Glassblowing Class

As I have previously blogged, I want to make 2016 a year about learning/exploring new things. In January, I took a photography class.

I was procrastinating planning this month, and then I realized February was getting away from me, so I quickly checked Groupon. I was able to line up a painting class for March (one of the Sip and Paint type).

Then, as I continued to search, I saw a Groupon for Glassblowing, which was awesome because it is something I have wanted to do. I bought the Groupon, and I was able to get in a few days later for a Blow Your Own Glass class. I opted to make a bowl.

It was actually pretty cool. I don’t remember the technical terms, but here is what went down.

The instructor used the blowpipe to get molten glass from the furnace. The furnace was hot! When she opened it, I immediately stepped away and to the side. It was then up to me to reheat the glass (to keep it a certain temperature) and add the color glass pieces to my work. So I would roll the blowpipe in the reheating furnace then take it out and add the color. This was repeated several times.

 

Reheating the glass in the second furnace. This furnace was not as hot as the furnace with the molten glass.

Adding the color glass.

I decided on a mixture of yellow, orange, and red. Perfect for my place's color scheme.

To shape the glass, I blew into the blowpipe to make the glass expand. That was really cool. Then to make the glass indent for the bowl indentation, I sucked on the pipe and the glass constricted (for lack of a better word).

Once it took shape, I had to seal the bottom from when the bowl was cut from the blowpipe.

Sealing the bottom

Armed and dangerous.

It was then placed to slowly cool, and I was able to pick it up 48 hours later. Here is the final product.

My bowl!

It was a fun experience, and it is something I could see myself doing again. My class was 30 minutes, but they have four hour classes where they really get into the details. And they also have six week classes. At this point, I just wanted to make something, and I doubt it will be a hobby.

Saving for Travel

As I get older, I realize more and more that money and time can be very relative. We truly make room for what we want in terms of both. It’s just a matter of priority. For example, I try to walk for at least 90 minutes each day (broken into chunks), and people have remarked how they wish they had the time. But from water-cooler conversations, I know they have time to watch movies or  TV shows, so they do have the time. They have just chosen to use it differently. The same holds true for money for travel, whether domestic or international.

Since 2006, I’ve taken a “big” trip each year with the exception of one year. Each year, I have gotten a lot of remarks from people that they wish they could “afford to travel.” For full disclosure, I realize, since it’s just me, I am in a situation that is unique. But some of the people who have made the comment are in the same situation as me (and at least one makes more money than I do).

I try to be deliberate in the way I save for travel. I use part of my income-tax refund as the base. Then I save for the rest of the trip. There are some sacrifices I make in my everyday life to have money for travel.

Here are areas I focus on to save money to travel.

Coffee – I know a lot of people who make daily trips to Starbucks or other coffee shops, and some come back with a snack. For me, going to a coffee shop is a special-occasion expense. I received two gift cards for Starbucks for Christmas, and I use them sparingly. Long story short, if you spend $4 a work day on coffee that is $20 a work week, AKA $1,040 in 52 weeks.

Lunch – I rarely eat out for lunch. I bring food from home. Again, for me, going out to lunch is a special-occasion expense. Eating out in general is something I don’t make a habit. I do like happy hour but even that needs to fall within my monthly budget. I have coworkers who go out to lunch most days, easily spending $10/day on lunch, which is $50 a work week, AKA $2,600 in 52 weeks.

Speaking of budgeting, I know where my money is going. I track it faithfully as I spend. If I am under budget for the month, I will transfer the amount, whether it is $25 or $50, into my savings account. Every little bit adds up, while I love traveling, it is not something I am willing to go in debt to do.

Car – I have a 2001 car, so my car is paid off. Would I like a new car? Maybe, but why when my current car is in great running condition and paid off? Let’s say, to be conservative, that a monthly car payment is $150. You get the idea. That equals $1,800 a year.

I also don’t rush out to get the newest phone or gadget. I finally broke down and purchased a flat screen (small screen) TV only because my old TV’s screen was fading. I finally broke down and upgraded my IPhone 3 to an IPhone 5. Do I like “toys”? Sure, but I like travel more.

Cable – I don’t have cable. I’m not even sure how much cable costs. I do have Netflix and that keeps me pretty entertained for under $10 a month.

As the saying goes, "I'd rather have a passport full of stamps than a house full of stuff." Sure, I sacrifice some activities for travel, but the sacrifices are so worth it! Currently, I take one international trip a year, but I would love to get to the point where I can take two major trips a year. It’s a balance though because I want to be able to enjoy day-to-day life as well, but there is nothing quite like the feeling that comes from going to explore a new place.

Yes. The sacrifices are worth it.

Bucket List: √ and √

Since I last looked at my “Bucket List” in June 2015, I have accomplished two items from it! √√!

One item is from my Places to Go list. I finally made it to Portugal. It was awesome. One of my favorite memories is a great night out in Lisbon, and I enjoyed the beauty of the Algarve region, which was amazing. I may be going back next year with a friend of mine, and I have mentioned adding in Morocco to the trip to her, which would satisfy another place from the list.

The other item was from my Things to Do list. I have always wanted to take a photography class, and I did so on Saturday. It was a four-hour class that had three hours of lecture with practice and then one hour in the studio taking pictures. There is so much to learn! The instructor strongly encouraged keeping the camera on manual and adjusting the camera to whatever setting needed. I need to play with my camera more when I have time. This spring and summer, I hope to spend some Saturdays in parks just practicing.

I want to get really good at photography for when I travel. I don’t want to miss moments fidgeting with the camera, so I will have to use the best of both worlds. I can do manual when I have the time to dedicate to it (smile). I also wouldn’t mind taking a class at a community college if times allows.

Taking the class also satisfied a goal I have for 2016. I want to make it about learning. I am learning Instagram and Twitter. I also would like to take a class or have an experience each month. So it would be a good year to try to tackle the remainder of the list. I need to keep my eyes on Groupon.

And I am planning on working on the second anthology this year. The Call for Submission went out, and submissions are due to me on April 1, which reminds me, I need to write some new material myself!

Updated Bucket List:

Places to Go:

Egypt

Israel

Morocco

Turkey (Technically I have been to there but a very short time period during a cruise)

Things to Do:

Go horseback riding

Write a Book (I need to start/finish the second anthology)

Go on a helicopter ride

Go on a hot air balloon ride