Bad Weather, Necklaces, and Itineraries... AKA RANDOM!

Well, I haven't written in a couple of weeks although I originally planned on posting more often. A HUGE storm came through New Mexico and severely threw a lot of people off keel. Below zero temperatures, frozen pipes, rolling blackouts, and inability to bathe, wash laundry and/or dishes caused many people to cancel travel plans, not go into work and just be plain flat out bummed. Instead of being productive, I bundled up, suffering from cabin fever (Tres did also). When the storm passed, and everyone was back in business, Las Cruces had ONE beautiful day of 70 degree temps and lots of sunshine... then the wind moved in. The only good that came of it was a beautiful sunset because of the light reflecting off all the dust in the air.

I finally got back into the swing of things and am getting back to priorities. I've continued making more necklaces and was saddened  to discover that none of them had sold at the couple of feed stores I was doing consignment with. I went ahead and did a Valentine's special on them. I'm more so excited about seeing someone wearing a necklace I made and telling her girlfriends about it, than I am about pocketing the money (but believe me, I do NEED to start getting some income. My costs are totally outweighing  my profit, and it doesn't take an economist to know that that isn't a good thing!)

I know once I target the exact right market, at the exact right location, at the exact right time, I'll be in business. As a marketing and advertising major, it's exciting to put my education to work, but sadly, when the large sum of money needed to invest in the venture isn't there, Marketer X is left with lots of trial and error. Thus far, I am tackling Ebay, Etsy, and Facebook advertising. It isn't necessarily difficult, just time consuming and somewhat expensive. But as the saying goes, "It takes money to make money".
Below are some of my favorite necklaces I've created thus far...

As for "prepping for Belgium", it's time to admit that having a sister who loves to travel and tour interesting places, is great when you're planning a trip to study abroad. Below is a quick overview of how my month overseas will be spent:

Thursday March 10, 2011

Depart Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson Airport         5:40PM

Friday March 11, 2011

Arrive London Gatwick Airport                        7:00AM

Check into Holiday Inn Express London Earls Court

        

Saturday March 12- Monday March 14, 2011

London

Tuesday March 15, 2011

Check out of London Hotel

Easyjet Flight 8875
Depart London Gatwick Airport 1:25PM
Arrive Amsterdam Schipol Airport 3:40PM

Wednesday March 16- Thursday March 17, 2011

Amsterdam/Day Trips around Holland

Friday March 18, 2011

Train to Ghent Sint Pieters Leeuw

Check into Green Park Hotel B&B

        

Saturday March 19- Sunday March 20

Day trips to Paris and Brussels

Monique and Lonnie check into Brussels Airport Hotel Sunday Evening

Monday March 21, 2011

Begins classes

Monique and Lonnie Depart Brussels National Airport

Saturday April 9, 2011

Depart Brussels National Airport                      10:30AM

Arrive Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson Airport          2:20PM

Post-Travel Arrangements

Tuesday April 12 2011

Depart Houston Intercontinental Airport            1:25PM

Arrive Albuquerque International Sunport          2:25PM

Its like I have my very own personal travel agent. Lonnie has done SO MUCH research and is really putting a lot of time and effort to assure this trip goes as planned. If I don't get lost or stolen, it should be a success! For now, I will continue reading my tour books, and working on my introduction to Dutch. Time is flying and I can't believe I will be leaving at the beginning of March! Then I'll come home and graduate in May! Where is all this time going? Do I have proof that the way I've passed it has been worthwhile?