30 and counting...

Every start of the year I tend to refrain from making New Year resolutions simply because I shouldn't need the start of a new year to make me want to introduce new changes. I should be making conscious decisions to make changes throughout the year regardless of what day it is, but nonetheless I gave into the trend. One of my New Year resolutions was to read 30 books. The prior year I had only read, I believe, around 22 books. Quite a dismal amount considering that in 2011 I had read 52 and surpassed my reading goal by 2 books. Now this year has been a successful year for my reading. I've been reading more contemporary books and following more trends of what's popular, and I've been taking recommendations from the LA Times. So here goes the list of what I've read so far:

1. While Mortals Sleep - Kurt Vonnegut
2. Project Jennifer - Jill A. Rosenblatt
3. Slaughter House-Five - Kurt Vonnegut
4. Playing with Boys - A. Valdes-Rodriguez
5. Chasing Harry Winston - L. Weisberger
6. Bagombo Snuff Box - Kurt Vonnegut
7. Now and Forever - Ray Bradbury
8. The Buenos Aires Broken Hearts Club - J. Morrison
9. Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
10. Tempest Rising - Diane McKinney-Whetstone
11. A Simple Havana Melody: From When the World was Good - Oscar Hijuelos
12. Six Weeks to Toxic - Louisa McCormack
13. The Nanny Diaries - E. McLaughlin & N. Kraus
14. The Paris Wife - Paul McLain
15. Paris: A Love Story - Kati Marton
16. The Chosen - Chaim Potok
17. Holy Land - D.J. Waldie
18. What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love - Carole Radziwill
19. The Girl Who Fell to Earth - Spohia Al-Maria
20. How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World - J. Christy
21. The Ivy Chronicles - Karen Quinn
22. Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes - E. Bard
23. My Berlin Kitchen - Luisa Weiss
24. Women & Money - Suze Orman
25. This is How You Lose Her - Junot Diaz
26. How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia - Moshin Hamid
27. Bright Lights, Big City - Jay McInerney
28. In the Time of the Butterflies - Julia Alvarez
29. ¡Yo! - Julia Alvarez
30. Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald - Therese Ann Fowler
31. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Betty Smith
32. How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents - Julia Alvarez
33. Grace - Grace Coddington
34. Looking for the Gulf Motel - Richard Blanco
35. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
36. Where'd You Go, Bernadette? - Maria Semple
37. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
38. Maya's Notebook - Isabel Allende
39. Deadeye Dick - Kurt Vonnegut
40. Love - Toni Morrison
41. Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut

Uh-oh I did it again...

I've been a super bad blogger! I've neglected everything for the past 2 months! Sorry y'all I can't even make an excuse for myself. Here's the truth: I haven't felt like writing in the past 2 months. I've even stopped making my "happy list" every week. I need to get out of this rut and get back on the horse. I can't believe the end of August is upon us and I haven't been good about posting my progress or getting back into the swing of things with social media.

A few updates:
- still aggressively paying off my car
- making progress on my credit card debt
- my running is improving, I even joined a running group!
- I joined a gym, and I love it!
- started yoga once a week...great way to start my week
- Thriller (our dog) gave us quite the scare about 2 weeks ago. Thankfully the vet gave her a clean bill of health and we still can't explain why she got so lethargic and moody.
- Work is moving along. I heard some great news, but nothing has come of it yet.
- I'm hoping to return back to finish my Masters next year in the fall.
- I've managed to stop biting my nails for 2+ weeks now. I can't wait for a mani and pedi next week.

Okay, I will attempt, and make notes for myself to blog more often and update the site. I have all these ideas, but none have come to fruition due to my own lack of energy/motivation, and overall laziness, to get them done.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Note to Self

Boy am I glad that it is Sunday and the start of another week! Last week was a brutal week for me. It felt like the WORST WEEK EVER! First I chipped a tooth, and I may or may not have cried about it. Not for the chipped tooth, but for the fact that my insurance has not gone through yet. Talk about an unexpected massive expense. I'm set to see the dentist next week on Saturday. Then, I was upset because the money I had set aside to pay off my credit card would be going to paying for my dental work. I was also having tension headaches and feeling sick to my stomach, not a great week mentally or emotionally. Just when I though things couldn't get any worse they did! I was pulled over on Thursday for using our local express lane, and having my transponder set on 3 versus 1. I was so upset I was ready to cry in my car as I drove to work. Pretty much one rotten thing after another. Then as I sat at work attempting to read the reports and make my entries it hit me. Yes, this week pretty much blew and was awful. However, I didn't have to focus so much on all the negative aspects of it. I would just focus on one thing at a time, then proceed. As for the chipped tooth, yes I'll probably have to pay cash to have it fixed, but I can set up a payment plan with my dentist. As for the insurance it should be kicking in soon. As for paying off my credit card, I paid most of it off the other night. Now I only owe less than $100 on it! Woot! That means when July rolls around I can pay off the balance. Since I am ahead a car payment I don't have another payment due until August, so that means if I'm tight on money I can choose to skip my payment in July and still be okay! Now for that pesky ticket, I did my research and discovered that the CHP officer was not justified in giving me a ticket! The code he cited does not mention anything about incorrect setting use.....so I'm going to fight the ticket and prepare a Trial by Declaration and fight for dismissal of the ticket.

Guess I learned my lesson last week. Even when things are just going awful and seem to continuously get worse then it hits you. Either you can choose to let it all bog you down and make you feel super awful or crummy, or you switch your attitude and deal with all the issues appropriately. Now here's to the start of another week and a great week at that!

Budgeting to Maintain my Sanity

I have a huge confession to make. Once upon a time I had one too many credit cards. Yes, I was that irresponsible college student who refused to let her parents help her out. Sigh. BIG MISTAKE! Now I'm on the path, er road, to recovery and to set my credit score on track. I know only have one credit card, and two store credit cards. Even though I only use one store credit card on a monthly basis. I have been diligent about using it to purchase an item and paying it off in full. So now here's my monthly budget breakdown:

• Car - 500
• J. Crew - 50
• Gas - 200
• Savings - 450
• Schools loans - 370
• Internet - 20
• Spending cash - 250
• Misc (Gifts, etc) - 50
• Capital One - 75

 My bills are relatively few, but I am trying to dig myself out of the whole of debt. I'm actually paying an extra $100 on my car payment. The monthly car payment due is $395 and change, so I'm set on track to pay off the car in about 8 months!

I came across this neat spreadsheet over at Gather Little by Little. I love that its detailed, but most of all that the spreadsheet is broken down by pay periods! Its exactly how I pay my bills.

For now I'm making progress. Baby steps for this gal, until her car and credit card are paid off, then its all my energies on paying off my school loans.

I said I would so I am

Here's another post for this week! Quick update.

1. I purchased whole term life insurance through my employer! (This made me feel so much more like an "adult")

2. I managed to sock away $250 into my savings from this paycheck!

3. My budget looks good, now to stick to it.

4. I've read 26 of 30 books for my goal this year. Yikes!!! Might I need to revise this goal soon.

5. I bought the cutest task pads at Target for only $1 each!! I may go back and purchase a few more.

6. I promise to come back and write more in due time.

Have a good weekend!

No excuses

I really have no excuses as to why I haven't been blogging like I've been telling myself. Yes, I do get busy. I am exhausted when I get home from work, but that's no real excuse to not make time to write. I told myself, as its one of my resolutions, that this year I would write more. I mean, sit down, and write! I've been struggling to write and explore for the past two years now. I used to write like crazy in middle and high school, then I stopped. I definitely know that when I stopped writing for myself in college its when I got to a dark period of my life. Now I feel like I'm finally re-emerging and becoming a bit like my old "high school me". Work is going well. Can you believe that I'm almost up for my 6 month review?! Next week! Yikes!!!! Time sure does fly by. A quick recap to how I've been progressing.

Financially
- Month by month I'm getting closer to paying off my car! If I stick to my plan I'll be done by February of next year! 4 months ahead of schedule.
- Down to my last credit card! Balance of $662! My plan of action is to have that sucker paid off by December of this year!
- I have an okay savings, not the greatest, but I've made a habit to "pay myself" first after bills, and it's sort of become addicting. More on that later.
- I finally opened a Roth IRA and started to read and learn about finance and investing. By the end of this year I'm going to be a power woman investing in the stock market!

Emotionally
- I'm definitely in a better place. No more nasty thoughts for now at least. I seem to have regained my self-confidence back.
- Anxiety is under control. Still a bit whacky every now and then. You can tell when its bad by looking at my nails. I'm a chronic nail biter. Although I've done an excellent job at not biting them in the past few months.

Physically
- I've been running for 12 weeks now. I feel incredible and great when I run! The focus has been on developing my cardio, breathing, and endurance. Not focusing on distance. I know it will come with due time. I've decided to take on the Beach Cities Challenge this year and look forward to completing those races.

I can't promise I'll blog soon or do so on a daily basis, but this is me stating that I can't be making excuses about my writing. I can't put it off. I need to set aside my anxiety of authorship and just write. I like to think that this is my first step towards writing freely without my anxiety inhibiting any of it.

Checking In

Well, once again I've fallen a bit quiet on the blogging front, but I thought I'd at least check in and mark some of my progress.

One of my resolutions this year was to conquer my debt and become financially stable and save more! A huge resolution to take on. So far so good! I've paid off one credit card, and well on my way to paying off a second one this month! Yay! In terms of saving....well its progressing, but not at the rate I'd like to. This year I came this really neat savings plan to help me at least save up for a vacation. I just started a new job, so I'm hoping that by the end of this year I'll have enough time accrued for a vacation and the money to finance it!

As for my resolution to be fit and get back on track....well its moving along slowly. Last year in October I ran the Nike Women's marathon and ended up with two black big toe nails, which left me side lined for roughly four months. Now I'm back. I purchased a new pair of running shoes and have embarked on week 1 of C25K. You ask what is C25K?! Only an amazing free podcast you can download to help you get back on track. I was supposed to get early today, but I let my excuses get the best of me. However, I did go out and purchase a  bright, shiny new high impact Moving Comfort sports bra! Now, tomorrow I will get up and go get the third day in.

I'm reading again. Not as furiously as I once was, but I am into my 8th book of 30 books goal for this year. I promise I will post my resolutions soon. Also, I'm almost done redesigning my blog and injecting more of me into design. I've also gotten better at resisting my impulses to buy random things that won't be in use for long. I must admit though I have bought a few things, some unnecessary others practical, but its getting better.

Okay, I promise to be back soon and post more on my resolutions, life, and goals.

The Prodigal Blogger Returns

Okay, I lie, maybe not quite Prodigal, but nonetheless I am making a comeback to blogging. *I apologize for my odd sense of humor, or rather lack of humor.* After much thought, I've caved back into blogging and expressing myself online. I find myself having many thoughts lately and to be quite honest not really in the mood to write the old school way. Can you say being lazy about hand writing things out?! First step is to revamped my blog design, look and feel. Now that 2013 is upon us, I've decided to really make this MY year. Yes, I know typical and overly cliched to say, er write, but whatever its time I took control on my life, finances, education, and health. I'll be back in a few days. I have a few things to draft up list style before I make the full commitment to maintaing this blog.

Words of Wisdom #41

"You simply have to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Put blinders on and plow right ahead." - George Lucas

Words of Wisdom #40

"The answer you get depend on the questions you ask."

- Thomas Kuhn

Words of Wisdom #39

"I make myself rich by making my wants few."

- Henry David Thoreau

Words of Wisdom #38

"Once begun, a task is easy; half the work is done."

- Horace

Words of Wisdom #37

"Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."

- Aldous Huxley

Currently coveting #2

I love school, and I love being a student. The one thing I don't like: not having much spending cash. Bummer! But, that doesn't mean I can't window shop. And, boy...do I window shop! If I could have my wishes granted I'd get the following things. I also think I may have this obsession with foxes. Sly and cunning little animals.

Aubin & Willis Fox Scarf

Penfield parka

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tory Burch Fox Ballet Flats

Ann Taylor Dress

Currently...

....I'm catching up with life post summer job, and about to become super busy with school, work, mentoring, and just plain ol' life. Thought I'd start by documenting some of my favorite things at the moment.

1) Herschel Laptop Sleeve - I ab-so-lu-te-ly love it!!! It was a birthday gift from él. (Sidenote: él is the guy I'm currently dating.) I love the leather on the bottom, the color navy blue, and the fuzzy, soft fleece interior. I'd been searching for one for ages, and I found one on Zappos as I was browsing. Definitely one of the best birthday gifts I've received in ages.

2) Books - Yes, I managed to find a Norton American Literature Anthology vol. 1 for $2!!! Score for me! Also, picked up this other book Making Literature Matter. Both books cost a whooping....wait for it....wait for it....$4.35 with tax!!! Yes, I do get this excited over purchasing books at a discount!

3) Trader Joe's Fleur de Sel Caramels - I love caramel anything, but salted caramel is my kryptonite! These are tooo die for. I bought a box at TJ's a few weeks ago, and I've been slowly eating one at a time. So hard not to just give in and eat all of them in one sitting. Definitely a great pick me up treat!

De regreso

Yes, she's back from the dead. And no, she's not going back any time soon. Sorry I've been so quiet online these past few months. Life got in the way. My own anxieties and insecurities also got the best of me. But, I've decided that I'm ready to start writing again, and blogging, too. Life is about to get super hectic again now that school, work, volunteering, and running is picking up again. Longer posts to resume in the next day or so.

So what have you been up to? Miss me?

I am not...

On the verge of tears and this can't be good.

I am not upset that my mother doesn't support my career choice.
I am not upset that I was just told by my mother that my current job isn't paying me enough. Ya know sometimes we accept jobs because we LOVE them, not because of the pay.
I am not upset and frustrated that my tutoring check is somewhere in the mail and I haven't received it yet.
I am not mad at the fact that I am back to being a completely broke grad student.
I am not overwhelmed at the fact that I have to lesson plan and create syllabi for 4 weeks of public policy curriculum.
I am not sad about the fact that I'm about to turn 25 and not where I want to be in life.
I am not beating myself up for the fact that the more I do, the less I feel I accomplish.
I am not feeling pathetic and lame.
I am not depressed over the fact that my blogger and tumblr friends understand me better than my actual friends.
I am not going to let my negativity bring me down, tomorrow is a new day and I hope know it will be better.

Currently coveting #1

Currently coveting #1 by estrada87 featuring kate spade jewelry

Words of Wisdom #36

"It's all about the work, ... Nothing is going to fall into your lap. If you want to be a lawyer, see yourself as a lawyer, go to the library and start learning the law. If you want to be a rapper, start rapping and get out there. Live your life as if you already are where you want to be."

- Russell Simmons

Currently Coveting...

Ahhh, I just wandered onto Brooks Brothers online store and discovered that they are having a massive sale!! Now, if I had some extra cash to part with I'd buy myself the following :) And yes, I may have a slight thing for dresses :)

Oxford shirtdress

Short Sleeve dress shirt

Cotton lady dress

Liberty Print Dress