Meredith Wood Bahuriak

Born in Pittsburgh. Cliche in NYC, Unamused in Tampa, Loving Chicago.

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Remind anyone else of Whack A Mole? A fave PT of mine.

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Donate to Help Meredith Rebuild Her Life After Stroke, organized by Brittany Laveau

Meredith is a 41-year-old and currently in the hospital after suffering a … Brittany Laveau needs your support for Help Meredith Rebuild Her

Never give up 💪

Do you want to see what recovery is really like?

Yes

No

Maybe

Voting ended onApr 11

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According to BBC, only 49% of workers log in remotely from a dedicated room. Remote work can often wander into different rooms in your house, but this decreases productivity and separation between your career and personal life. After all, when you worked in an office, did you keep some of your work at your desk and the other in the breakroom??

Join us on Remote Routine's episode with Meredith Wood Bahuriak, Social Media Director at DTG and Columbia College Chicago alumni, as she chats with Ryan Geiger about the importance of condensing your WFH area and sticking to your set hours.

💡TIP: Use set notifications after hours for pressing tasks that need immediate attention! Turn off any other notifications that can be dealt with in the A.M.!  ZDNET revealed that 42% of people with constant notifications suffer from burnout - don't let this be you!

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16 days = student loan interest resumes

99 days = since Nelnet updated loan

$600 = missing money $$$

10 years = payments to date

12.3 years = remaining payments

Borrowers won't pay or FAFSA scams and student loan providers aren't prepared?

Stop blaming the borrowers!

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The Old Hotel.

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Today is World Sjogren’s Day. Please spread awareness by sharing, liking, commenting, & reposting. Thank you for your support 💜

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Feeling Froggy

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REVIEW: “Enter The Mirror” at The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago — Bridge

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is presenting Enter The Mirror, where each piece calls us to acknowledge truths that are difficult or

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REVIEW: Sophie Calle: Because — The Blind at The Art Institute of Chicago — Bridge

The Art Institute of Chicago is presenting Sophie Calle: Because — The Blind, which cemented Calle’s reputation as an artist who is part sle

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Student Loan Comparison

A look at amortization since people can’t seem to fathom the student loan crisis.

Car loan: purchased for $80k. 7-year loan at 5% interest.

Total interest: $15k

Home loan: $200k 20-year mortgage. 5% interest.

Homes APPRECIATE in value. This is good.

Total interest: $123k

By assumption, the interest will be less than half the home value. This is also good.

Student fking loans: $80k. Interest 6.8%.

6 different repayment options. Compounding interest.

But if someone chooses IDR (Income Driven Repayment), based on a $70k-a-year gross salary they will pay back roughly $153k over 20 years. Nearly double the amount of the loan borrowed.

Assuming they never need any deferment or forbearance because of illness or other major life events.

Do we see the problem yet????

DO PEOPLE SEE THE FKING PROBLEM HERE?!

[meredithwbahuriak]

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2022, I found myself trapped on the @chicagotransitauthority Red Line Addison stop after the @chicagocubs game ended.

The CTA held the train for at least 10 minutes to overfill cars with unmasked passengers.

It felt surreal watching the “doors holding.” Looking around I knew it was in the air.

I have Sjogren’s Syndrome, therefore I have been triple vaccinated and double boosted.

Thursday, June 2, 2022 I tested positive for COVID-19.

This I is the second time I had COVID. In April 2020, before the vaccine existed, I tested positive for the first time for COVID.

Testing positive did not surprise me because I was living in Tampa and working a job following no time CDC guidelines, while joking about the pandemic.

Moving back to Chicago in late October 2021 was a complete culture shock after nearly 4 years living in Tampa, throughout a pandemic.

I don’t know what happened to my hometown city that appeared much safer to live in during a pandemic.

I feel disappointed and unsafe during the pandemic in Chicago. Something has to be done to protect our city. In the meantime, beware of public transportation in Chicago. Stay safe.

Please share this video of what’s truly happening on Chicago’s public transportation.

@chicagotribune @chicagobusiness @chicagoreporter @cnnpolitics @huffpost @forbes @abcnews @cbs @nbcnews @msnbc @lastweektonight-withjohnoliver @worldhealthorganizationofficial @newsweekscience @do312 @vicenews @viceland @transitmaps @usatoday

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“Speak only when you feel that your words are better than your silence.”

— Unknown

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Student Loans: The Federal Student Debt of Racism, Sexism, Classism, Ableism creating the #CancelStrudentDebt Movement

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 and 30 million people, mostly Millennials, suddenly became unemployed, the feds stepped in again and suspended interest and monthly payments on federal student loans several times –  through May 1, 2022. That means if you owe federal student loan debt, you are not required to make a payment until August of 2022. Interest will not accrue and this will not negatively impact your credit score.

‘We’re waiting for the government to decide how it’s going to do this.’

— Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance

Forgiveness

The federal government doesn’t get much credit for its response to crisis situations, but student loan borrowers have good reason to salute the feds for help in repaying their $1.7 trillion debt.

The federal government created the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program in 2007 as a response to the ongoing crisis 45 million borrowers had repaying student loans. Borrowers who work 10 years in public service jobs – teachers, nurses, government employees, etc. – while making 120 on-time monthly payments, could have the balance of their student loans forgiven.

Repayments

When we think about the fact that college grads will have at least HALF of their income going to student loans at a time when the nation is facing rising inflation and increased costs, it's a recipe for financial disaster.

Student Loan Resources: Financial Aid & Loan Debt Management

Student loans account for over $1 trillion in debt in America. Learn to acquire, manage, pay back different types of financial aid and other

A timeline of the history of student loans

1840: The first student loans are offered to students attending Harvard University in 1840.

1867: The United States Department of Education is formed to help make schools more successful, but it does not yet have a student loan program.

1944: The GI Bill passes, helping World War II veterans get money to go to college for free or for very cheap. In subsequent years, veterans would account for nearly half of those attending college.

1958: Federal student loans are first offered under the National Defense Education Act to help the United States compete with other countries—namely the Soviet Union. High school students who showed promise in mathematics, science, engineering, or foreign language, or those who wanted to become teachers, were offered grants, scholarships, and student loans.

1965: The Higher Education Act is established to provide “Educational Opportunity Grants” to colleges recruiting students with considerable financial need. The Higher Education Act also establishes the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, also known as the Federal Family Education Loan Program or FFELP, which allows banks and private institutions to provide government-subsidized and guaranteed loans to students.

1966: The National Association of Financial Aid Administrators is created to monitor financial aid throughout the nation.

1972: The Basic Educational Opportunity Grant, which would come to be called the Pell Grant, is created to help in-need students attend college. Senator Claiborne Pell was instrumental in its creation. 

1992: The Higher Education Amendments of 1992 create the FAFSA, the Direct Lending program, and unsubsidized Stafford loans, which meant that now students had to cover interest costs while in school rather than the federal government. Up until this point, the federal government was subsidizing student loans. We are beginning to see the modern-day student loan system. 

1993: The Student Loan Reform Act officially implements the Direct Lending program. Under this program, the government can now directly lend to student loan borrowers, instead of through a private institution, which had been the only system since 1965 (FFELP). 

2005: The Higher Education Reconciliation Act reduces loan fees from 4% to 1% and allows graduate students to take out PLUS Loans. Outstanding student loan debt is now at $391 billion. 

2008: Credit market problems stemming from the Great Recession forces many private lenders to back out of FFELP as they no longer have the financial ability to provide loans to college students. Outstanding student loan debt is now at $639 billion. 

2010: Legislation proposed under the Obama administration eliminates FFELP and now requires all new federal student loans to be Direct Loans as part of the Direct Lending Program, which was launched back in 1993. At this time, private lenders begin offering private student loans to students independently from the government. Outstanding student loan debt is now at $811 billion. 

2012: Total amount of student loan debt passes $1 trillion.

2022: Outstanding student loan debt now sits at $1.7 trillion. In March 2020, the coronavirus pandemic pushes the federal government to put all federal student loans in pandemic forbearance, which means no payments are required and interest won’t accrue. Biden Administration today extends pandemic forbearance until August 31, 2023.

WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK?

Comment or tweet @meredithwoodb your thoughts.

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The 5 Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones on Amazon

As the holidays creep closer, you may be hearing sounds of the seemingly endless choruses of overzealous carolers—it’s all part of the magic of the season, right?

Thus, if you're like me, you're gearing up to tune out, which means finally investing in a high-quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

One of my motto's for gift buying is to give something I would like to have. This way, if the person does not like the gift, I know I am thoughtful and they just have bad taste.

So, down the Amazon rabbit hole we go. From big-name, over-ear favorites, there’s a perfect pair here for any budget. Now all you have to do is hit play and let the holiday spirit take over.

Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones 700

$379 at Amazon

*Get 10% back on amount charged to an Amazon Prime credit card.

It’s no secret that Bose is one of the biggest names in noise cancellation. This over-ear wireless set comes with 11 levels of active noise cancellation (ANC), plus a deep, balanced sound no matter how high you crank the volume up.

They’re also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, and you can get up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge. A pair of 700s comes in white or black, and the lightweight stainless steel design should serve you well at the office or on a plane.

They aren’t cheap, but if you want a set that’ll last for the long haul, this is a good place to start.

New Bose QuietComfort 45 Bluetooth Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones - Triple Black

$329 $279 at Amazon

*Get 5% back ($13.49 in rewards)

Comfort - clue is in the name. QC45 is the modern 2021 evolution of QC35 - it is still the most comfiest pair of cans on the market, cloud feel, ultra refined - never mind airpods max or Sonys XM4s as I have tried these in the past - just outstanding and I have a 59cm large noggin.

If you value comfort and plan to wear these for extending periods definitely consider this model. Don't get a QC35 like some have said, no USB-C, older technology in general, and QC35 probably won't get much software support going forward (being the old model).

The soundstage is expanded much more so than Qc35s, excellent wide reaching stereo with decent positioning and imaging.

Beats Studio3 Over-Ear Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones

$350 $307 at Amazon

*Get 5% back ($15.34 in rewards)

Ever since the brand popped up in 2006, Beats has been making some of the best headphones around—period. The company was acquired by Apple in 2014, but it still churns out the same quality products with some upgraded tech features.

This pair uses Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling technology to keep external noise out and produce the clearest possible playback. The soft, over-ear cushions fit like earmuffs, and their ergonomic design creates the flexibility to fit any head perfectly.

They’re compatible with either iOS or Android, and you can expect up to 22 hours of playback with a full charge.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones

$350 $248 at Amazon

*Get 5% back ($12.40 in rewards)

If you’re looking for a pair of headphones with a classic look and tech-age features, look no further. This pair from Sony employs Dual Noise Sensor technology, plus Edge-AI to control volume based on your surroundings. There’s a touch sensor that allows you to move to the next song or answer a call without picking up your phone, and playback will automatically pause when you take the headphones off.

They also come with some of the best battery life available: A full charge will set you up with 30 hours of uninterrupted listening, and just a 10-minute charge will last for five hours.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones

$60 $53.99 at Amazon

*Current Coupon Deal $6 OFF (10%) and Get 5% back ($2.69 in rewards)

For an affordable over-ear set that doesn’t compromise on performance, you should check out Soundcore by Anker. This pair comes with hybrid active noise cancellation and hi-res sound that competes with sets that cost five times as much. The impressive battery lasts for 40 hours in ANC mode, and you can stretch it to 60 if you stay in standard.

They’re also a great option for anyone who needs to feel bass in their bones. With Soundcore’s BassUp technology, a digital signal processor analyzes frequencies in real-time so you can get the most out of bass-heavy genres.

Sources: thrillest, Amazon

[meredithwbahuriak]

Traveling aboard Amtrak during the ‘pandemic of unvaccinated.’

Amtrak has no social distance guidelines.

Thus, I was grateful my train wasn’t full, when I boarded.

The first stop, directed by his father, a 9 yr old boy plopped next to me, laid across my lap to unplug my phone charger and plug in his headphones, which barely reached him.

A minute later he started talking, asking questions, calling me “mam” (I’m clearly a miss). “Move. I need to go,” I told the kid.

I struggle with my 9 year old captor until I finally leapt over his headphones, yanked down my unnecessarily heavy“back bag” from the overhead, looked both ways and left was “exit,” so I walked right.

Feeling awkward walking from the first train car to the end of the last car, infuriated by the amount of empty seats with enough available for passengers to each have their own row if they choose.

I finally made it to the last train car. I finally found my train spot. The bar and food with 8 booths. Bonus… no more than 4 people, each in their own booth, stayed in the back at the same time.

Anyway, the point of all of this is, if you ride Amtrak, as soon as you can move, go to the last train car for food drinks, and of course, there are outlets in every booth too.

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To Mask or Not To Mask? And why is this a f*cking question?

There’s a guy I know. He went into a local store to pick up a few things and a prescription. While in the juice aisle he realized he forgot to wear a mask!

So he immediately covered his face and went back to his car to retrieve his mask! 

Oh, wait, that’s incorrect. 

In fact, he looked around. He saw the people in masks. 

He grabbed his juice and headed for the pharmacy.

As the pharmacist handed him the prescription, he chose to possibly expose a front line health care provider.

Here’s the thing. 

This guy is facing a lot internal conflict, fear, and anger after exposing himself and others at a private party.

Around 20 people chose to cross their fingers

A retrospectively stupid “small” gathering where people who choose to put themselves at risk do so. 

This guy, one out of the 20.

A week later, not wearing a mask and not having been tested since possibly being exposed

Walked into a locale store and exposed people actively not choosing to be exposed.

People’s actions are odd to me. I must be off. I don’t know.

This guy was protected. Everyone else wore masks. He may have exposed them. And their families, and their families, and on and on...

Your mask does not protect you. I don’t wear my mask for me. I wear my mask for you and I expect the same respect.