So it's been a little while since my last entry. I have quite a bit of updating. My birthday was last week. I'm now 21 and a bit poorer because of it. I went out with friends on tuesday night, then had a party saturday night. Both were ridiculously fun. I got to celebrate both in Pittsburgh and Akron, so the tour de 21st was complete. I got to see a friend of mine that has been away for the last 3 years, about 30 people came to my party in Ohio, and me and my best friend from highschool talked about the wedding thing and all is well. I'll be making a speech at the reception

Other than that, the only exciting news is that I went to trader joes for the first time today. I dont think I'll ever shop anywhere else. I bought an array of things, all very decently priced, and far healthier than the crap I've been eating lately. We did buy quite a bit, though, so BF and I have decided that we will not go out to eat for at least the next two weeks. We need to keep saving for vacation anyways. It's so soon!

As for my birthday, I made out quite well for gifts. I was entirely unsuspecting, but I was a delightful surprise for sure! Included were: subway cookies, a homemade apple pie, sparklers, fun noodles, a videogame, earrings from italy, wine, vodka, the Silver Palate cookbook (fantastic), a dress, a shirt, a necklace, and BF got me a new camera (eep!) so I took PLENTY of pictures... here are a few! Enjoy!


BF and moi. We're quite the silly pair...


And again...


With a friend of mine at the bar...


My best friend is in the middle (Wesley) and my other good friend on the left (Melissa)


These are all my gals.


Drunken sparklers were a great idea...hehe.

So I've for the most part gotten to the point that I'm okay with my friend and her aforementioned actions... I dont think I'm going to say anything. I've never been one to have the balls to fess up to being angry with good friends.

I do want to mention, however, that this is not the first time in recent history that she has brushed me off. And that is more why I was upset than anything. I've been blown off and for the most part ingnored for quite some time. It was a frustrating situation even before the wedding ordeal, it just really hit home, if you know what I mean.

Aside from that, it was a no-spend day. I played my game for a while, then went outside and read. Worked and made barely any money. It was a relaxing night, however, and my coworkers all seeemed to be in great moods, so I have no reason to complain. I'm hoping to get to the grocery store tomorrow. I made out a list today. I also need to stop by the post office and pick up 2-cent stamps (I forgot who confirmed my suspicions that postage rates increased, but thanks!) to mail off my bills. Other than that, I think more reading is in my future. And more work. hehe. Hopefully I'll make more than $22 tomorrow!

At any rate, everyone have a great day/night!

I had 2 no-spend days in a row, only to be broken by getting breakfast this morning wtih friends. Ended up spending $15, but it wasn't too bad considering I spent no money last night on booze. BF brought a bottle of wine from home with us to the party, and the hosts provided otherwise. We had a great time, and it's the most we've been social in a while. We ended up staying the night because everyone got a little too drunk to drive. Some just a little too drunk period. I was pleasantly so and dont feel too bad today, especially after such a yummy breakfast. I do, however, have to work in a couple hours. Hopefully it'll be a little busier than last night (I didn't make all that much money at all). I'll top my night off with perhaps more videogames!

I signed checks and whatnot today, but need to mail off my bills tomorrow. Did the postage rate change yet?? I forgot... I still have a bunch of stamps... perhaps I'll stop by the post office tomorrow while I'm downtown and buy some 1 cent-ers. I need to stop by the bank tomorrow as well. I think I might stop by the grocery store as well. Aldi's, here I come. Woo! Gotta make a list... either way, everyone have a wonderful day!

Well. Yesterday was my first no-spend day in a while. woo! I worked a double, which may seem to my benefit, but the evil empire of Starbucks tempts me both in the morning and on my break. I overcame the dark forces and drank iced green tea from work (better for me anyway). I made great money ($161) for the day, though my feet (and my legs, and my back...) hurt VERY badly when I left. Tonight I dont work such long hours (13, to be exact for yesterday...), so I'm hoping my feet wont be torn to shreds so brutally.

BF bought me my game!! woo! The birthday present has come early! Civilization IV. I'm cancelling my WoW subscription, as this game is quite involved. I did the tutorial last night, so I'm pumped to actually start a game today. That'll keep me busy until later when I go to work. I'm thinking today is going to be a no-spend day as well.

Got the electric bill the other day, and it is not what I expected, rather bad, actually I told BF we need to start turning our computers off at night, and not using the A/C as much. Actually, I wanted to just turn the thermostat off, but he refuses because he likes the airflow that it gives. He's unrelenting. I hate it. So I'm taking extra effort to make sure I unplug things like chargers that generate electricity even when they are off, and make sure that all of the lights are turned off before we go to bed. He has a habit of leaving all the lights on all the time. Drives me up a wall... how wasteful it is! urgh. Either way, I'm gonna get going. Talk to y'all later!

I went to dinner with a friend tonight. Ended up spending $24. Of course, I came home with an entire other meal... I guess that's the great thing about Bucca Di Beppo-- they have family sized meals, so we shared a meal, garlic mashed potatoes, and the tiramisu (which I also brought a chunk of home). I even brought the rest of the bread in the basked back (it's too good to waste, afterall!). So though I spent a bit of money, I ended up with mucho leftovers and caught up with my friend. We've decided to make this a monthly tradition, rather than a sporadic one. hehe.

Other than that, the day was quite uneventful. I played WoW for a bit, though I think once I get my copy of Civilization for my B-day, I'm going to cancel my subscription. It'll save me $15 a month, and we just got a wii not too long ago, so I'll have plenty to keep me busy when I'm not out slaying gnomes and the like

Tomorrow is my long day, and I'm hoping it is accompanied by large tips I may even put on some makeup to see if I make more money. hehe. As a waitress, I should probably do this every time I work, I just get so lazy about it. heh.

I think once I get done with all this vacation hooplah that i'm going to rebuild my EF. I had a decent amount of money saved up, but then stuff started happening and this and that and bleh. I should have a good EF. I'll make that a goal. I need to work on my goals... I'm just so wrapped up in vacation. Perhaps tonight I'll put something together. erg. So much money to be spent. I guess that's why birthdays are both bad and good. Bleh. Later guys!

So after much, much talk, BF and I have decided to go the roadtrip on our own, just the two of us. He told me yesterday to decide what I wanted to do with my vacation. I had considered doing something without him, and thought about it all day. I considered my options, my budget, etc. I was considering going to london for a while, but when I couldn't get myself to call my friend, I accepted that it just wasn't the time. BF came home from class and we laid around for a bit, and I realized just how much I wanted to go somewhere with just him, and I asked him where he would want to go.

At this point he kissed me a lot (haha) and told me how much he loved me and all that wonderful stuff. I think he was really bummed that I might want to do something on my own. I think he really wanted me to go with him (though he expected me to be all-flexible). So we talked about where to go, and decided that we would go through with the roadtrip afterall. No planes.

Now, in lieu of this, it was rather essential for him to teach me to drive a manual, because his car is. So we went to the chinese restaurant for dinner (I shouldn't have spent the money, but I've been so frustrated over the last couple days, I needed a treat), then went to a parking lot not far from our apartment. I think I did pretty well though I was dreadfully nervous. I did stall the car at least 8 or 9 times. But by the end of it all, he said, "Okay. Drive us home." I gave him a look of horror, convinced that I would kill us both in the process, but I managed to get home and only stall the car once. haha. We made it back alive. I think the reason I stalled was more or less because I was incredibly nervous. BF is a fantastic driver, and I feel so examined when I'm driving with him in the car. Cars are, afterall, his "thing."

So that's that. We sat down at the restaurant and tried to pull together a tenative itinerary for the trip, and it will be a total of 16 days. I have to start getting ready, planning what food we'll bring (we're taking a cooler with sandwiches and other goodies for the car ride), and figure the sleeping situation. BF wants to buy an air matress, as none of our friends have extra beds for us to stay in. I was a little weary at first, not wanting to spend any money I dont have to. But when I think about all the driving we'll be doing, it's probably best we get the best sleep we can when we get it! haha.

There'll be one night we sleep in the car-- on the way from Missouri to the grand canyon. But I think one night of sleeping in the car wont be too terrible. So yay on BF and I sorting through our problems. Yay for me for taking things a bit differently, and yay for the roadtrip. I'm finally excited again! Now I just have to work on that tan and exercise! Oh, and save up a little more for gas and food and whatnot. Either way, I'm happy again!

Well. As many had suggested, long talk wtih BF did ensue, and then ensued again. I even had him talk with my boss (heh. We're really good friends, this isn't as out of the ordinary as some might think). Basically, he says that he has talked to his friends, and he's decided that driving isn't the best option to take, and we're going to fly out for only one week. I tell him to do whatever it is that he wants, because I'm planning a vacation of my own. Then he gets all defensive and tells me that he wants me to be a part of it yadda yadda yadda. I tell him whatever, just let me know and he can string me along (with heavy sarcasm, of course). I felt awful all day, taken for granted (as another pointed out), and basically was asking myself if it's really the right point in my life to be putting someone else's needs before mine. I'm still young! I should be doing what I want!

So come later tonight, after a long (awful) work shift. My co-worker asks me for the dates I'll be gone because she may be filling in for me and it's good info to have. Well, I tell her the two weeks we've been shooting for. When I tell BF he gets all flustered and says things about people still getting together when they're going to be able to go and this and that and I basically bite his head off because it's so awfully NOT courteous to be waiting this long to tell work, and he can shove it up his @$$ because I needed the dates. Now. This is when the argument started for the second time today, and that's when I put him on the phone with my boss, because I didn't feel it should be my responsibility to explain the situation. Luckily, my boss is a very cool and flexible guy who happens to be buddies with my boyfriend as well as myself. He's willing to work with us, which further "proves that I am the only one who is really bothered by the dates not being set in stone." Well, yeah. I'm one of the few, but really, does it matter if it's just me or me and a thousand others? I think not.

So. More argument ensued on the way home, and basically I told him that it's too young for me to put his needs before my own, I have, afterall, just become able to put my own first. When I lived at home, I had to do what my parents told me. Now that I live with him, even if he doesn't flat out tell me, I take his word like it's my parents, and I dont. He pointed out that this is my decision, and I said yes, it is, and I'm going to change it.

He suggested to not worry about California, and to plan a vacation for just the two of us during the weeks I had told my co-worker, and I told him I wanted to spend one of the two weeks at home with my parents for the 4th of July. He said he wanted to go to Missouri one of the weeks >_< . Basically I suggested that maybe we take separate vacations. Especially after he mentioned he needed time away from me. I agreed. I do want to spend the 4th with him. He was in Missouri last year, so I didn't get to watch the fireworks with him. Maybe I dont though. Maybe I want the fun weekend with my mom and best girlfriend. Who knows. I basically need to decide what it is that I want. It just stinks that I have to do it in a month or so. Ugh.

Let me say that I do not plan to break up with him. He's a really great guy and loves me very much. I really think I need to take our relationship differently, however. He is not my mom. I need to stop treating him that way. If I want to go study abroad, I will (and plan to). I'm tired of limiting myself. I feel like I've been untrue to myself. He's the one that got me to stand up to my parents, and it seems I've just got someone else to stand up to now.

I dont even know where I want to go, as I really only ever want to go to Europe. We decided on California because we wanted to take a roadtrip and we knew people throughout the country. I'm not sure I even want to go now, especially considering all the fuss the trip has brought on. Maybe tomorrow I'll have a better idea, or at least be able to think things through a little better. I'm so tired. Work was long and I haven't had a day off since last thursday. I'm overdue. Perhaps some online research will be done with a fresh start in the morning. Yeah, that sounds good. Later then.

So I'm starting a new book today, but I still have to figure out which one I want to read, as there is a huge stack ready and waiting for me. At any rate...

Yesterday's trip to Aldi's was a success. I ended up spending $20 after BF reimbursed me for his "half" of the groceries (we keep groceries separate still, but we split the cost of any items we will both use). After grocery shopping, BF and I grilled out. We made cheddar bratwursts and grilled corn. Mmm. And each had a beer, of course After that I went on to work, where it was quite slow despite Mother's day, and then went home and watched a movie ("mirrormask"-- fantastic) with BF.

I got a check in the mail yesterday as well, for a poetry contest I won. $50 for submitting a poem to the contest (it was run through my university). Not bad, if you ask me

BF wants to go work out in a little bit, so I'll be joining him. Then it's back to reading in the sun This summer sure is turning out to be wonderful. Work tonight at 6, but I'll enjoy myself until then! At any rate, everyone, have a great day!

So in light of the summer, I went, well, a bit spending crazy. Of course, mostly at restaurants. But I'm getting myself in gear once again. Today I was going to run the race for the cure, but my feet hurt when I woke up and I was quite tired. I guess that saves me $35, but I still wanted to do it... either way. I still have yet to call my mom today, though I gave her her gift last weekend (a hoodie representing my university... she specifically asked for one). That was $40.

I finished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. LOVED it. I read straight through it in 3 days, mind you, that's not a short book... cant wait to buy the 6th, but I'm holding off because I just bought a book, and have a whole pile I'm still waiting to read. As for books, I bought a Barnes and Noble membership. While most will tell me that buying books off of amazon is cheaper (and be entirely correct), I'm a sucker for bookstores. I love going in and feeling the books, and smelling them, and all that creepy stuff that goes along with being a true book lover. If I cant handle the book, I'd rather not buy it... with the exception of obscure psychology books-- which Barnes and Noble are suspiciously short of. I'll leave those to amazon. At any rate, I get 10% off anything in the store, including the cafe. I get 20% off all hardcovers, and40% off all hardcover bestsellers. The clerk also told me they send me great coupons and I can order my textbooks through B&N and get my discount on them as well. Sweeet.

Today I need to hit the grocery store, if not for any reason but I need a reason to not go to a restaurant. Grr. I believe I'll be hitting Aldi. We'll see how it goes... later then!

I'm a woman on a mission this summer. I'm doing a great deal of pleasure reading before the fall. Yesterday I finished Prozac Nation, which was excellent. Not quite what I expected, but it was very good. Then last night I started Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, i.e. the 5th book. I decided it was a good idea to read it before I went to see the movie. The beginning is a bit slow, the reason I ended up trailing away from it the first time I tried to read it, but I have faith that it will pick up and be wonderful

Yesterday I spent $6 at Aldi's. BF was at class all day, so I took a walk to the bank and then to said grocery store. It was a nice long walk, in the beautiful weather. I bought another bag of salad mix: $1.99 because it's the mixed baby greens that I like, I also bought butter ($1.99), and a tub of asiago cheese ($1.99). Not bad. I forgot that Aldi's has a produce department (I'm not sure why, I read about it all over here! hehe). So next time I'm going to buy produce, I'm going there instead of Giant Eagle. Though at this point it seems I'll be shopping there for just about everything!

I did stop on the way home at this custard stand. Partly to see what it was all about, and mostly because I was hot (84 degree weather'll do that to ya!). They're a bit pricey ($3.89 for a small waffle cone), but it was gooood. Twisted mint and chocolate soft serve custard. Mmm. I'll have to keep away for my own good! Apparently, though, they're opening a mediterranean restaurant next month (eep!), so I'm pretty excited.

We went to Dick's, and found zero selection for roller blades, so I'm holding off for now.

My application with the KEYS program is currently "under review." Everyone cross thier fingers for me!

I'm off again today, so more reading and sunbathing will ensue! Perhaps I'll cook again tonight. yay!

...end up buying 5. I guess that's how clothing stores go. I needed a new tie for work. Bad. I went to Burlington Coat Factory, because that's where I like to find cheap ties (that are also very cute!), and I left with not only a tie, but a new bathing suit (I needed a longer top), a pair of shorts (I only own one pair), and a new teeshirt (something a little more spring-like). I forbid myself from spending any more money on clothes this month, I dont care if my birthday IS coming up. Usually I'm not one to go hog-wild on clothes (I usually break the bank in restaurants), but this nice weather has me buying all sorts of stuff, especially with vacation coming up next month (Eek!). I regret no purchase made today, but I'm putting a cap on the clothes spending for the month.

As for work, it was rather slow. I walked out with about $50, which really isn't bad considering we didn't have a whole lot of customers. I'm off for the next two days, and I'm still deciding what to do. Because I'm on summer vacation, I have no papers to write, no textbooks to read. I'm positively excited. I think I'll sit outside, read a book, and sip on wine all day. Then make dinner for BF and I. I'm going to make spaghetti with mushrooms, zuchinni, chicken, and broccoli. Perhaps I'll do a butter and parmesan topping as opposed to a tomato sauce, make it a little more summer-y.

Thursday I believe BF and I will be buying roller-blades. This is a purchase I've thought about quite a bit. I think I'll ask my parents to reimburse me for them for my birthday, but we'll see. Regardless, I want a nice pair. I love to skate and haven't on a regular basis for years, but it's excellent exercise, something I can do about anywhere, and after the cost of the skates, it's free! I'm not talking those crazy stunt skating gigs, just in the park when it's nice type of deal, and there are surprisingly a couple paths downtown for bikers and skaters, so it's something I could do leisurely downtown as well. I'm imagining picnics at one of the nice parks by our apartment, then skating on warm afternoons. Mmm.

Aside from all that, just more reading and such. And working out. I've been doing a great job keeping up with this exercise routine. Hopefully we'll start seeing some great results! Eating better helps as well! heh. At any rate, I'll update again soon (perhaps when I stop in for another glass of Pinot Gregio tomorrow afternoon amidst Prozac Nation). Later everyone!

So it was a monday night and I thought work would be slow. It was for the first couple hours, but then got a really nice rush, and I ended up making $97 tonight. woo! I'm working on getting my finances and savings plan down once again. With the travelling I'll be doing a little later in the summer, I have much to save for. Especially considering I may be quitting my job in the fall.

What, you say? Why, you say?

Well. Quite frankly, I'm tired of serving disrespectful jerks thier food, but beyond that, I'm trying to get into this program here in the city. It's run by Americorps, and it basically is a program that hires people to go to schools and runs afterschool programs helping innercity children in the classroom, with homework, or doing activities. In the summer they run a day camp and things of the same nature. They pay enough to cover my bills, but not much more than that. It would be 20 hours a week, not too much. They also give an education award after the program is finished, so it seems like a great setup to me. Besides, I would be doing something meaningful rather than menial. I've been too busy for the last few years to really give back to the community, so I'm excited for an opportunity that I could embrace. My mom thinks I should keep the gig with the restaurant regardless, even if I only work one night a week. I might do that, but I'll be carrying an 18 credit semester next fall, and I really wont have too much time. Eh. I'll figure it out.

Speaking of this program, I have to get my application in soon. Perhaps I'll finish it tomorrow. I had to get my second reference's contact information. I also need to get a move on my FAFSA. I know I was supposed to get it in a bit ago, but my parents are never quite on the ball with these things (I dont think they've filed thier taxes on time in years).

I also need to buy a new tie for work tomorrow. The one I've been wearing is pretty gross as of late. That's the trouble with wearing a tie at work. Food gets all over them. Luckily, Burlington Coat Factory sells cute ties that are pretty cheap. At any rate, I better get going. Sleep might be a good idea.

Well. The semester is OVER. I am free until the fall. wooooo!!!! I celebrated this weekend by celebrating my dad's birthday back home. Big party, much boozing and dancing. BF and I had a blast. The big problem? Every time we go back to Ohio we spend so much money! So I'm poor again, though I had quite a chunk of change in my checking account not too long ago. Eh. That being said, I'm back in PA and going cheap.

BF and I dine out waaaaay too much. I thought the main reason we did it here at home was because we really dont have anything to eat. So we went grocery shopping last week, and only bought food that was healthy, so I'm hoping that will drastically improve my eating habits-- that have gone to crap over the last few months of school. I'm going to get back into my workout routine as well. We have that fitness room in our apartment building, may as well take advantage of it.

And books. I have a whole stack of them to read this summer, and I'm so excited about it. So that's what I'll be doing following this post. Eat, workout, and then read in the sun because it is BEAUTIFUL outside. Alrighty then, later!

So I always forget what a huge ripoff the movie theatre is. BF and I go rarely, for things we REALLY want to see. Otherwise we wait until it comes out on video and either buy it or get it from the library, or watch it at someone else's house. We saw TMNT (both children of the 90's, we couldn't resist), but we went with BF's sister, and it was his grandparent's treat. Today, we went, and even with a student discount we paid $8 a person. THEN, of course, came the popcorn. Usually I dont spring $4 for a SMALL bag of popcorn, but it's like going to a baseball game, you just HAVE to get a hotdog. So I did. But I planned ahead and snuck a bottle of water in my purse... along with trailmix I bought for much cheaper than the candy I would have bought there. So it was no cheap trip, but in the end I still saved money (because I am that adamant about having my popcorn, darn it!).

The other trip we took was to the Exchange, well, to exchange. We traded in a few games my dad gave us that we didn't like too much for a couple that we knew we would like. The Sonic the Hedgehog complete set and Soul Caliber were on that list. Woo! And a couple CD's. I spent no money on that trip. We're eating dinner at home, though I could rightfully say that popcorn and trailmix constitute a meal... I'm so full.

By the way, the movie was good if you like the show. Really, the movie was just like a long episode of the show. It takes a specific kind of person to actually ENJOY Aquateen, though Back to school tomorrow... I have the last half of my exam on Jung. Woo! Tonight I think BF and I are going to do some laundry. And perhaps play some new videogames... woo hoo!

For the last year or two I've somehow forgotten that going to the thrift store is actually really great. I've been paying $50 for a pair of jeans at American Eagle here, or throwing down $70 for a dress at Express. I did, however, read an article in my university's newspaper, and they were talking about the thrift stores in the area, and how it's such a great idea for us college students (who OBVIOUSLY have no money, we spend it all on booze anyhow!) to shop at said places to save on cash. WELL, I did venture with BF to our local Goodwill, and boy did I feel like I hit the jackpot. My bounty:
3 Dresses, all adorable and spring-like, one of which is from Express (go figure!). Each at $4.99.
1 pair of bootcut stretch jeans, Gap. $5.99.
1 Shirt by American Eagle, $4.99
1 bath/beauty set (cucumber eye thingy), $0.99

My grand total was $23.51. Only that little bit for 3 dresses, a pair of jeans, and a shirt. I strongly doubt I'll go shopping ever again without first hitting the thrift store. I'm amazed. Really. BF wasn't able to find anything... that has more to do with the fact that he wears a funky size (he's a pretty small guy). Unfortunately, he's not small enough to fit into these awesome orange pants we found... haha. There were a few things that we both really liked that we just weren't the right size for. But I still feel like I won the lottery in the clothes dept. Especially since I really needed new jeans.

That, unfortunately, was not the only spending done today. We hit applebees and I got my favorite santa fe chicken salad (the half portion, of course). BF got mashed potatoes and a dreamscicle-booze-drink of some sort because he got his wisdom teeth pulled thursday morning. That was $26 total because I decided to try the apple chimicheesecake... bad idea because it was DELICIOUS. Remind me to stop trying new desserts. The ones I love already are bad enough

I've known for a while that dining out is my weakness. I really need to put a cap on it, though. It gets out of control when I dont monitor. I just realized that I blew a ridiculous amount of money at restaurants just in the last week, though. It's kind of a downer :/

Tomorrow me and BF are going to the exchange to trade in some of the Xbox games my dad gave us for ones we'll actually play. Did I mention my dad gave us an Xbox and a good 15 games for it a few weeks back? He bought the Xbox 360 and I guess had no use for it anymore... Cha-Ching! I think that's pretty sweet. We would never have bought one otherwise, but it's cool that we have one now, and didn't have to pay for a thing. Besides, we have the Sims (woot)!

We're also hitting the movie theatre to see the new Aquateen Hungerforce movie (yay!). HOWEVER, I already mentioned to him that we will NOT be eating at a restaurant tomorrow, which he seemed just fine with because he cant eat anything solid anyway... Ah, speaking of wisdom teeth, I guess it was drysockets I had after mine were pulled... which would explain the awful pain I endured for a couple weeks afterward. Yay. BF was researching it online, and the information he found said it's much more likely for women to get drysockets than men, and it's likely that women who are on birthcontrol will get it. Go me. I'm just happy I'm no longer waking up every night at 4 am. I'm also happy I'm no longer taking narcotics to get myself back to sleep when that happens. Ah, the joy that was my wisdom teeth...

I think that's it for tonight.

Oh wait, no. I got my security deposit in the mail from the old apartment. That's exciting! Woo! Now I'm done...

So last night was the first night I stayed at home alone since the mugging incident. And I'm still alive! haha. I was having serious panic attacks last month... rather unhealthy. I think the fact that we're in a new community helps, and that deadbolt too. That helped. Granted, I did have to put my headphones in and fall asleep to music (I have a habit of listening and getting freaked out by EVERY little noise that goes on in my apartment when I'm alone). And though I was still on edge, I managed to fall asleep fairly well considering. Go me!

Yesterday was nice, staying at home with nothing in particular to do (except that pile of reading for papers that I didn't even care to acknowledge). I enjoyed myself... worked out, painted my nails (and toenails!), watched a movie, worked a little more on the scarf I'm crocheting for my friend who is coming home from studying in Italy next month! I cant wait to see her (and not only because she's bringing me something back)!

Today I work. Actually, I'm currently at work. I had to take the bus becuase BF is out of town. It was actually a rather pleasant experience. I'll have to keep it in mind. But I clock in at 10:30, so I better get going. I double. Let's hope I bring home the bacon! (sorry piggy!)

I cant believe it! There is only a month left in the semester!!! Ahhh!!! Too many papers to write and finals to study for, in my opinion

So I should probably update. It's been a while *blushing*. First thing's first. BF and I are doing wonderfully. We hit some rocks a couple weeks ago (something I would call my own personal existential crisis), but after communicating very effectively and sorting through what it was that we both want, we've become stronger and happier with eachother. After all that was sorted through, I felt comfortable moving into our SECOND APARTMENT together. Woo! Really, BF did all the moving considering I was out of commission. I had my wisdom teeth pulled 5 days before we moved, and I'm not one to take pain in any easy way. I was really out of commission for about a week and a half, missed a week of school and work because of it, and was quite irritated that I had to pay $400 to miss that much class.

The apartment is great though. Previously we were paying $650 + electric (with electric heat), now we pay $650 + gas+ electric, but at the same time, our heat WORKS (a nice plus!) and is far cheaper, not to mention we have a FITNESS CENTER, complete with treadmills and bike machines, and a little outdoor POOL for laying out in the summer reading. I feel much safer living in a complex anyways, and there are all of these sweet little old people. They're the friendliest neighbors I've ever had. AND I've been utilizing the fitness room every other day for the last week. So things are looking up!

I got my fed tax return a while ago, $810 like I said. I wish I could still be excited about it, but the fact of the matter is all of it is gone. $400 to the oral surgeon and $371 on an iPod for BF. He bought me a ring (more of a promise ring than an engagement ring, but it really is quite pretty!) and I bought him an iPod. The 80-gig. He transports files to and from school with it and overfilled his last one with song files, so he had been wanting one for a long while. I really wanted to get it for him, and I haven't bought him anything really expensive the entire time we've been dating, so I just did. And I got to keep his old iPod! Woo! haha.

I'm just kind of sad that all the money I got back is gone. That's a lot of money. And somehow I'm still trying to save for a car. Despite the trips to IKEA to fill our much larger apartment. BF has all these ideas... he wants a new bookcase, he wants a new bedframe, he wants he wants he wants. I want a new bookcase for sure. We have piles of books lying ALL OVER the living room because they have no home. At the same time, he wants to buy 2 $200 chairs (leather, of course) and I not only do not have the money, but dont see them as a neccesity. Same with the bedframe.

I keep reminding him that while yes, that IS a good price for what it is, I still dont have the money for it. I'm tryng to SAVE FOR A CAR. We live further outside the city now, and if he ever wants to stop carting my ass to school and work, he better give up on the furniture Not to say I dont have my own vices (ahem, food), but it's still a bit difficult...

For anyone who was wondering, the biscotti thing has kind of hit a brick wall for the moment. I've just been too busy to bake. Work and school are kicking my butt.

I cant WAIT for the summer. I have so much to look forward to. Like I said, next month is it. Finals, and then I'm free for the summer. But even better, next month is my BIRTHDAY. woo hoo! Tara will finally be 21! I have to say, I haven't been as excited about it as I have been this month. It's just getting so close! And not to say I'll be out every weekend once the magical day arrives, but it will be quite useful on VACATION at the end of June. That's right, road trip across the country! 2 weeks. We're hitting Missouri (BF has a friend there), Arizona (I have a friend there), then the Grand Canyon, and then onto San Diego (our friend moved there a few months back). I'm really excited. I've never been that far away from home, and I've never seen that side of the US. I think there are 3 of us going, so we'll drive in shifts. I'm thinking of packing coolers with food and whatnot for on the way. We'll have a place to crash everywhere we go, so there will be no need to stay in hotels. It works out BEAUTIFULLY. yay!

Aside from vacation, my summer will be spent working, exercising, and reading by the pool Oh, and cooking. When I have the time I will do so much cooking for me and BF... I cant wait!

p.s. Today is a no-spend day!

Once again it seems that I have fallen off the face of the planet. March has been a busy and stressful month. I was hoping that spring break would be relaxing at home... working nonchalantly on papers and such. But then my grandfather died. Before the "I'm sorry's" roll in, he was a wonderful man and struggled for a LONG time, so quite honestly, I was relieved to see him go. Everyone took it fairly well, and we had a nice get together after the service that put a happier end to it all. I'm a person that believes our loved ones should not be mourned, rather celebrated for the wonderful people they are.

So after that school started back up and I had the remainder of my midterms. I'm happy to say that my scores, as I know thus are: 93%, 100%, and 106%. I'm waiting on the score of my final midterm now. I have no worries that it will be anything horrible, though I'm quite pleased with my scores!

For more happy news, me and BF (specifically ME) were approved to move into the new apartment. My credit miraculously came through for me, and the apartment is solely in my name! I suppose that's exciting from the standpoint that I've had nothing substantial to improve my credit thus far. We sign the lease tuesday and get the keys. We'll be moving for the better part of next week... despite the fact that we haven't started packing yet. Urgh.

As of right now I'm in Ohio at my parents'. I got my wisdom teeth pulled yesterday, and I woke up feeling like a truck hit me in the face. Luckily all I've had to take are over the counter painkillers. Haven't felt the need to dive into the narcotics prescribed to me by my oral surgeon. I'm also proud of myself for doing semi-okay before the procedure. I did tell the nurse, however, when she called me in that my mother was indeed my representative and would be going in my stead. It wasn't really the procedure itself, but the IV that they had to hook me up to that bothered me. I dont do well with needles. At all. I was numb all yesterday, but my mom has been great at taking care of me, and I feel rather okay today. I've been on the computer all morning, and though I cant eat a whole lot (I was eating the same cup of yogurt for 3 hours and still didn't finish it), my grandma is bringing me homemade broccoli cheese soup! Mmm. Mom bought me my favorite Coffee Haagendasz icecream too! (thank goodness icecream is a soft food).

Financially, thing have gone rather haywire. We've still been eating out a bunch, and I've decided to wait until after the move to do any amount of grocery shopping. It just makes sense. We're not really at home to cook. BF did just buy me a promise ring That was nice. I offered to buy him one, but he opted for a new iPod. I guess we both spent about the same amount considering I owed him some money for utilities last month. But this oral surgery cost me a nice chunk... $400 downpayment. I'm still not sure how much of it my insurance is going to cover. Let's cross our fingers! I guess I'm lucky, then, that the complex we're moving into is running a special... first month free if you sign a 13 month lease. oooo yeah. We jumped on that one. Not to mention, we should be getting our safety deposit back from the apartment we're living in now. So there will be some funds freed up (thankfully! I've taken so much time off this month for funerals and surgery... not good).

So that's the rather long update. I guess pain and excitement and stress all balled up into one big puffy me right now. I've got a paper to write before class on wednesday, and I'm hoping to find the motivation soon. I'm just feeling so icky. At any rate, I better get going!

So I've been EXTREMELY busy for the last few weeks. It seems February swept by so fast! Midterms have (sort of) passed, and now I'm on spring break. Though that may seem glamorous, it's not really anything special here. I'm still working this week and working on projects that I now have time for. Ha! And pleasure reading... I'm loving that though I've spent a good amount of money over the last few weeks as well. I haven't grocery shopped once, which I guess is a good thing except I've dined out much more than I should have because of it.

We have next to no food in my apartment right now. haha. We're slowly working to bare nothing, but it's been a long haul. Our stocks are being consumed at the moment. Read: Ramen. And I forgot that BF's gram bought us a big pack of Boca Burgers from Sam's Club the last time we went. So now I'm working on those. We still have the stuff to make stir fry at least 4 more times. So we're not starving, we just have next to nothing in the way of variety.

At any rate, I need to get going. I have a project to get working on. Later everyone!

So after a short hiatus to work things out with BF, I feel back to normal. My finances were on the fritz for a while because I happened to not record things :P

At any rate, there have been some new happenings in the world of Tara! For one, I've had quite the social week... despite all of the homework that I *should* have been doing. But I'm relieved that things are picking up a bit in that department!

In other exciting news, I'm taking a trip for spring break! And if you're thinking Cancun, you're wrong I'm going to New Orleans with a group from my university to help rebuild houses devastated by hurricane Katrina. Hard work to come, for sure. I think it's going to be a great experience though and I'm really looking forward to it. I just have to hit the gym quite a few times beforehand. I'm going to be hurting. That's without a doubt!

Other than that, I'm just doing the same old same old... work, school. I've got a lot of schoolwork to do tomorrow, including a paper that I put off way too long. I better get sleeping! I have a long day ahead of me!

So... I talked with BF about a bunch of things that I see going wrong with the relationship, and we're going to change/work on a few things... like becoming better friends. We dont talk as much as I'd like to.

But nonetheless, I feel much better about things. We're still planning on moving--together-- in April. But our plans for marraige are going to be pushed back a bit. I want to start, and perhaps even finish grad school before then. But we'll see what happens.

Oh, and luckyrobin, my friend is gay I dont think he's too interested in stealing me away. hehe.

As for today, I'm going to campus early to work on some stuff for class. There's a poetry reading/workshop at 1:00, which I'm really excited about. I love poetry and it'll be nice to go do something on campus that isn't going to class. I just wish I had someone to go with.

After that ends, I have nothing to do until class at 6:00. Which means working on more homework/readings.

It seems as though I may have to pack lunch AND dinner today... But perhaps not. Maybe I'll stop and get Wendy's or something. I've had a good week, and I've only used 20 cents of my Food on Campus budget, which is $20. A junior bacon cheeseburger and a baked potato... or maybe chili. It's so cold! At any rate, $2.23 for a meal aint bad at all.

I need to figure out what I'm going to get/make for BF for Valentine's day. He has just about everything he wants. That makes it pretty hard. I'm not big on buying things for people for the sake of buying them. I try to put a lot of thought into my gifts. So that will be one of the day's ponderings. What to get the boy who doesn't really care for chocolate or candy, and wants nothing? Sigh. This could be hard...

CHALLENGE TOTALS:
February total: $12.72
Year total: $142.29

I managed to only spend 15 cents today... all on containers. But that's not too bad. I found 4 cents on the floor in the University Cafe. I packed both my lunch and dinner.

Me and BF are moving into a larger apartment in April. We've found a few places to look at, and honestly I'm incredibly nervous right now. We've been going through some problems and I feel like I need to resolve them before we put a security deposit down. Either that, or find an alternative [separate] living space. I've been thinking a LOT. Most likely more than I should, but nonetheless I've come to some very interesting and unfortunate conclusions. I'm not happy. More specifically, I'm not happy with my relationship. I think we need to take some time apart to be independent and become friends again. Things have become much too superficial.

The problem with this is that it is going to cost quite a bit more. No split rent, etc. I was considering moving into a dorm if it came down to it, but I dont think I could do that. A kitchen of my own is a must. Of course, this is all just an idea and there is a big possibility that we wont move separately. I'm just trying to be prepared.

I've got a lot to think-- and talk-- about regarding all this. In the meantime, I'm trying to truck on with my school work and not let all this on my mind get in my way. I keep telling myself that we can work through it. I've talked to both of my best friends, who both love him and they're rooting for us. I am too. But when I talked to a new friend who has never met him, he suggested maybe taking a break. I've been thinking about it. We'll see. I think there's a certain value to a 3rd party opinion. but once again, only time can tell now... Everyone have a great night!

Some other bloggers here commented earlier this week about laziness and its pros/cons in the financial field. I'm not so happy to say that today I learned a valuable lesson:

Never go to HR Block.

The fact that I paid $60 to do what I could have done just drives me up a wall. I thought my taxes were complicated, but really all I had to do was put in one additional peice of information that I didn't have last year, and I get everything back. That information was nothing more than my tuition statement. Ugh. I could have done it myself.

Not only that, but they didn't do my state taxes... it would have been extra. So I have to file those myself. Ridiculous.

On the upside, my federal is filed and I'm getting $810 back. Not too shabby at all! Of course, the majority of it will be put back into student loans. Perhaps a hundred of it or so will go to my challenge. Just because And another hundred will go toward my emergency fund.

I packed my dinner tonight and had lunch at home. So all money spent today was on groceries, perscriptions, and tax preparation. Boo.

My grocery budget is coming along fabulously. I managed under $10 for the week, and I'm fairly confidnent that I'm going to reach my goal of spending under $50 for the month. I haven't really spent any money on campus either. 5 cents for a cup with hot water in it, but I've been reusing the cup for the last 2 days. Bringing my tea to campus with me...

I'm meeting a new friend for coffee tomorrow on campus. It should be nice. We've been talking over Facebook [for those who dont know, it's a university-based networking community type of thing]. He goes to my university and seems pretty cool. Let's hope I make a lasting friendship! I've been feeling rather social lately. I keep telling myself that I dont know anyone here, but really I've made quite a few aquaintences. I wish a few of them were closer friends, but I guess that comes with time.

At any rate, I better get going. I've got class in the morning! Everyone have a great night!

I went to Giant Eagle this morning to pick up my prescription. I also grabbed just the few things that were on my list for the week. I used a couple coupons and saved a couple of bucks.

Total spent: $7.10
Total saved in coupons and sales: $2.14

All savings go to my challenge money. I've got to go to campus today unexpectedly for a psych club something or other, so I'll be downtown. In my down time, I think I'm gonna head to HR Block to get my overly complicated taxes taken care of. At least ask about their rates. I packed a dinner to eat before work. So it should, for the rest of the day, be a no-spend day. I may work on a paper while I'm on campus as well.

Last night at work ended up being much busier than I had anticipated, and I was the only server for some reason. So I made decent money. Woo! I like those days... Let's hope tonight will be a good tip night as well. Everyone have a great day!

CHALLENGE TOTALS:
February: $9.89
Year Total: $139.46

So I've been on campus since 9:40. It's getting closer to the time to go to work, and I'm about to go and eat my dinner... soup, an apple, and a ferrero rocher chocolate... All brought from home. Mmmm.

I had 3 classes today, 2 in which we were watching movies. My professor brought in popcorn for us all. The only money I've spent was 5 cents to buy a cup of hot water at the cafe. I brought my own tea. I also saved the cup and grabbed a few packs of equal to take with me, along with a couple of plastic spoons. I've been taking my spoons from home to campus with me, and it's kind of silly.

So it's not technically a no-spend day, but the remaining 95 cents I have from breaking a $1 bill will be put toward the challenge... yay! Still, 5 cents isn't too bad. I've had much worse days. haha. At any rate, I better get going. I'm stopping in the cafe to warm up my soup in the microwave, and then it's off to work for me. Though I'm really not looking forward to walking in this weather! The upside is it's much warmer here on campus than it is in my apartment. Cant complain too much! Later, everyone!

So me and BF went out of town for the weekend. We just got home, and even though we set the thermostat at 60 because we were gone, it's only 53! We've increased the temperature, but our little furnace that unfortunately couldn't is working its tail to no avail...

My trip was GREAT. I got to visit with family, and me and my mom went out with our cousin last night. I got to spend time with loved ones, and it was very inexpensive on my end. The only thing I paid for was Wendy's for mom and me because she had no cash on her. AND I ended up coming home with more than I went with for FREE. Yay!

2 pairs of jeans. Mom gave me one of hers that didn't fit her right, and we went shopping. Hit a great sale at JC Penny.
1 shirt.
1 pair of great boots.
1 can of spray to waterproof them (thanks again mom!)
1 bottle of Pinot Gregio
Half a family package of string cheese (mom wont eat the non low-fat kind anymore)
A whole container of Ferrero Rocher chocolates (Thanks to my Aunt and Uncle!)
Small package of granola.

Not too shabby! And I hit Ulta on our way to Ohio and took advantage of a freebie that was posted... a smashbox lip palette. Woo. I also had a 20% off coupon I recieved for being on their email list. AND my coworker gave me a $25 gift card there that she said she wouldn't use. So I spent $3 total and got the lip palette, moisturizer, a really cute shade of urban decay eyeshadow, and a 4 color combination eyeshadow from Covergirl. Not bad at all!!

But now I'm home and things are good. I've got class tomorrow, despite the single-digit weather. BF said he'd give me a ride to class, though. Whew!

I've decided on my own challenge for the month. In January, I spent $175 on groceries... just for me!! This month I budgeted $50, and I'm stickin to it. I'm gonna aim as low as I can. The money I save will go toward my student loans, but if I get under $50, I'm putting the money toward the challenge. Only food grocery items apply. I budgeted a separate amount for non-food grocery items. So here we go! I haven't grocery shopped at all in February. Yet. I think I'll be set for the week. I bought enough yogurt and apples to last me 2 weeks. So that covers lunch both days I'm on campus. But we'll see. At any rate, I'm gonna get going. I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Alright... here it is!

$ Earned at work: $1019.70 [not so great at all...]

Expenses:
Groceries: $172.79 [$100 budgeted] $72.79
Dining Out: $98.00 [$45 budgeted] $53.00
Food on Campus: $7.92 [$15 budgeted] $7.08
Clothes: $9.40 [$15 budgeted] $5.60
Entertainment: $55 [$55 budgeted] $0
Gifts: $3.00 [$10 budgeted] $7.00

So about $106.11 over budget...

On the upside...
$20 Challenge total for January: $129.57
$ paid on student loan: $175
Total No-Spend days: 10 [my goal was 7]

Considering the fact that $140 was stolen along with $150 in gift cards I was going to use to buy my books, I can honestly say I did well. I made very little money this month compared to normal, which sucks. But I was able to pay my bills AND buy the World of Warcraft expansion, so I really have no room to complain. And I can only see positively into February. Life is getting back to normal.

I got my final W-2 in the mail today, so I will be taking a trip to HR Block to get my taxes taken care of. I'm not sure what thier rates are, but I'm sure it's going to save me a lot of confusion, as well as money, in the long run.

At any rate, I'll be getting off here now. I have to get ready to go to court. Everyone wish me luck!

I was supposed to meet a friend for lunch/dinner on my break between classes today, but it seems she got held up and wants to reschedule for tomorrow. That's fine, except I didn't bring anything for dinner. ugh. So I'll be buying something cheap, I suppose. Maybe some fast food, as much as I dont want to eat more of it this week. It's just the cheapest option, I think. We'll see. The good news is that I'll get more homework done, assuming I'll pull myself away from this machine

Work last night was pretty awful. I only made $9. One table the entire night... not so hot. I guess you win some, you lose some. I need to go to the bank, though, and withdraw a little money from my savings, however, because I put all my money toward my student loans the other day. I only have a little cash :P

I'm looking forward to this weekend. I'm leaving for my parents' house on friday afternoon. I'm excited to visit the family, and spend some quality time with my mom. It'll be nice to get away. Unfortunately, however, I'm taking 2 days off to do this, so I'll be a bit pinched for cash. Ah well. I've got my cushion. I'll be fine for the first week.

I'm trying not to spend as much on groceries this month. I have a bad habit. I need to finish what's in my apartment. I'd go back home to eat dinner today, but honestly it's just too darn cold and I already walked one way today. Once again, I'll also get more work done this way. At any rate, I better get going or all that homework I've been talking about will never get done! Everyone have a great day!

So I must make this quick...

I took my biscotti to the coffee shop today. 70 peices this time. He gave me $35. I'm taking half of it to the challenge. I also got my first check ever from a survey company. $4 for one survey aint bad...

Today thus far has been a no-spend day. I went to the bank to deposit my challenge money as well as some money I've made over the last couple days. I got the bank fees taken care of on my account. Things are finally getting back to normal... after I got home, I transferred my challenge money to my emigrant account... so that should go through tomorrow. I also paid $175 toward my student loan/interest.

So I'm back down to having no expendable money until tonight after work. Let's hope it's busy! I'm going to lunch/dinner with a friend tomorrow. That should be fun. I'm going to attempt to make it low-cost. We're both pretty tight on the budget as it is, so I'm sure it wont be a problem At any rate, everyone have a great night!

Challenge Total: $127.78

Alright. So I spent a little more on dining out than I had originally planned. BF wanted to get food at like, 1:00 am the other night and I was feeling particularly giving. We've been going through some stressful times in our relationship and lives in general. Besides. I love those spontaneous "let's go out in the middle of the night" happenings, and they've been far less frequent lately. So we hit up Steak n Shake and talked, and I had a delicious frozen yogurt milk shake... mmm.

Then yesterday I spent ALL DAY baking biscotti. 3 batches for the coffee shop and one for my friends/family. I told my best friend I would make him something, and I'll be seeing my family out in Columbus for the first time in a while this weekend. I thought it would be a nice gesture. So needless to say, I wasn't looking to cook after all that baking. So we went to our favorite restaurant (well, one of!) and I got a bowl of soup, BF got an appetizer, and we both got tea. I spent about $15. The good news is that I didn't buy any clothes all month, and bought less food on campus than anticipated. My budget can hold it.

Today I was planning to be a no-spend, but as it turns out, my dasani bottle is missing, and I need to have my water during the day :/ The first psych club meeting is today before I go to work, and there will be free pop and pizza! Woo! At any rate, I better get moving. Dont want to be late!