SCAMMERS Are Everywhere! - Amway

Remember my blog post from a few weeks ago? About how I met that friendly girl in a Joan Fabrics?

Turns out next time I met this young woman in a coffee shop, she was really starting pushing this whole idea about her mentors and learning and business. Asking me if I was interested, and being completely vague.

Sorry, but your target (Me) is much too smart to fall into a pyramid scheme.
I told her I was apart of one before and she insisted that her mentors were against this. What a strange thing to say... I never said anything about her mentors as I made this comment during unrelated small talk.

She then lent me a book to read called the Go-Giver. She asked if I could finish it before we met again. Well I sat down and read it over night, it was promoting meeting people and making connections and not expecting anything in return for your acts of kindness to ultimately make you rich.

This was raising all the red flags in my head, so I googled this exact situation. Thank god for the internet. Turns out there was someone on Reddit that experienced the same thing.

People in this Reddit thread confirmed this situation was a scam. That this sounded like the company Amway. 

Amway (short for the American Way) is an Indian company that uses others to sell their products. Sort of like a Pyramid Scheme. "...Amway has also been using influencers for an extra boost, particularly in the beauty space. Shah, explains that influencer-marketing brings in a certain amount of credibility and helps them reach their target audience efficiently." - says Indiantimes.com

Well needless to say, I returned the book back and that was the last time I would meet this poor person who was trapped in the scheme. The sad part about this was that, as far as I know, she did want to lead a successful life and work less and live more.

Every one can agree that the 9 - 5 work week is excessive and people would rather be doing other things and living their lives. I guess this is a pretty easy subject to draw people in. Especially a millennial like me. We want to live more and work less. Something that is not a truly easy task more or less impossible. If anyone says other wise, they are probably a Scammer.

I just believe that the work you do should be moral and justifying. I hope she gets out some day. And I'm glad I was smart to avoid it, and have Blogger to share my experience. 

Thanks for reading and be safe out there!
Remember, to be friendly to those you meet, but don't let others take advantage of you. :) always be suspicious. 

Why Would You Backpack Solo? - My First Trip

I recently took a solo trip to Afton State Park in Minnesota. I chose this destination because I was most familiar with this location. I took my camera with me to capture my experience. Check out this video of my trip:

Were you scared to go alone?

When I first moved to Minnesota 4 years ago, the first month was terrible.
I had NEVER lived alone. I cried almost every night. I never experienced having No connections to go to for help or to only rely on myself.

I was scared when I moved here at first, but once I over came this fear I blossomed and grew as a person. I had to adapt. The benefits of making that decision out weighed the emotional consequences.
When I went camping by myself, I really didn't have a strong emotion of fear.
There was a moment when I heard wild coyotes howling, but realized they wouldn't bother me.

I proved to myself that everything alright, that nothing bad happened and I came out alive. I didn't need someone there to help me. In our minds we can create illusions or stories of what could happen. That's the "fear". More often than not its a stretch from the true.

I wasn't going to get murdered in the woods. It was more likely that if I walked in a populated city to have things happen to me. More people, more chance of problems. Less people, less problems.

Why not bring some one with you?
I've brought people along before. It is nice to have company. In fact, I prefer it. But I don't have a dependable crew of backpacking friends to hike through 30 degree weather.
This is not car camping, it's hard work and you go deep into the wilderness. You have to hike a mile or more to your campsite and carrying everything you need on your back. It's hard to ask someone to do that with you.

It's nice to go at your own pace and stick to your own plans. Make decisions that don't rely on other's opinion. This was MY trip and I was on my own schedule. I was able to capture a lot of awesome shots by taking it easy.

Overall, I wanted to take a backpacking trip this fall season, despite others saying they couldn't make it. It's something I don't like to pass up, because the backpacking experience is relaxing and rewarding.

What was your goal for all this?
The main reason is because I spend 40+ hours a week within an office building looking out the window. I'm not the kind of person who likes to be inside.

I also need alone time. Since I live with someone, and work around people all day, it's hard to do that completely.

I needed time to reflect on my life and it's progress in a open and natural environment. To get back into reality and out of my busy mind.

Instead of worrying about the "emergency" of getting to work on time, I worried if id make it to my campsite before it got dark. I worried if I brought enough food. I worried if I got injured how would I react in a real emergency. It's empowering to overcome your mind.

The daily tasks we do seem so important, but remove yourself from those and you will realize the true importance of survival and living.

I took a moment to realize that I wasn't alone. All around me in the seemly empty wilderness, life was thriving. Just as trillions of cells composed my body, it did with all living things around me. The trees, grass, sleeping bugs, and wildlife lurking. Even the wind and water and dirt are composed of elements with constant chemical reactions. We are far from alone.

Humans are a small fragment of life.
And if you put yourself in the wild away from man's inventions, you will feel this. It all seems trivial and beautiful.

Make Connections - Be Friendly

10/23/18 -- This meeting turned out to be with a scammer check out my more recent blog after reading this--

Today I came across someone totally by chance. Just going to the fabric store to pick up some fabric. We were both there for difference reasons.

"Nice backpack!" Her voice took me by surprise. We got to chatting. About why we were in the fabric store, then about our occupations. Soon we are talking about how we didn't want to work the rest of our lives. How we wanted to spend our time wisely and make the best of it all.

We both wanted to plan for a bright and exciting future. She mentioned she had a mentor for whom she was learning self sufficient business skills and maybe some time she would introduce us. We exchanged contact information and planned to meet again.
It's amazing who you'll meet if you are a friendly and open with others.



Who knows where this relationship or any could take me. Maybe a new opportunity, a good friend, or maybe it she will never hit me up again. Either way, taking these chances are what could lead us to our dreams.

"Always be friendly, always be kind,
Like the most beautiful flower that you can find."

Debasish Mridha


10/23/18 -- This meeting turned out to be with a scammer check out my more recent blog after reading this--

Packing For Backpacking

Today I started to prep for my backpacking trip coming up next weekend. It's always good to lay everything out to see if you are missing anything.

I am staying 1 night and doing a day hike. So I want to pack lite and only bring the essentials.

------------------------------
Here is what's in my pack again if you missed the previous blog:

The rabbit, Goob, wants to come... but he can't :( 

Wearing
Hair Tie
Long Sleeve Shirt
Undershirt
Jacket
Under Leggings
Pants
Long Thick Hiking Socks
Under garments
Hiking Boots

Required
Backpack
Water Bag
Water bottle (Empty, used for getting extra water for cooking)
Tent
Sleeping Pad
Sleeping Bag
Dried Food Packs
Waste Bag
Cooking supplies (compressed pot and burner with fuel)
Head Lamp
Phone Fully Charged (emergency use only)
First Aid Kit
Compass
Park Map
Female Funnel
Pee bottle (I don't leave the tent after dark, too much work)

Luxury
Tiny tooth brush
Tiny tooth paste
Tiny hair brush
Tissues
Change of Socks/Under garments
Compressed Pillow

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If you noticed that I hilighted the dried food, that is one thing I still need to get.
Since my last backpacking trip, I have become a veggitarian. So my 2 bulk supplies of dried foods all of which containing beef or chicken, are useless to me now.
I will be giving these to a friend.

So I looked up a recipe blend that I can take with me.

Trail Tacos
2 Oz Instant Refried Beans
1.5 Oz Instant Rice
1 Oz Fritos (Chips)
1 Oz Nutritional Yeast (cheesy flavored powder)
Salt a pinch
Taco Seasoning .75 Oz

I'll be buying the instant Rice and Beans this weekend.

I'm excited! I'll Be sure to take lots of photos and share the trip with you!

Thanks again for reading!

I Work Out, but I'm Gaining Weight?! Oh No!

I just got done with today's work out. It's that good kind of tired. My arms feel like jello.

I go to the gym about 4 times a week. I'm usually at the gym for an hour each time.

2 times a week I start with a run, lift some weights, and do some core workouts. 

The other 2 off days I have yoga, which can really reveal how much stronger I've become. It's a good balance.

Today I weighed myself. It was the first time in 2 months. 
About a year ago I weighed about 140, then I stopped eating animal products and dropped weight. 
I only weighed 114lbs. 
I never exercised during the time I dropped the weight, but today after weighing I now weight 125lbs!

Now we must factor in that my intake of protein has also increased along with my physical activity.
Every morning I drink a pea protein powder in a fruit smoothie (~10.5 grams of protein), I snack on pumpkin seeds throughout the day (12 g per 1 Cup) I also consume a lot of beans in my meals (7 g). 

After researching a bit more... I'm not growing fat, I'm gaining muscle mass!
The weight of muscle is the same weight as fat, but muscle is more condensed. If you are consistent with your weight lifting, you can start to see muscle growth as early as 1 month. 

When you exercise muscles under go stress they take on some cellular damage. You need to give your body time to heal before working that muscle again (causing more stress and damage). I tend to feel sore about 2 days after the workout. If you are sore, that's good! It means your body is doing it's job. 

I'm not mad about the weight I'm gaining. I felt like 114lbs was way too small for me.

Thanks again for reading!

Where Will You Be 10 Years From Now?

I think it's time for me to move on in life.
I dont sit still for long. I need to Start looking at the bigger picture. 5 years from now, 10 years from now, up until the end.
Now don't get me wrong, focusing on the here and now is the most important. But sometimes it's good to take a few steps back and figure out what's next.

Just 4 years ago I graduated college and was  building an art portfolio, putting in 40 hours a week of my own time to create content. Then filling out 8 job applications every day.

That's the competitive industry for ya. It's hard to land a job after college with no work experience in your desired field.

However, I have learned that I can accomplish anything if I really want to. My will and commitment to tasks are no laughing matter. When I say I am going to do something, I'm not joking.

 But now... what do I want to accomplish?
What's next in Mariah's Life?

In December my Student Loans will be paid off and I'll be debt free.
That means all that money I was paying towards student loans will be back in my income cash pool.

This gives me opportunities to try new things and explore what the world is all about. I'm the kind of person who like to keep growing and changing.

2019 is the year of exploration.
I want a meaningful future, where I wake up every morning and excited for what the day brings. Where I help people, and grow the world. My dreams will no longer be about just about me. I want to let others accomplish this dream. And be the person someone can count on.

Self Motivation - Learn Who You Really Are

Getting to Know YOU

Take some time everyday to get to know yourself. We are constantly changing, and adjusting to our environment, hobbies, and desires. You may not like the same things or have the same goals as you did 5 years ago, maybe it's different from yesterday. It's all about discovery and re-discovery. Try new things!

Writing is a great way to organize your thoughts, and reflect on how you've grown. The goal should be to always keep moving forward, no matter where you are in life. 

“Continue to grow and evolve.” - Mahatma Gandhi

I'm sure you've heard of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. It's a pretty well known psychology pyramid. This theory follows the idea that humans have category of needs that need to be met. Usually starting from the most important on the bottom of the pyramid and working up.

Physiological Needs - Basic needs such as hunger, thirst, sleep, health, fitness, and well being.

Safety and Security - Also known as shelter, even more so, feeling of being safe in your environment and not threatened by danger.

Love and Belonging - Friendships, family, and support groups.

Self Esteem - A positive view of yourself. Being happy with who you are, and proud of your accomplishments.

Self Actualization - Being aware of your strengths and having a desire to grow and seek experiences. Being the best you can possibly be.

Before you can 'know who you are" and "find your purpose", you must remember to meet your basic needs and comfort. You have to believe in yourself, and have good intentions to move forward in life. Take care of yourself.

Impossible Until It's Done

Try new things. Never limit yourself, based on what you've learned, or what you've been told. Break the boundaries and see outside of the box. Think big, and redefine how you think of the world and your capabilities. If you believe you can accomplish unbelievable things, you will.

Create some goals, and put dates in the Calendar. Once a date is set, you are much more likely to act on them.

“You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe.” ― Oprah 

People Agree 

It's okay if you are a "minority", because the majority are. 

You are not the only one who wants to change, be happy, or accomplish greatness. There are billions of people who can relate and share experiences to help you move forward. Find people with the same ideas as you and work together! Push those naysayers out! 

People who have given up on their dreams, should not drag you along with them.

I'll be you dream cheer-leader, you will do it!

Hiking and Backpacking - Planning Your Route

Once the weather starts to cool off, the bugs are taking a break, and the leaves start to change, it's my time to hike and backpack.

Back packing is traveling with all accommodations on your back and walking a mile or more to get to your secluded campsite. It's the most private way to camp.

I'm the kind of person who needs some quiet time with nature. Being cooped up inside all week long for months on end can really drive me crazy.

I've got a few trips ready for the month of October and hoping to do one more in November before the snow hits. 

There is a bit of planning that goes into this...

1. When is the trip?

I work during the week so weekends are my only option. Some Fridays I can leave early, which gives me an extra hour and a half. I usually only plan for 1 overnight stay and a day hike before heading home.

Keeping in mind that the sun will set, I need to ensure I can make it to my campsite before sunsets. My destination should be no farther than an hour away if I leave early after work.

Just to be safe, I google when the sun sets on the day I'm traveling. 

2. Getting Directions - 

I look up the location and save it to Google Maps. I also find an official map of the par, print it, and circle my main check points.

I note where the entrance is, where the trail head begins, and my destination.
Be sure to bring a compass.

3. Packing -
When you backpack, you've got to carry everything on your back for miles. Packing less is more. You don't often need as much as you think. A backpack that is fully packed up, should weigh no more than 20 percent of your total body weight. That means, my back pack can only weigh around 23lbs total.

I separate my backpack content into categories; Wearing, Required and Luxury items. Everyone has their own comforts. I tend to knock the luxury items first.
Here is my list:

Wearing
Hair Tie
Long Sleeve Shirt
Undershirt
Jacket
Under Leggings
Pants
Long Thick Hiking Socks
Under garments
Hiking Boots

Required
Backpack
Water Bag
Water bottle (Empty, used for getting extra water for cooking)
Tent
Sleeping Pad
Sleeping Bag
Dried Food Packs
Waste Bag
Cooking supplies (compressed pot and burner with fuel)
Head Lamp
Phone Fully Charged (emergency use only)
First Aid Kit
Compass
Park Map
Female Funnel
Pee bottle (I don't leave the tent after dark, too much work)

Luxury
Tiny tooth brush
Tiny tooth paste
Tiny hair brush
Tissues
Change of Socks/Under garments
Notebook
Compressed Pillow
Camera

This seems like a lot, when you list it all out. But most of my equipment is made to be lightweight and compact. For example, my sleeping bag is 2 lbs and withstand temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This efficiency often comes with a price (around $300 or more). There are even better sleeping bags than the ones I have.

It all comes down to total weight. It's recommended that my pack only weighs 23lbs. I choose to inherent some of the extra weight from chosen luxury items.

I'm still very new to this, having only backpacked a total of 5 times. Each time I go, I try to keep track of the things I didn't use, and what I wished I could have brought.