out with the old, in with the new year

To be totally honest, 2008 was not a good year for me overall. Of course, there are a few exceptions -- I managed to achieve a lot more than normal. I worked my ass off to get out of academic probation, and I'm still keeping a steady with my grades. I'm blessed to have two jobs; both of which are rewarding jobs; I've asked for and received two raises within the year. My boyfriend and I have a very stable relationship, and while life is tough, my family is still scraping by. It's totally a blessing in disguise.

Here come the downers:
For those of you who don't know, my car is pretty much being repoed with 72 hours. So long, Hugo. Hugo is the name I gave my '05 VW Jetta. My car got the name because its gender was so vague. To me, the color and look are too manly to give it a female name, but it's not exactly feminine. It reminded me of a designer.. or a feminine man, thus the name i guess. Anyway, he's clean and ready to take off randomly within 3 days.

I keep getting these random phone calls from credit card companies and banks telling me that I am overdrafted stupid amounts of money, and that I'm usually the primary holder of the account, and that my account is joint with a true family member of mine. It's annoying, and very serious. WHAT THE F***. I'm trying to build good credit here, what the hell is my family doing to me? Has it gotten so hard, you have to slap my innocent name on there to get your money and selfishly make bad credit for me?! ugh.

I still owe a 900dollar debt to Bank of America (but that's not so bad because I've been good with my monthly payments).

There's a lot to think about right now. I could say that we are at our lowest at this point, but I'm so happy to be able to see the good side as opposed to the bad.

I have to remind myself everyday of the things that are good in my life. I work two jobs. They make me tired as hell, but I'm able to pay my bills. I am learning to be more independent. I don't ask for money from my parents. I'm learning to stand on my own two feet as I'm separating myself from my family phone bill and paying my own monthly. I've put my foot in the door for a teaching career, and I'm graduating in TWO SEMESTERS. I've stopped smoking for the past 3 days (and it looks like I'm on a good track -- i just don't like the pressure), I've pulled myself out of academic probation. Managed to do a lot more for my family this year. Was able to save money.

I'm still setting little goals here and there. I want to save enough to buy my own bucket car. I want to move out within the next two years and find a good job as a substitute. As far as smaller goals, I'm going to solve the rubik's cube, and then time myself (nerdy, I know).

It feels good to vent.
:)


I thought I needed to throw away all the bad and good feelings of 08, and give 2009 a proper welcome. Hope everyone has a great new year.

Our First Christmas II

At his family party, I won this:




I was feeling lucky, and my name was drawn :]
yayyyy.

It's actually a great gift for someone like me -- even if I'm on Cingular and the phone was meant for a Sprint user. I had the idea to switch over to Sprint to start paying my own phone bill (almost everything for about 30 dollars a month = queen of deals). It's great opportunity to stand on my own two feet (even if it's such a small bill to pay).

One more thing. Today, I start my Nicotene Polacrilex Gum thanks to Debbie Tan :D
I am scared.

I've set aside a few goals for me to accomplish during this break so that I'll spend more time doing that, and less time thinking of smoking. My first goal is to solve the Rubik's Cube. Once I am able to do that, I will set a timed goal.

I'm brainstorming and thinking of other things I can do to prevent myself from wanting a cigarette. Any suggestions?

Here goes nothing.

Our first Christmas I

This is the first Christmas that Soch and I are spending together.
Not to mention, this is also the first Christmas I didn't peek under the tree to count how many presents I had because very simply put, I just didn't care to get anything this year. I wasn't expecting anything at all to tell the truth. I love presents, but this Christmas is definitely different.

While a lot of pockets are hurting (not to say mine's not), I managed to really save up just enough to get every sibling a gift and a little something for my mom [and dad (thanks to the white elephant game I played with my friends yesterday)]. I currently have less than $50 in my bank account, and the gifts I bought (and made for Debbie) were not too expensive really.. so I barely got by, but I'm really glad that everyone's happy. I really feel like everyone in my family deserved a little something even if it was just pajama pants and a dollar hello kitty bag filled with pad paper, pens, and small treats. Yes, it was very simple, but I feel good about everything.

In fact, I was talking to Soch about Christmas and what it really means -- how everyone is so involved, and so consumed in shopping, material things..

It's really a celebration for Jesus. It's a time of thanksgiving, love, remembrance.

I hope everyone is as happy as I am this year -- I'm happy that everyone else is happy.

[:

the time is coming near

Christmas time is coming, and I'm excited because this Christmas will be a very special one for me. <3

I haven't really been able (for the past couple of years, in fact) to buy much during Christmas. I didn't get gifts last year -- only little things for people. This year, I put a lot of time and effort into gifts and had a little more to spare so I'm giving back to those who've done a lot of me these past few years to show my appreciation.



After Christmas, when I have the funds for it, I'm going to buy a couple of Nicotene Prolocrilex chewies &my goal is to stop smoking for good. It's not impossible even when it seems like a difficult task. "Si Se Puede" is what I'll keep telling myself.

This will be my Christmas gift to myself.

Final-ly Over

Finals are done with.
A 40 multiple choice exam: not so bad.
BUT 3 take home tests all of which are in essay form -- a 10 page, a 7 page, and a 2 hour timed essay in which i was able to produce 3.5 pp. They were completed all in the same week. I deserve a f*cking trophy dammit.

I guess I've got my trophy. It's Debbie Tan who has allowed me to speak with her after these accomplished assignments. *sigh (of relief)

I hope I do well. Waiting is all I can do at this point.

CHRISTMAS is coming! <3
&I'm excited for my massage this Saturday :]

Excited.

Kevin Lyman, you're tickling my fancy. Please don't let me down. *Crossing my fingers.