because I used to love doing this. I still make a list every year of the perfect presents to get the people in my life. If you have given me gifts since 2009 I want you to know to extremely grateful I am. They are not expected and make me appreciate our relationships. If you haven't gotten me any because you too can't afford it, I feel you bro. I've had a couple people ask me what I want this year so I thought I would just put it in a blog that anyone can go to and read, and know they are cherished by me. Hopefully in less than a years time I will be traveling oversees, so the best things will be something I can use in the meantime, but won't feel bad when I can't take it with me. This is a list of main items that fit this list. All these things you can buy yourself or in the form of a gift card. I also chose things where it doesn't matter if by some miracle two people got me the same thing.

1. Sims 4 expansions and stuff packs- I know there's probably an online way to do this but Origin is confusing and stupid so I'd stick with hard copies. I have the get to work, but any of the others would be a great addition.
2. Lush products- lush is the cheapest place that sells natural products for my annoyingly sensitive skin (like face wash, masks, shampoo, etc). rest assured if you get me this it will go to good use.
3. Anything from ELF- Every girl needs makeup and ELF offers it at the cheapest prices available for the quality. 
4. Money!!!- Hey, it never fails.
5. Victoria Secret- This one you'll probably have to do gift cards, as I don't plan on giving out my measurements online ;)

This list can also double for birthdays, thank you.

Ariana Grande 2nd base W/ Donut

I'll start by saying that this blog is supposed to entail my opinion on current events as well as talk about my life. So can we talk about Ariana for a second? There's a video going around of Grande licking a display doughnut and then saying she hates America. I know we like to act like celebrities live in some alternate universe to us, but in reality she IS American. I don't know about you guys, but everyone I know has said at some point that they hate this country. One of the things I like is that I'm allowed to have a negative opinion about this country, a privilege not everyone gets. It was a holiday and she seems drunk. Yes Ariana was rude and obviously needs to grow up some. However she doesn't need to apologize to the world or have her actions called disgusting, or arrested for "contamination" because she may have licked a display doughnut. She needs to march her perky butt down to that shop and apologize to that worker. When I hear something about a celebrity I always picture them as a normal person I know and then form my opinion. Because believing they are held to a different standard is what causes the holier than though attitudes in them we hate in the first place. I hope we don't live in a world where if I snap at a stranger I have to post a YouTube video about my mistakes.

Always An Adventure In TV Land & Sin City

I didn't mention that sometimes people mistake our set for a real coffee shop and try to walk in. This happened yesterday while we were shooting. I honestly thought the couple once they realized their mistake would leave, but they were really interested in it. Before I even knew it they were handing us a flyer of their own show they do here at Vegas and saying that they might be able to advertise on the show.I swear everyone out here has something which just amazes me so much. Especially since the woman who brought the dogs who we planned on having gave us free tickets to her show, a topless revue that takes place in one of the casinos. My biggest complaint when I got here is how hard it is to get a job because everyone knows everyone but now it's what I love most. You have might have to fight your way in, but you CAN get in or you aren't even trying. Not to say that's a bad thing, I kind of like not having any expectations on my shoulders whatsoever but I don't really like going unnoticed..Notice me senpai!

Photo Op Time!

Last Week or so we did the photo shoot for the advertisements, billboards, etc. There isn't too much to tell but a lot to show, so this post will mostly be pictures and rightly so. We got pizza for the cast that everyone was too scared to eat until after their photos were taken, you can probably guess that I wasn't one of those people. I was the girl who had a slice before and after and now can't stop thinking about how badly I need to get into shape. Hollywood fad diets here I come, next up military diet! Everyone was fun and took great pictures, mine were hit and miss because it's rare for others to take my photo and I don't know how to position myself. I should really work on that, but first I'll work on my ass so it becomes naturally more photogenic.

 

 

D Coffee Shop Closes at 9PM!

So I have scoured Craigslist for fun and odd jobs and met my share of creeps, cons, and easy money. I came across an opportunity that has made me drop my listing addiction and kept me busy. I saw an ad for a television show being filmed here in Vegas and needed some more people to be part of the team. Of course I jumped on it, but how I actually got it I have no idea. The show is called D Coffee Shop Closes At 9PM. I read the script for the 1st episode and have to say it's right up my alley. It reminds me of the old Twilight Zone episodes (which I'm a HUGE fan of) but where the person who enters it is able to escape better off. My title is sales executive and I'm trying to get people to advertise on the show. So far it's been really fun working alongside Steven Rush and Lakisha Swift and even getting to go to Interop and the proceeding after parties hosted by various businessmen. After which I got to meet "Big Tigger" and get a photo op. I don't want to give a lot away, but will of course post about my best adventures on the job right here. If you live in the Vegas area make sure to tune into MYLVTV when it finally airs in August, and in the meantime you can always go to http://www.lovemindspirit.com/dcoffee.html to learn about the show and some of the stars on it.

Athena's: Goddess Of Jewelry

 Yesterday my job Led me and my boss downtown to the container park. I had only been there one other time, but it was late so all the shops were closed and I was kind of drunk. I was afraid the shops were going to be full of stereotypical Venice beach style shops with nothing unique when I went to my meeting at Jewelry By Athena. It's a small shop located on the second floor that grabs your attention pretty quickly. Necklaces hanging on the open door because the shop is too full to hold them all. When you walk in there's an older woman behind the counter who greeted us politely by the name of Athena. I wish I had taken a picture of her, because she was picture perfect and exactly what comes to mind when someone talks about their amazing grandmother we all want. She told us how she made everything from hand and only started doing this work 4 years prior! That alone was inspiration that you're never too old to learn something new or find your talent. Her employee Kandi whom I had been talking to over Facebook came in and was one of the happiest people I've met. After explaining the pitch to them we asked to take some pictures of their work to see what we liked and they insisted we try everything on and it turned into a full blown selfie fashion show! As a girl who isn't that fond of jewelry and especially the chunky kind, I worked up the courage to try on a couple dainty pieces I found. They were nice, But I then found myself reaching for the big bright blue stone inlaid in gold wrapped wire and matching chain. I was hooked! I really wish I had worn a better shirt, my boss had on a black tank top that went with everything and I was completely jealous. But even though the Egyptian style green gym and gold band necklace you see above clashes with my baby pink floral shirt, you can still see how beautiful it really is. I could see me pairing it with
a simple top and feeling like a powerful Goddess. Or the one right below it with something bold and feeling like an ethereal being. My boss tried on one that was almost a choker and was titanium that looked like it belonged on her neck. These two were my favorites, but I honestly wanted everything in her shop. I plan on coming back for something amazing but in the meantime will have to settle for hopefully doing business with her.This is the kind of shop that deserves customers.

Most embarrassing moment in College!

First let me start off by saying a couple things. Yes I've cleaned my apartment it's one of the reasons I haven't had any writing material recently. Yes I plan on covering an actual event in my next piece, but not today! Now onto the topic at hand. I was out and about today and chugging my favorite green tea from my favorite water bottle to keep my spirits and caffeine intake high. I couldn't help being reminded of my most embarrassing moment in college at UNLV that happened just last semester, and involved this water bottle. I was on my way to my Asian Studies class which was my favorite but was also later at night on one of my busier days. I had also been freelance writing for a business man here in Vegas so I was really tired and decided to switch out my water for some diet Dr. Pepper AKA my weakness at the time. I usually had a small water bottle with a twist on lid I used for soda so my water bottle wouldn't develop a funky taste. The small size also helped me from getting more than I should. Well today I had forgotten it and decided what the hell, I'll just use my regular one this once, no biggie. As you can see this water bottle is not a twist cap, it's a pressure cap with a straw. So I got to class early like always, sat down, opened my bottle....and it ERUPTED!!! I don't mean it got on the table some or fizzed over. I mean it shot out in a beam that almost touched the ceiling and got everywhere. It was all over the table, the floor, and of all over me. Everyone watched what happened in silence as it happened. After sitting there for what seemed like forever just staring into nothing thinking "what have I done", I stood up and walked out. I really wish I could have heard any conversations that happened when I left because I'm sure there was some. I passed the professor who just gave me a weird look. Now don't think I'm the evil kind of person who would actually leave and not come back with a sticky classroom behind me. I went into the bathroom to wash myself off a bit and grabbed as many paper towels as I could and headed back. I walked into that classroom and cleaned up every bit of sticky soda that was there, washed off my water bottle, and sat down just in time to start class. I still drank what was left in my bottle, I just kept the lid off and never talked to anyone in that class. I did however have to give a presentation not too long after about Hmong culture and you would be stupid to think I didn't have that on my mind the whole time. Mentos-Coke via photopin (license)

I have a problem!

Can we talk for a moment about my hoarding obsession? It makes no sense! I hate clutter and long for a modern, minimalist style, with a touch of zen. What's keeping me from this? A fear of throwing anything out that I've had for as long as I can remember. The other day I looked around and screamed "I just want to throw all of this away!" I then picked up a tiny water bottle and said "I might need this", and set it down. Maybe this is the complex that comes with a person who has no sense of permanence. Or because being poor has led me to believe if I run out of things, what will I have to do? But the oddest part is that you would think someone with this mindset would have the sense of style that comes with it. Maybe a rustic or Liberace mess. But just looking at anything like that gives me anxiety, which is the reason I always have anxiety. So I should just throw everything out once I'm done with my perpetual laziness. I should probably be a good blogger and show you before and after pictures, maybe even some of the process. Then again that would mean you seeing how horrid my abode is. Maybe just of the closet? I wallow in a life of hypocrisy everyday that I'm too lazy to clean. Part of me knows I should just hire a maid, one of those naked ones I always see advertised on Craigslist. Yes, I would like that but alas I need to do this alone.

2 weeks of Easter

I haven't cared to celebrate Easter since I was told I wasn't allowed to participate in those egg hunts for 13 and under, which was when I was about 16. What can I say? There's perks to looking young and one of them was my favorite holiday activity. We seriously need an adult version, get it together! While scouring Craigslist I see an ad to be the Easter bunny for a couple weeks and jumped on it. Having to stand there in a costume hugging kids for a couple hours a day and get paid? Sounds pretty sweet. When I got to the interview she liked me so much she offered to make me assistant manager (I couldn't get manager because I didn't have a car). I was stoked because this would be almost a real job and look amazing on a resume.For the most part the job was easy enough, learned on the spot, and the parents were fairly nice albeit a little too anal about how their child's picture with the Easter bunny is going to look. The suit was hot and sweaty, the mall was outdoors and hot enough it melted our keyboard. Twice. The part I hated was they didn't offer overtime. For the days I worked over 8 hours they transferred the extra to other days and I couldn't work over 40 in the week. The last day was also the first day of a pay period so I didn't have these restrictions. I got there before anyone else and a few hours in our district manager showed up saying she wanted me at her mall since she was short staffed. She promised at the end we would throw everything in the storage to deal with tomorrow, then give me a ride home. She had also praised her team so much, when we got there her team was so whiny and rude I couldn't believe it. We closed an hour later than we were supposed to and she decided she wanted to box up everything right there. I almost passed out a couple times but persevered through an almost 17 hour shift. I laid in bed for 2 days which is why it took me so long finally crawl out from my blankets and write this. That and the fact that I went back and forth on whether or not I should. Mostly because God forbid anyone at the company sees this and gets mad when they're still holding my paychecks. On the plus side we made enough to get the bonus, which means I get about 19 extra dollars altogether.Happy Easter everyone!

A Review Goes Awry

So I had my first official blog post all picked out and was STOKED for it. My girls Dorothy Wang and Morgan Stewart threw a Spring Break party here in Vegas. They are the stars in one of my favorite shows Rich Kids Of Beverly Hills, which airs on E! I was going to write an amazing review of the party and maybe even speak with them, since Morgan is the reason I was inspired to finally start the adventure that is this blog. I called my friend Jayde, who promised she could get us in and the fun would start as soon as I was off work. Alas, I'm the kind of girl who never has my plans go right, my life could be a boring sitcom on TV Land. Our trip started off by going to whole foods to pick up the fixings for dinner compliments of her bf. We then went to his place and chilled by the pool, drinking chai with liqueur and taking selfies. After having an amazing burger and watching them hack apart a fish that I'm sure tasted delicious if I could stomach seafood. I was in high spirits as we picked out our outfits and headed to my place to get ready. But the second we entered my tiny apartment with no AC, Jayde was passed out on my couch bed (yes, I have a couch bed). I assumed she was still a little drunk and would be fine after a little nap, and proceeded to get ready. I soon realized this was not intoxication, it was from the heat and there's no way she was going to make it. Especially not to a club filled with warm bodies dancing. So while I didn't get to go to the party, my day actually went better than I thought. I have this tendency where if I make plans that are too good, I never believe it will happen until I'm there. So I at least half believed I would be stuck at work all day and come home to watch tv. I still got to lay by the pool, eat amazing food with good company which was worth it in my book. I was pretty bummed watching the Instagram pics and snaps of the night I missed, but I'll see you next time Morgan Stewart and Dorothy Wang. You know you can't stay away from Vegas! 

About Me

So this is my first official blog post, of course it has to be about me! Too bad I'm not sure what to say. I've wanted to start this blog for years now and recently found  some inspiration to say fuck it and begin. I guess I'll start by telling you my name is Rachel. My favorite colors are purple and teal, I like yoga and video games (nothing 1st person), and am a Pisces. I traveled all over the United States as a kid but if someone asks me where I'm from I say LA. It was the 1st place I lived away from my family and I feel once you're an adult that's kind of where you start over and become a real person. I live in Vegas for now but hopefully not for too much longer, the summers here kill me. After this I'm going international baby! I cannot wait to travel the world with my man by my side. So what can I say about myself? I'm a 5'3 white girl just trying to make her way in a city of scams. But I love my life no matter how much I complain because I am the one who shaped it into what it is. So I can either be proud or shamed of it, I guess you could say it's a little of both. I'll be making my first good post very soon, so stick around!

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