New Nursing Job

Today I made it official.  I decided to leave my part-time night shift oncology nursing job and take on a new job as a full time day shift clinic nurse.  I will be doing advise nursing in the ophthalmology clinic.

Making this decision was very difficult.  I love working in oncology.  I learned a lot and I love the people I work with.  It has been very emotionally draining to be at work.  Working with really really sick and dying patients was taking a toll on me.  Plus the lack of sleep from working nights.  I wanted to have a normal life.

When my sister who is my sitter for my baby decided to take a full time job, I decided maybe it is time to make the change too.  To be honest I was not sure what I was getting into.  I know I wanted to have a day shift job, but I want sure if I wanted to leave my unit.  I applied to a handful of positions.  I had a callback for 4!!!

I interviewed for 3 positions: clinic, care coordinator/case manager, nurse reviewer.  I finally told my boss about my applications.  She was disappointed to hear I was considering to leave.  I was thinking of staying and waiting for a day shift on my unit to open, but realize I did not want to continue giving chemo and deal with stress and drama.  My biggest reason to leave was for me.  I was thinking about when I was pregnant and how high my blood pressure was from the stress of work and  nights.  I have a family now and if I want to be around for them and have more babies I need to stop working here!!!

I received an offer for all 3 positions.  I was torn to which one I should get!!!  I also got a call back to interview for the breast cancer care coordinator.    I decided not to interview at this time.  I examined the pro and cons of each jobs and decided it would be better to take the clinic job.  I would rather deal with traffic because it is farther away from home so that I can I can be on day shift, Monday to Friday, some Saturday on, holidays off, same pay and protected by nursing labor contract with full time benefits for medical dental vacation and sick pay.

It is bittersweet to leave however I am looking forward to the change.  I am looking forward to the new opportunity.

How does a mommy balance it all?

How do you balance taking care of a baby, cleaning, cooking, working and above all save money?  I work part-time so I work 3-4 days which mean I get 3-4 days off.  My days off goes by so fast.  I need to figure out how you mommies do it.

Looking back at my grandma and mommy, it is definitely hard to balance it all.  My mom worked 3 jobs one point of her life to put my sister and I in preschool.  My mom would work full time her day job, part time evening shift and on the weekend.  My mom or dad would drop us off to school.  After school we went to after school program then my mom would pick us up and drop us off at my grandparent's house so she could go to her evening job.  I spent a lot of time at my grandparent's house with my cousins.  I was lucky to have a great grandma who cooked a home cook Filipino meal every night.  My dad would then pick us up from our grandparent's house to go home.  On the weekend when my mom was not working her full time job she spent it doing laundry, cleaning.  If she cook it was a big pot that could last a couple days.  As children, my sister and I had to help do chores around the house since our parents were so busy.  We were good kids...

Me and my sister were talking about how this and I am trying to figure out solutions to making life easier.

1.  Cleaning schedule.  On my days off instead of spending all day cleaning I will break up tasks during the week so that I am still able to go out and hang out.

Everyday:

Clean Bottle and dishes

Wipe down kitchen and table surfaces

Sweep kitchen and carpet

Days off

Day 1: Laundry and bathroom 

Day 2: vacuum, mop, dust, doors and light switch

*Once a month 

Clean out fridge

Sanitize Trash can

Organize mail and receipts 

Ac and dryer vents 

*Once a year clean

January: Organize personal files

organize cabinets, drawers, closets

Fans 

Blinds and Curtains 

Light fixtures 

Stains off Carpet 

hard to reach 

Appliances

Windows and outdoor

Garage 

Toss expired medicine and foods

December: Donate clothes 

2. Budgeting.  The hardest thing to do, but since I got a new car and after my tax return is done I can pay off some bills and figure out how to free up some unnecessary spending.

3.  Meal planning, freezer and slow cooker meals.

4.  Continue to work out... haha hope I can.

New family car

I am so happy I was able to trade in my BMW for a 2014 Rav4.  I am super happy with this trade.  It is spacious and a perfect family car!!!  I love the color, the interior and backup camera!!!

Lets do it again, the GAR

So I signed up for the Great Aloha Run.  I'm a little nervous since I'm a new mom and wondering how I will schedule runs/exercise, chores, breastfeeding, pumping and now work.  It has been a challenge trying to juggle the new life changes.

My goals for this GAR
1. run in the morning before my BF goes to work and while my sister is here babysitting baby
2. walk daily with dogs and baby or with my sister and the babies
3. when not walking try to do exercise video, Jillian Micheal's 30 day shed

Before I gave birth, I weight about 185 pounds.  I am now 166-169 pounds.  I need a little push, so hopefully I can get down to my pre-pregnancy weight of 159-164.

It's official I am a homeowner

08/14/2012 - My HOT date, the home orientation tour aka final walk through before closing

Closed escrow, mortgage loan signed, money funded.

08/16/2012 - It's official I am a homeowner

Mid-point hard hat tour

The big day to meet my house inside.  I visit my house like 1-2x a week.  I feel like a stalker crazy women watching the construction guys work at my house.  I have been so nervous and excited to actually go inside my house.  Still cant believe that this is mines.  My BF, dad and I went to check it out.  Met with Malcom the construction manager to look at the skeleton of the house.  Got to see my house while they were working on pluming, tub, electrical, and insulation.  This month they will finish the dry wall and the roofing.

Finalized the options and upgrades for my house

March 28: Before I left for Texas, I was able to schedule an appointment with Judy, the interior designer.   We were able to discuss some of the interior options for my house.  I was given a month to think of my about my options before making a decision. I left for Texas.  Did not get to see my house for 3 weeks.  While I was gone, my BF was so awesome to take pics of my house coming together so I was kept up to date on the process of my house.

April updates: It is a townhome so working on the rest of the homes

April updates: forming of the roof

April updates: Walls, Tyvex and windows

After being on vacation for 3 weeks to visit my sister I come home to my escrow papers.  I called Melvin up right away and he helped me with them on May 3. 

More paperwork.. getting closer

As soon as I landed in Hawaii, I asked to drive here so I can finally see it for myself!!!

I called Judy to finalize the interior design and options of my home.  I just mailed her my deposit check this week.  I have decided on:

• Centralized AC for the whole house
• Softer tan paint for the walls
• Honeycomb for the carpet
• White miniblinds
• Mystic Gemstone for the countertops
• Cherry kitchen and bathroom cabinets
• GE black appliances: fridge, range, upgraded diswasher, upgraded microwave range
• GE upgraded washer and dryer
• Rainglass shower door for the spare bathroom

I am really excited and cant wait to see my house, move in and live in it 

OMG ASURION!!!

This is a follow up blog about my cell phone insurance

Ok so this is my last time I am ever ever going to have a cell phone insurance.  At the rate that I am going it is not worth it to pay $5 a month, then pay $199 to get a new phone issued. AT&T and Asurion seem to both not understand each other.  One company said $30 for each claim, but the other said $199.  Make up your mind!!!

So I mailed my Asurion issued phone on March 30 via USPS. Since there was a tracking number on it, USPS said it would be easy to track.  So on April 13, AT&T or Asurion, I dont know who it was but they called my house phone asking me why the phone was not received.  I do not know why they did not call my cell so I just thought it was suspicious.  Keep in mind im on vacation in Texas.  I did not know I got a phone call till my mom told me.  I had to have my BF double check the tracking numbers to see what happen to the parcel with the phone.  According USPS and SMARTLABEL tracking, my parcel is in transit.  It was received in Sparks, NV and its final destination is Fort Worth, TX.  Funny since im in Texas, I should of just bought the package here myself...

So I called AT&T and Asurion yesterday to figure out what is going on about my cellphone. AT&T and Ausurion seem to forget about the conversation I had with them on March 28 about my phone being replaced by Apple.  Since I had no defective phone, I was suppose to send the Asurion issued phone (the iPhone 4s) back to them and use the return label.  I explained to them that since it was coming from Hawaii, it might not come right away.  I offered to send them a copy of my receipt stating I had given the parcel to USPS, but they told me it doesn't matter of the day, destination, if I have a receipt, or a tracking number if they do not received the phone in 30 days they will charge me $199.  So I asked them when would AT&T/Asurion charge me the $199.  They were so vague... they just kept saying within 30 days.  They said I was suppose to talk with USPS directly to find out what is going on with the shipment of the phone.  I spent almost an hour on the phone again with them with no real answer about what to do with the situation and just more frustration.  They made it sound like I had to accept the charge no matter what...

Today I called again to AT&T and ASURION.  I think I spent almost an hour again on the phone with them if I was going to be charged extra and explaining to them that my phone was in transit.  I insist they give me a date of when they will charge me if they do not receive the phone.  They told me if not received by March 21, by March 22 they would charge me the $199 since this is the day of the end of my billing cycle.  This representative said if it was already in Nevada, in the continental US, it should not be long till it reaches Texas.  She said to continue to monitor the USPS and SMARTLABEL tracking system and be sure to check back with AT&T and Asurion before the 21st to make sure the cellphone was received.  If it was not received by then, I could get charged by Asurion for the missing phone.  She then said since I have proof I sent it and per the USPS and SMARTLABEL tracking its in transit, AT&T said I will actually be waived the charge as long as the phone is received.

I was just so frustrated with everything happening  I finally asked AT&T if I can just discontinue using the Asurion insurance for $5 a month.  I told them if shit happens with my phone,  I would rather pay full retail price for a new phone then deal with Asurion again.  It is not worth it to get charged $5 a month then get charged $199 for an insurance claim... so in the end cell phone insurance is not worth it.  Just take care of your phone.

Insurance

Nursing Insurance, Life Insurance, Auto Insurance, Home Insurance... really do we need it all.  This past month has been all about getting insurance for EVERYTHING.  Like honestly, do I need to spend money for a just in case something bad could happen.  I guess so..

LIFE OF MY APPLE IPHONE
I had my Apple 3gs for almost 1 year.   My phone broke right before my warranty was out due to water damange.  I went to Apple to get a replacement.  Apple actually gave me a new phone but told me they dont normally do this since it is not suppose to be covered by warranty.  My second phone would only have a 30 days of warranty so if it broke and it did due to chocolate damage, I would be out of luck with Apple.  Good thing I was eligible for a upgraded phone/plan with AT&T.

I trialed an Android phone, but did not like it and decided to get the iPhone 4 instead.  When my iPhone 4 was sold to me, the sales representative told me it would be $5 a month if I was interested in the insurance.  This would include getting a replacement phone even if you had water damage.  I was happy to hear that since my first iPhone needed to be replaced due to water damage.
 
So I have a iPhone 4 with phone insurance from Asurion.  I dont think I could live without my phone so when my 4 started to act up on me I admit I panic.  I had jello damage.  So I though it would be like water damage.  I did not bother letting Apple know, I called AT&T and told them I wanted to get a replacement phone due to water damage.  I figure I paid $5 a month so I should be entitled to get a new phone.  The AT&T/Asurion representative told me it would be $30 for the claim and I agreed to the charge.

Well my phone started to overheat and I was curious to find out what was really happening to my phone so I went to Apple and they diagnosis my phone with a speaker defect.  I got a replacement phone.  So keep in mind I was also getting a replacement phone from AT&T too.  So I figure ok 2 new phones, cool.

Then I get my new phone from AT&T.  The awesome part of the of this new phone is it's a 4s!!!  So I was pretty excited, but something in me was saying something was wrong.  I had to send my defective phone to AT&T/Asurion or I will have to pay for full retail price of the phone.  Oh no!  So I called AT&T and the honest part of me explained to them what happened.

This is where I get pist because I basically spent 1 hour fighting with AT&T and Asurion for being vague and not explaining how to file an insurance claim.  I did not have a defective phone.  It was replaced by Apple and I had 2 new phones. I asked them what is the right thing to do.  Do I send in the new phone from Apple or the new 4s from AT&T.  Apparently if I dont send the defective phone I will get charged full retail price for the replacement phone.  Also I was informed that the claim charge was $199, not $30.  I did not know what to do and was just mad since basically they misrepresented information to me about the charge and did not explain to me the full details of the insurance program. Apparently Asurion and AT&T dont know anything about communicating the details of the program to their clients, they only know how to rip them off!!!

So ultimately in the end I had to return the 4s.  Too bad for me, but I guess I should be happy that I wont be charged the extra money for the claim, as long as I return the 4s ASAP.  Oh well it was nice to look at the 4s.

my replacement iPhone 4, the 2nd

So at first getting my phone set up was a pain.  But now I am grateful that Apple has a warranty and has the iCloud for backup.  I was able to bring my phone back to life, like it was the same phone, damage.  Everything is pretty much recovered, just slow to recover.  The iCloud is an amazing program from Apple almost like an insurance.  It backs up your settings, apps, mail, pics, etc.  Thank God!!!  I guess insurance is a good thing.  You just never know what can happen and better to be safe than sorry.

In escrow and mortgage home loan approved

January 13: I was walking around the mall and I ran into a kisok with real estate advertising.  I always wanted to buy a house, but wasn't sure when was a good time to buy one.  Melvin was the realtor hosting the kiosk.  He is a very charismatic man and he convinced me to meet with him and a loan officer to see if I can get pre-qualified for a house. 

At first I was very resistant to meet him.  I think mostly I was scared and I did not think I could qualify or have the funds to afford a house.  You see, I was suppose to buy a house with my ex-husband, but he screwed me over in the house buying process and stole all our money for gambling and ruined my credit.  Took me an aggressive 1 year to get myself out of divorce credit card debt... Anyways buying a house is a personal subject for me.  If I could get my own house, it would definitely prove that I was independent, especially financially independent

Took a chance and I met up with Melvin in is his office that day.  We went over what I want for a home: decent townhouse in a safe/quiet neighborhood away from traffic and school, with non-carpet flooring, big space/kitchen with a lot of light, 2+ bedrooms, garage or enough for 2 parking and pet friendly. In the next week I had conversation with Erica from Wels Fargo about income, taxes and how much I was wiling to spend.  I was happy to find out I was pre-qualified for a home.  I was afraid that my bad credit from ex-husband would prevent me from getting qualified. 

January 27: I met with Melvin again, but this time to go house hunting.  We look at a few places online and in person, but I had my heart set on a new development in Kapolei, Hawaii.  It is a planned community that still needs to be build, but they have some model homes available .  I have been scoping the area and looking at the website for townhomes for months now so I was excited to finally check it out.  When we got there and toured the homes, I was so impressed, I could imagine myself moving in already.  It was pretty much a done deal.  BJ who is the realtor for the company was helping us and she could tell I loved it.  We made an appointment to do the sales contract and also made an appointment with Suzie who will help me finance my home.  The next day I gave them a check to hold the property.

February 1 was the day I signed my sales contract

My piece of Hawaiian dirt

Reading my owner's manual as my home gets built

Men starting to work on the townhouse

Hello March, hello more house building movement!!!

Laying the re bar

Working on the foundation

Pouring the concrete

My foundation is set

Framing

The house is still in process.   I am happy to announce that I am in escrow.  I am just waiting for my escrow paperwork to come in so I can start the process.  I am also happy that my mortgage home loan has been approved.  Now we just need the construction guys to finish building the house and then closing.  I will be able to pick out my paint, carpet/flooring, blinds, cabinets, tub and appliance with Judy the interior designer soon =)

my very own car

I bought a second hand car.  My very own car.  Ok its a BMW.  Its hot... and I definitely deserve it.  I waited until I can pay for it.  Yes I pay for my own car.  I can afford it.

 

Updates: Started working at Marine Corps CDC with preschool children.  I also recently got hired as a ward clerk at S Hospital (In regards to HIPAA/safety/privacy/confidentiality I will not mention where I will be working.  Thanks for your understanding).  Not exactly working as a nurse yet, but at least I am making that money, working hard.  Been looking for RN jobs everywhere so hopefully I can find something soon!!!