I quit my job on Monday. I was working for a company called Rawguru, which is an online retailer that sells raw, organic foods. Basically, I walked out on two of my superiors and pretty much told them to shove it. Now, I'm not the type of person to make rash decisions like this, especially when it comes to my professional life. I have been working since age 16 and having a job is absolutely necessary for me. The reason I quit - the upper management did not treat me like an asset to the company, but more like an expandable resource. I was overworked, underpaid, and manipulated to go outside of my job description. I was a bookkeeper, accountant, office coordinator, customer service representative, employee trainer, inventory manager, sales representative, etc., etc., etc. I wore many hats; I was okay with that till the owners called me in for a fancy lunch meeting to tell me that I will be taking a pay cut starting with the month of April. Great, I was already making $10/hr. I can't believe that they go out to ridiculously expensive restaurants for lunch and then tell me that they can no longer support my salary. News flash, your lunch, for two people, most likely exceeded $50, while I make less than $200 a week! Thank you, sirs, for taking advantage of me and making me feel like I am easily replaceable. I think that sooner or later they will realize that they will have to hire at least two part-time workers to do what I had done for them. Personally, I rather be without a job and struggle to find a new one than be in a place of work where I am not respected as a human being. There were more issues that I had with working for this company, but the story is way too long and there's too many details; I rather not give myself the headache of explaining it all. Bottom line, the business was not sustainable in terms of their human capital. Lucky for me, I have the ability to take the risk of quitting; many other people lack this opportunity.

I honestly just couldn't handle practices like this. I realized, long ago, that I did not want for my part time employment to lead to a long term relationship. I stayed for so long and put up with all the stress because my father works for the manufacturing/shipping department of the company. Not wanting him to go back to working construction at almost 50 years old, it was in my best interest to help the company prosper and develop a growth strategy for the future. I tried my hardest to apply my skills and provide my managers with ideas as to how to improve their operations, marketing, customer service, etc. However, it didn't take me long to realize that my employers did not have my interest in mind. Let me give you an example that is still fresh in my mind. A few months ago, I asked my "boss" how they go about figuring out the price for their products. Alex explained to me that there are three investors, so the profit has to be split three ways; so, the margin has to be large enough to be shared between three people. This is how he justified a $15 price point for a 6oz jar of chocolate hazelnut spread. When he gave me this answer, I thought my eyes would pop out of my head; I couldn't believe that he said this to me, at lunch, in front of two more coworkers. I mean, I understand that that's a factor in determining the price, but that's not the only factor! I was looking for an answer that would educate me on a subject that I was not very clear on; instead, I got one that made me see that these people only care about their personal gains. Ohh well; their loss.

This experience shows me that just because a firm makes a product that appears to be sustainable, the company itself might not be sustainable. A raw diet, undoubtedly, is good for the body as well as the planet. However, if all companies went about doing business like Rawguru, attaining sustainability across all industries would be impossible. So, do your research before you buy. Just because the label says "fair-trade" or "USDA certified organic", this does not mean that you are supporting a responsible business with your purchase.

I snapped this picture at Chinatown, Chicago today. The irony of this sign amuses me.

Blast from the past - when I was in like 3rd grade (we were still living in Ukraine in a one bedroom apartment), I was given the assignment in school that involved writing a creative story about a trip to space. I remember my mom dictating the assignment to me...at the very end, she said something like "and when the boys got to space, they looked back to Earth, realizing how small and fragile the is and how it was up to them to protect it." I still remember her saying this because I was confused by that statement. I thought, "Earth isn't small! It's gigantic!" Yea, not so much....we're all in it together and we need to take care of one another.

Pollution, poverty, and corruption know no borders; these problems are wide spread and show no signs of vanishing. The funny thing is, as knowledge of these issues spreads, little changes. It seems as though people just get frustrated and start to protest....and when they do, still, not that many changes take place. But really, what's wrong? Why isn't it changing? The "masses" are struggling, but there's still demand for that $1 million DKNY Fragrance and other absurdly expensive and useless items. But what distinguishes those driving Lamborghini's from those wearing shoes made out of plastic bottles and rope? Why does such a class division exist in the first place? Shouldn't those who are well-off feel obliged to help the "less fortunate"? Isn't that like a moral responsibility? I don't understand how change can take place if the leaders of the future are growing up in mantions, oblivious to the hardships other kids their age face.

I'm such a pesimist/realist.....

My parents told me the other day that I should give other people more credit. They say that I'm not the only one who recognizes the need for change and I'm not the only one that wants it to happen. They have a point, but they're misunderstanding me, I guess. I do realize that people want change, but what I also realize is the fact that it's not possible to attain it for many people - for a variety of reasons. I guess what needs to happen is re-education of the people to think differently about their consumption and about their impact. However, there will always be dumbasses that don't want to change simply because they're comfortable where they are and don't see the need to alter anything!

I took a Prius cab today! That was green! - kinda

Gas is now $3.99 a gallon. That's even more of a reason to use public transportation. Thank God for the UPass. Without that thing, I would be totally broke. It's scary to think that gas will go up to over $4.50 in the next few months. I'm dreading that so much. Part of me wants to buy a little scooter to ride around on to save gas. In that case, I have to save up like $2K and invest in a cute little scooter with a matching helmet. Coming up with that money is going to be really hard. I can do way more with that than buy something I can only use during pleasant weather. Also, by making the purchase, am I being sustainable? Or am I giving in to a want that I perceive as a need? With my purchase, I'm increasing the demand, which might stimulate higher production if this is observed on a larger scale. I don't imagine that the production process of the scooter is sustainable either. So, I guess buying a scooter isn't that efficient. The next substitute would be public transportation, but after the UPass expires, it's actually going to be pretty expensive. First, I have to get to the stop, which will probably involve driving. I have to pay the ticket and parking fee. Sometimes it seems that driving to the destination would be the faster, easier, and higher valued option. Another option might be to involve in a bicycle for local transportation. However, when I go somewhere locally, I usually go to the store or out to run errands. I don't exactly want to arrive at a date or a get-together with a friend all sweaty and wearing gym shoes. And trying to balance with lots in my hands isn't exactly something I'm good at. So, bikes are out. Walking might be an option, but in the suburbs, I can't really walk anywhere. I guess I have no option but to drive my car and pay the outrageous price for gasoline. Perhaps sometime in the future, we can switch to a more sustainable and more abundant fuel source.

Sad truth - products/services that are "sustainable" are more expensive than those that are not..... soooooo, most voluntarily or involuntarily to resort to buying stuff that's eventually going to kill us all....... this is logic at its finest.

I'm having some problems with this Marketing Sustainability class.... I don't think that sustainability can be taught in a class - I think it's a way of life. You either care or you don't. It's impossible to persuade some people - those that answer to arguments with "I know, but I don't feel that way", even after being bombarded with facts.

I still don't think that change starts with individual consumers. Consumers can only shimmy towards change, but they will never drive it. I don't think that people care enough.

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, one needs to be able to meet basic needs before he/she can become "self-fulfilled". I think that, in our affluent society, people don't get to the point of self-actualization. Theoretically they should, but they are never satisfied with material possessions. They want more and more and more; what goes on in the rest of the world doesn't matter.

Our possessions seem to define the people that we are. Relationships, values, morals, etc. don't matter if you drive a Toyota Tercel and have a Motorola Razor. We're always looking for the next best thing, not realizing how blessed we are to have what we already have.

Appearance and how people perceive you is everything! We are so fricking shallow.....Why? Is it the fault of marketing? Possibly.....but I think it's a matter of being greedy and self-absorbed.

Taking the stairs these past few weeks made me realize how out of shape I am...

I bought this spray-in conditioner to cut down my time in the shower. Basically, I spray it in my hair after I get out of the shower and leave it in :)

Next investment should probably be dry shampoo or something like that so that I don't have to wash my hair everyday.

I was talking to my grandma, who suggested not using shampoo at all. There are various home remedies that she used when she was young to keep her hair clean. For example, she said she washed her hair with egg yolks when she was "a lady". I actually have tried it before and it did keep my hair clean. Last winter, I also gave up shampoo for about two months. Instead of washing my hair, I created this hair mask.... it will sound weird, but I used a combination of honey, dry mustard, onion juice, and a few other ingredients. My grandma was the one who told me about it. The mask was left in for an hour and then washed off with water. My hair smelled kind of weird - but only when it was wet. However, after a few weeks, I say a drastic change in my hair. It was shiny, looked healthy, and wasn't falling out. I also didn't have split ends. I never told any of my friends, fearing they would think that I'm weird. I didn't do this to "save the planet", I did it to improve the state of my hair....

There is a commercial put out by Chipotle, entitled "Going Back to the Start". Below is the link for the short video:
http://www.youtube.com/user/chipotle?v=aMfSGt6rHos
Every time I see this commercial, it makes me sort of teary-eyed..... but then again, as a business student with an emphasis on marketing, I realize that this is just a way for Chipotle to boost their image and appeal to "environmentalist" consumers.
I actually asked a manager about Chipotles commitment to sustainability the last time I visited a Chipotle; she had no idea what I was talking about.

This video disturbs me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmkj5gq1cQU

What gives humans the rights to play with nature? Why do we think that we are "Gods"? Why do we feel like we're untouchable?

I don't understand how people can disrupt the natural cycle of the Earth, facilitate the extinction of hundreds of organisms each year, and think that their futures are bright. News flash, if bacteria, bees, frogs, birds, whales, apes, tigers, bears, etc. are dying, eventually we will too. Everything is intertwined.... we can't live forever if we continue to destroy nature. This ignorance frustrates me and gives me little hope for change.

My friend the other day shared something with me that I decided to try. She said that she read somewhere that disposable razors can be preserved if they are cleaned and dried right after use, and if they are stored in a dry place. Kat said that after using her razor, she dries it with her blow dryer and puts it into a drawer in her room. Apparently, this significantly lengthens the life of the razor. I plan on trying this out. If this type of process does lengthen the life of the razor, then it will help me achieve one of my goals, which is to reduce my consumption.

Here are some things I've noticed recently that aggravated me:

1. Self-flushing toilets. Every time I use one, it flushes at least twice. The sensors must not be functioning properly and the toilet ends up wasting water. This technology seems counter productive.
2. Escalators that run all the time....even when no one is using it!
3. The public high school in my area, as well as many office buildings, keep the lights on during the night.

To decrease my impact on the word, I've decided to alter my lifestyle and commit to doing and refraining from doing certain things. Here are the changes I would like to make:

1. Eat less packaged foods
2. Refrain from eating meat
3. Use public transportation to commute as much as possible
4. Turn off lights when I leave the room for more than 10 minutes
5. Do not use the television for "background noise"
6. Take the stairs instead of the elevator
7. Decrease the time of my showers
8. Limit my consumption of products that satisfy my "wants" - such as brand name clothing, alcohol, cosmetics, etc.
9. Reuse products as much as possible
10. Recycle
11. Limit the amount of paper I use and focus on storing information electronically
12. Work out by going to group classes, instead of using machinery
13. Turn off my space heater when I leave the room for more than 10 minutes
14. Unplug items that I don't use or use infrequently

Ultimately, my goal is obviously to reduce my ecological footprint. I don't think that I can live a truly sustainable lifestyle since there are so many barriers to success. However, I can make choices consciously and with regard for the planet.

As much as I don't want to be pessimistic, I still do not believe that my individual choices make a difference. I think that change needs to start with governing organizations - it needs to start with those individuals who have the power to influence the thinking of masses. I, on the other hand, can only talk about the choices that I'm making and try to influence others to do so. I have been trying to do this for a while now. In fact, Saturday night, I started talking to my friends about my Sustainable Marketing class and describing the unfortunate impacts business and consumerism has on the world. I felt like the valid points I was making were ignored and the entire topic of sustainability was called "unfortunate" by one member of the party. This type of resistance made me shut up.... This experience further convinced me that change will not begin with me...

According to www.footprintnetwork.org, it would take 4 planet Earths to sustain the living of the planet's population if everyone lived like me. That's pretty disturbing since I've always considered myself to be more or less an environmentalist.