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Holy crap, she's back!

August 16th, 2009 at 04:12 pm

So... it's been a while... over a year, as I look at my previous entries. What the hell happened, you ask? Well. It would be silly to sum it all up in a few paragraphs, but this is what I'm going to do anyway Smile

My last entry was October of 2008. The BF was preparing for his deployment, and things were getting hectic on the job front. I was wanting to rip my eyes out every day studying accounting. Things were monotonous and frustrating and I realized I was far from happy.

In November I decided to enlist in the Army National Guard. Big step, right? haha. I did it for a few reasons: Mostly money. A $20k bonus, $18k in student loan repayment, and unlimited options for future employment in a rather unhealthy job market seemed like a good combination of rationality to up and do it. There was also the notion that I would have something to do for the year the BF would be away in the big sandbox.

That's probably the best decision I've made in a long time. I spent a few months working at my original job at the poultry place because I quit that bartending job I had. My boss made me miserable.

The cons to joining the military: Gave up puppy... that was probably the hardest and most depressing thing I've ever done. I still miss the crap out of that dog, despite the fact that she chewed up my favorite cookbook, and peed all over the carpet... There will always be a special place in my heart for Madi.

I also broke the lease at my apartment, as no one would be living in it. All of my things are now sitting in a storage unit, and I'll be living with my bestest friend in the whole world when I get back.

Basic Training was one hell of an experience. I left on St. Patrick's Day of 2009. I finished up on my birthday at the end of May. Since, I've been in fabulous Ft. Eustis, VA. My job is probably the best part about being in the military. I work on these tiny little helicopters. I'm a mechanic, and I love every minute of it. Like, a lot. It's definitely not psychology or accounting or any of that fluff. Just straightforward wrench turning and pulling out and putting back in.

BF and I split about a month and a half ago. It's a looooooong complicated situation and I'm still incredibly bummed about the whole thing. It's been a rough time. Really rough. Long story short, he wanted the freedom to do what he pleased when he finally comes back to the states, and neither of us wanted me to be the one to hold him back from that. A relationship with such distance in the way is hard enough to maintain without one person not really having their heart in it. I miss him terribly.

I go back to Ohio in a little over 2 weeks, and I'm not ready in any way, shape, or form. I never thought I would dread returning home, but the fact of the matter is that I've had all my decisions made for me for the last 6 months, and it kind of works for me. For anyone who has been on this site since 2004, you've seen me live my life, seen me change my mind and make decisions that have totally reorganized my world time and again. It's hard to tell if the decisions I'm making these days will really be all that good for me. It's hard to trust a 5 year crazy streak...

Not only that, but I do love what I do in the Army, and I dont have a steady job waiting for me when I get home. I do have a rent-free place to stay, which takes much of the burden off, but I dont want to be a total mooch.

I will be purchasing a new car when I make my return. Haven't had one in the last 4 years. I'm pretty sure it's going to be essential to the job-getting process. That, and I get the first half of my bonus... so I'll put about $9k down and pay off the remaining balance over the course of the next 2 years. Have a warranty and a car that shouldn't break. I'm buying a Yaris. Drove BF's back before I left, loved it. It'll be a manual. Much more fun, and much cheaper. I'm pretty excited about it.

I need to find a job ASAP. I'll be attempting to find a full time tech position at my unit. Pays great and I'll be doing something I really love. I'll return to school either full or part time in January, depending on what job I find. If the tech thing doesn't work out, I'll probably go back to waitressing, and do school full time-- reaping the benefits of my GI Bill.

Other than that, things are just kind of suspended til I get home. The last month has been really crappy, and I'm hoping that getting back will get me in gear rather than make me feel more hopeless, which is what I'm dreading.

Regardless, I apologize for the depressing nature of this entry. I'm hoping that getting back in control of my finances will help me feel some amount of control over the rest of my life. I'm a single gal now, with endless possibilities. That should be exciting. Really, it's overwhelming because I have no idea what in the world I want to do.

Sigh.

At any rate, I want to say hello again to all the old friends hanging around still, and I hope to find some positive support here in my financial endevours. As always, what I intended to do didn't really end up happening, and the amount of money I saved/paid off my CC with wasn't nearly as much as I had hoped for through all this.

Time for change.

At this time, I'll let y'all move on to other entries or the activities of your everyday life, but I look forward to blogging with you all again Big Grin

10 Responses to “Holy crap, she's back!”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1250438690

    Welcome back! And congratulations on your military enlistment. The Army has been a great experience for my husband and my family as well. Just keep moving forward and you'll do great!

  2. lizajane Says:
    1250440877

    Welcome back! I don't find all of your entry depressing at all. There are a lot of good things in there too. one step at a time, and you'll get it all figured out.

  3. boomeyers Says:
    1250441830

    Wow.........
    Okay, well I've missed you! I am boggled by the turn to the mechanical as you always seemed so creative, but if you love it, then that is awesome! Step outside the box and learn something new!
    It's hard to trust a 5 year crazy streak... Stick Out Tongue This one is easy, you have to learn to trust yourself. Nuff said.
    I for one, look forward to your new journey! Welcome back!

  4. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1250443880

    Welcome back!

  5. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1250447951

    Welcome back. Good for you for taking a HUGE leap of faith and even better, that it has worked out!!!

    Think it through on putting almost the entire half of your bonus into a car. You may want/need some of that money to help with living expenses until you find the right job. Perhaps consider an emergency fund with a little of it....

    Anyhows, it was nice to see your name pop up on a blog entry...let us know how things progress from here!!

  6. baselle Says:
    1250471103

    Wow - welcome back. A lot has happened to you in those 10 months. Decisions that move you forward never make for depressing reading. Are you going to be deployed? Stay safe, and don't be a stranger!

  7. Broken Arrow Says:
    1250471945

    Wow, has it really been a year? I guess so!

    Sorry to hear that things didn't work out, er the relationship anyway. Glad that your new military gig worked out. That's pretty darn cool.

    I think you'll do just fine!

  8. shiela Says:
    1250474216

    WOW! I've always wondered what happened to you. I would never guess in a million years this is what you'd be doing now. It sounds exciting...wow.

    Welcome back! I always enjoy reading you blog.

  9. whitestripe Says:
    1250490052

    yeah i had wondered where you had gotten to as well. i changed my blog since then so you probably don't know who i am, (i was greengirl.)
    glad to see you're back and hope you keep posting!

  10. CouponAddict Says:
    1251588094

    All I can say is BE CAREFUL watch what your bonus contract says about taking a technician job, your bonus contract may say 6 month or a year AFTER your bonus is paid out to be able to take a technician job without losing your bonus.

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