Our Debt Reduction Story

Student loans and other debt is crippling if you don't have a plan in place. It can still feel incredibly daunting at that point but trust me, little by little you will gain strength and feel like you can take over the world if you do.

We started out with approximately $40,000 in student loan debt combined. We managed to come out of school with a relatively low loan amount but little or small, this is still a LOT of money. My loans went in to repayment in November 2010. Gary's went in November 2011. For a few years, we simply paid the minimum plus a little extra to all of our loans. To this day, I very much regret paying on our loans this way.

Why? This is a perfectly acceptable way of paying off debts but in no way shape or form is this the best way or most motivating way. I honestly feel that if I had practiced our current debt reduction plan back in 2010, we would have been rid of our student loans by 2013. Seriously, this made me really pissed off for quite awhile. It was hard to shake that feeling of deep regret. At this point, it's more now just annoying to think I have to work so hard now when I could have been done already.

But not exactly. Life happens. We had credit card debt. We bought a brand new car in August 2013. We've recently done renovations. Approximately $38,000 more financed using debt. These were all choices that we made and understood would prolong our debt reduction plan. Back in May 2014, I posted this picture and comment:

5 out of 12 school loans paid in full! Our goal is to have the rest paid off by Fall 2016!
#29orlessmonthstogo #agressivedebtreduction

I'm happy to report that this was before we had a remodel loan but we still plan to be rid of all these debts by the Fall of 2016. That's what I'd call #aggressivedebtreduction!


Old Debt Reduction Method Explained

Like I previously mentioned, for a few years, we simply paid the minimums with a little extra that went towards all our loans.  I had eight separate federal loans and Gary had four. By having our payment spread out among all of loans, it was a very, very slow reduction. Granted, faster than if we were simply paying the minimums but this wasn't much better. Example, we hung on to three loans that were less than $500 for three years. That's just ridiculous! It wasn't in the least bit motivating to pay this way because you can't see much of a decrease in any of your loans. Motivation is how you can get out of debt more quickly!

I didn't pay much attention to this until we got pregnant with Owen in 2013. That's when I discovered our new method of debt reduction.


New Debt Reduction Method Explained

We've used what is called Avalanche method. We now pay the minimums on all our loans and put all of our extra loan payment money to one loan. More specifically, the loan with the highest interest rate regardless of balance. For us, that was our credit card debt. Because those rates are ridiculously high, that had to go first. Then came our student loans with rates 6.8% down to 4.25%. Our remodel loan is at 4.25% so that will be next followed lastly by our car loan. Using this method, it is not suggested to add in your house loan if you have one of those. Once a loan has been paid off, you take that minimum payment and add it to your extra payment. That's what creates the avalanche. Each time you get rid of a loan, add what you were paying on that to your next loan payment.

If numbers make more sense to you, let's say you have $500 in minimum payments. You want to put an extra $500/month towards that first targeted loan. For the duration of your debt reduction journey, you'll always pay $1,000 a month but the amount you put towards each loan will gradually increase as you pay loans off. Loan A has a minimum balance of $50. When that gets paid off the next loan in line will receive an extra payment of $550, up from $500. Make sense?

By targeting one specific loan at a time, it is quite motivating. Using a worksheet downloaded from this website, we can see at a glance when all of the separate loans will be paid off depending on how much extra we have to put towards the debt. I play around with this so much it's crazy. I had a realistic approach saved and then also a crazy wishful thinking approach as well. I followed the realistic approach until May 2015. Once we started paying for two kids in daycare, I realized we should get out of debt as quickly as possible. That moved us to the crazy wishful thinking approach, hence my second job at Rubaiyat!

My suggestions are literally to do whatever possible to get out of debt ASAP. Think 24 months or less. Take a second job, live on a teeny tiny budget, use apps like ibotta and PactApp to save money on everyday things and activities. Again, I wish so very much that we had done this sooner without kids. Talk about busy!


What we are putting towards debt

*Every single penny I earn from Rubaiyat

*The extra money from both of our pay increases at our day jobs

*A fixed dollar amount extra from our regular budget

*Money earned from ibotta, Checkout51, PactApp, ebates

Debt Reduction Timeline
Credit card debt - eliminated November 2013
Vanessa's student loan debt - eliminated fully in August 2015 (4 years, 9 months)
Gary's student loan debt - eliminated fully in September 2015 (3 years, 10 months)
Remodel Loan - projected completion date: April 2016
Car Loan - projected completion date: July 2016

If you want my help with the worksheet, please don't hesitate to ask. You can facebook message me or email me at vanessa.wiest11@gmail.com.

Good luck with your own Aggressive Debt Reduction journey!

Memories I Love - 200th Blog Post!

I have been thinking for awhile how to make this 200th blog post different. That's kinda hard when all my posts are different...Regardless, I've been looking back at all the things in life that I've loved, memories, foods, etc. Thus, that's what this 200th blog post will be about. All the memories I love :)

First off, here's one thing I don't love: laziness. I have practically jumped off the wagon and ran from it in regards to my daily exercises. Not a single push up in February and none so far in March. Same with sit ups, crunches, and squats. Seriously, I NEED MY MOTIVATION BACK. Where did it go??? I need some encouragement, folks. Bring it :)

Okay, like I said, I've been thinking a lot lately. I find myself drifting back to my favorite memories and favorite times in life.

**Growing up in Strawberry Village. After my mean stage :).
I am always reminded how blessed we all were to have grown up in Strawberry Village with the parents we had. Having three sisters wasn't always a blast in a glass but we learned from each other. I know that I became who I am by how I was raised and I tend to think I'm a pretty good person. All my faults are my own and I own them completely. Yes, I'm lazy; yes, I eat too much pasta; yes, I can have a really sharp tongue sometimes; but these are my own. I know that all of these things are not showing my best side, but the fact that I am aware of these faults shows how I was raised to be a good person. I'm not blind to these things and I can (try) to work on them as I get older. Thanks Mom, Dad, Amanda, Bridget, and Leta. You are my favs! My other favorites? My mom's goulash :)

High School.
High School wasn't all that great but my absolute favorite memories about that time is how close Leta and I became. We were NOT close for such a long time and my poor parents can attest to how ridiculous we were. Putting tape down the middle of our bedroom was not our most shining moment :) I think I recall that one of us wasn't able to leave the room based on our divider...(Leta, do you remember that??) Despite all that, we came together at such a critical time in my life. I was happily a floater all throughout high school but sometimes it's nice to have a solid group of friends to hang out with during the school hours. Leta and her friends became that for me. We had soooo much fun riding to school together, getting ready for different concerts together, going to different events together. I love thinking back to those times :).

**College, but more specifically, Sophomore Year.
I had THE best time during my sophomore year at Luther. It seemed that my friends and I had not quite grown up yet and were still in that slightly immature, yet really fun stage of our lives. We drank a whole lot and did a lot of dancing at Scoes. Seriously, I LOVED going to scoes, but I had a routine. Go early, be drunk because I never drank at the bar, dance it up and go home when I started elbowing people out of my way. I'm glad there aren't many pictures though. Gross.

Miller 717 was THE best room on campus, so cozy and tiny. We were a room full of dead animals (my dwarf hamster(s) and fish, Kendra's fish and crabs (more on this in a second). I'm SO glad we never let Kendra buy a bunny that she desperately wanted, probably would have died! Despite the dead animals, we had a blast in that room. My favorite memories? Tubs have little baby dwarf hamsters, the crab that somehow escaped out of Kendra's fish tank and scuttled across the room for god knows how long (and may have done the same in the room next door. We heard some screaming...), all the times Kendra would waltz into the room next door thinking it was ours, tuna raid night (see this post for more details!), and having Andrew and Spencer in the same building.

If I could go back to college, that's the year I want to go back to. We grew up a lot that year so Junior Yr & Senior Yr became more about school and work and finishing than having all that fun. And freshman yr? I'm not quite sure about freshman. We had our campus celebrities that year but man it was weird.

Gary.
I truly love how Gary and I met. I was a little high schooler crushing on a boy that worked in the caf. I would read in Marty's just hoping he'd be around playing pool so I could spy on him. It took a couple of years before we became anything more than friends. At the time, I had just come out of a very crazy sophomore year and I was on the brink of making some incredibly bad life decisions. Gary was there during all of this and I fell so hard because I knew he was the absolute perfect guy for me. He was everything that I needed and could have ever asked for. He cared for me more than anyone had ever cared for me before. I knew very early on that I loved him and it makes me smile every time I look back to the summer of 2008. It was a very special summer.

I love you too, honey bear :)

First Friday {3} - Monday Edition

I know it's been a LONGGGG time. I've been tired, lazy, unmotivated...I promise that I'll try to be better :) (Oh and I don't have Friday off in June or July, ie: Monday Edition :))

Recent happenings:

1. Gary graduated! This was such a long time coming and I couldn't be more proud. I somehow forgot to pack my own camera so I freaked out a little until I took Gloria's camera :) Good thing I did because I sat right behind Gary and got some great photos. Too bad I can no longer locate the cord this particular camera needs to get them online. Guess that will have to wait. Oops.

Gary and I had a great time in Decorah. We arrived Friday evening and were able to sleep in on Saturday. We went to the caf for lunch, the whippy dip in the afternoon and ate our supposed "last" meal at the Hotel Winn. The food was amazing. Luckily, we still have some dollas left of the gift certificate so I'll be able to come back this summer. Get excited. When the world didn't end when we finished, we went up to Phelps Park for a bit. Then later on, we went for a walk. How cute :)

Sunday was a bit of a blur just with everything going on. I dropped Gary off at the gym while I went to go find a seat. I just about peed when I noticed the spot directly behind Gary was open. I took out my book and read while waiting for Gary's parents to arrive. They never did. Why? Gary never told them where I was. Oh well :) The ceremony started 15 minutes early which turned out to be the best idea because it started sprinkling right after. The ceremony itself was fine because the weather was great. No sun, a slight breeze, awesome. We then went to lunch and then left right after that. Somehow we missed all of the tornadoes (thank God!)

2. Gary and I went to our first prenatal appointment. Nothing too exciting there but we confirmed the due date (which I already knew) and we got to hear the heartbeat!! He/she is at a solid 150 beats/minute. We go back on June 14. I am so hoping we can take an ultrasound, but we'll have to see.

3. I move down to Decorah (for LSM) on Thursday, June 16. I am so excited! Work has been super busy which is great but I still feel like there is something I'm missing. Let's hope not!

On tap for today? Dishes, cleaning, eating, Bachelorette?? At least there is something to look forward to :)

a walk down memory lane

Long ago I had a myspace account where I also kept a blog.  I deleted it a few years ago but found a link to my blog so I quickly snatched up what I could of my previous blog.  Sadly it was only a few postings but here are the ones I was able to find.  They are kiiiiiinda funny :)

**

Tuesday, January 06, 2009 1:15am
I’M SO IN LOVE AND I DON’T CARE WHO KNOWS IT

as cheesy as it sounds....I'M SO IN LOVE AND I DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS IT! Elf is such a great movie and to quote this line is a necessity.

My boyfriend is at work. I've been a bum watching TV since 7pm. And looking at engagement rings. (no no no, we are not engaged and have no plans...yet)

July 14th is such a special day to me, but honestly I cannot remember another time in my life where i have been so happy. ALL THE TIME. sure i have my ups and downs. Im a girl for crying out loud. I cry like nobody's business. and theres my spastic roomie who annoys the SHITS out of me. But i have this special guy who is always there for me. He is the most important person in my life and i cannot wait to marry him.

the end.

**

Thursday, August 9, 2007 9:23am
i made the perfect pancakes!
Current mood: sleepy

i sometimes get this urge to make pancakes. i did yesterday, but i normally make really horrible pancakes so i decided Not to make any. fast forward to about 14 hours later and here i want pancakes again. soooooooo i find my most favorite syrup, Karo, and the pancake mix....and wala!! i make the most perfect 2 pancakes. sad day though because i forgot that i get sick of pancakes before i even finish the first one.

anyone want my extra pancake?

**

Wednesday, August 1, 2007 12:57pm
im just a little behind..
Current mood: giggly

im now FINALLY getting into friends. yes, i know. it's like over and all that....but goooood lord it's hilarious!
better late than never right?

**

Wednesday, July 25, 2007 6:24pm
it's just a typical love story
Current mood: flirty

woot for Christmas in July.
will there be a christmas tree? yes
will there be hot chocolate? yes

will there be drinkage? yes....

should vanessa be walking back to her room alone? probably not ;-)

**

Sunday, July 15, 2007 7:57pm
Mom Freakout at Luther College
Current mood: aggravated

Levon. Mueller. Call. Your. Estranged. Mother. ASAP. Otherwise. She. Will. Continue. To. Call. Luder. College. Yelling. At. Me. About. Her. Son. Not. Making. It. To. Wrestling. Camp. Safely. Because. He. Had. To. Travel. A. Long. Distance. And. He. Could. Be. Stuck. Alongside. The. Road. Somewhere. Even. After. I. Have. Told. Her. REPEATEDLY. That. He. Has. Checked. In. And. The. Sports. Camps. Coordinators. Have. The. Message. In. Their. Hands. And. Are. Giving. Him. The. Message. AS. WE. SPEAK. So. Just. Step. Off. Already. Or. Get. Your. Son. A. GODDAMN. Cell. Phone.

That woman scares me...

**

Sunday, July 08, 2007 4:41pm
go meat!
Current mood: still tired

so im watching tv right now and i have to share this:
that dumb hillshire farm meat something or other commercial makes me giggle.

**

Sunday, July 8, 2007 4:02pm
I believe once your heart's involved it all comes out in moron
Current mood: tired

college doesnt allow knives. i fully stand by that rule, but it's awfully annoying when im trying to cook something that requires cutting like chicken, garlic, or cutting up a tomato. hoooowever......i think i found a suitable solution: a PIZZA CUTTER!!!

1. a pizza cutter doesnt scare me as much as a huge knife does.
2. a pizza cutter is cooler.
3. a pizza cutter probably wont chop of my precious little fingers.
4. did i mention a pizza cutter is cooler?
5. works just as good as a scary knife.
i know...good idea right?!?! :)

**

Thursday, July 5, 2007 3:36pm
dont tell mom the babysitter's dead
Current mood: amused

Today is my day off. granted i have had the past 3 days off, this by far has been the best. I spent the first two days off with jon jon. he's a friend from college. we went to my sister's CI performance in new hampton, drank some uv blue, called people, watched taking lives, ate cinnamon roles and pizza, and went to walmart for an adventure. Much fun :) Yesterday i headed down to belle plaine to visit gangles, another friend from college that is going to a different college, and pardon me while i go cry for a second. I was out in the sun for about 5 hours without sunscreen yet i did NOT get burned. woot. that made my life. But today.....today was....has been....and will continue to be.....the best day off ever.
I slept in til 11. am. niiiiice. I got dressed without taking a shower and i still look pretty decent. niiiiice. i went to walmart to buy some food and movies. cheap movies. niiiice. i made goulash (i am now overfully full....not so nice). Those cheap movies have also made my life. dont tell mom the babysitter's dead is a classic!! I used to watch that movie all the time when it was on tv way back when. then i made deviled eggs because they are soooo good. you've got mail is now playing and i have a date with all my female coworkers to have little slumber party in 4th center of Farwell. we'll be pulling all the mattresses out of the rooms, watching little mermaid i believe and people will bring food. I will be making a cake :). so niiiiice. oh and i forgot. big brother starts tonight! what a fantastic day

oooh and ive been drinking soooo much water today. this means that Vanessa is hydrated!!! woot.

**

Saturday, June 23, 2007 6:32pm
i'll have an order of wink-winkers
Current mood: cynical

I thought of a really amusing thing to say in a blog earlier, but all i can remember of that little conversation in my head was the fact that i found my perfectly normal functioning phone charger in my garbage. how it got there, we will never know.

Makes me wonder about myself sometimes....

**

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 9:58pm
rule #1: no squishing during the movie
Current mood: sleepy

soooooo vanessa was super hungry for the last 3 some hours of her work shift. this resulted in the following survey taking. enjoy. and then go eat something. like peas. and then i also watched more gilmore girls. be sure to watch season 4, disc 2, episode 1. i about peed myself laughing :)

Food and Drink and What You Think
EITHER/OR--Pick One:
McDonald's/Burger King/In-n-Out: homecooked please
Mountain Dew/Sierra Mist/Sprite: ew
Dasani/Aquafina/Evian: aquafina
Trident/Dentyne/Crest: crest
Almond/Peanut/Cashew: peanut butter
Dark Chocolate/Milk Chocolate/White Chocolate: milk chocolate all the way
Sobe/Gatorade/Powerade: give me some H2O
Lays/Ruffles/Pringles: pringles
Toast/English Muffin/Croissant: toast, but thats very rare. i eat too much pasta to eat toast

OTHER QUESTIONS:
What will you absolutely forever refuse to eat?: id have to go with onions. i love the taste, but the texture and the whole biting through onions really gets to me. ive been trying for years to eat those damn things

The most disgusting thing you've ever eaten?: mushrooms/cream of mushroom. makes me gag just thinking about it

The longest you've gone without food or drink?: a day at most? i dont do well without food

Sweet, salty, sour, bitter, spicy? Which one(s) you like?: im always in the mood for salty. sometimes sweet and sometimes spicy as well

MORE QUESTIONS:
Do you watch cooking or food shows?: all the time. top chef, rachael ray, take home chef.
Do you know how to cook?: ive got a few skills
When did you learn how to cook? If you haven't learned, would you like to?: i learned how to make pasta LOOOOOOONG ago. im guessing late elementary school
What did you last eat for breakfast?: 2 bananas and a couple glasses of water.
What did you last eat for lunch?: Tomato Basil Raviolini soup. sooooo good
What did you last eat for dinner?: chicken noodle. the caf was super gross today
Or do you not follow those silly meal patterns?: i do. and then some on occasion. im a hungry girl
Would you rather eat alone, with strangers, or with friends and family?: definitely with friends and family. i love laughing at meals and thats really awkward with myself or strangers :)
Would you say you have good table manners?: for the most part. i chew with my mouth closed. that good enough?
If you have pets, do they ever get table scraps?: i dont have pets. but id say that they probably would. wasting food is bad news
Ever eaten dog/cat/other animal food?: nooooo thank you
First thing you usually feel like eating when you wake up...: scrambled eggs. or pasta :) never fails
Do you chew gum? If so, how often?: not usually, but when i do have gum, i chew a lot of pieces. it's better that i dont
Health food or junk food?: both. life's too short not to eat some junk food every once in awhile
Organic or not?: weeellll i prefer not having nasty looking spots on my food, but organic just seems like a good thing to do
Are you vegetarian?: never ever.
At this point in time, what is the one thing you wish to eat?: velvetta macaroni.

FINAL QUESTION:
Vegetable of the Year?: peas.

**

Some things never change :)

I'm a big kid now!

It's crazy to think how fast this year has gone.  I remember driving to Chicago on Monday, January 25th like it was yesterday.  We were driving through the city looking for the Hotel, but kept turning on the wrong street and of course I started worrying about arriving late.  And then I got really upset knowing that I'd have to leave Gary. Fast forward over 100 days and I'm back.  It's just so crazy!

I moved back to Decorah May 6 after a wonderful lunch with the ATHENA staff.  Oh how I miss them.  I had so much fun (I mean I worked a lot ;)) while I was there and I really miss working with everyone.  The only reason why I am not sad is because I jumped RIGHT back into my usual routine of working and then working some more. I don't, however, miss living in Chicago.  I spent so much money on silly things!  I have a wedding to save for! Oh and then I need to save for an apartment and start paying off my loans....Bummer.

Since I've been back I have worked a lot at the Hotel Winn.  I am a little nervous to be an event manager because it's such a big responsibility, but I am up for the challenge.  Funny thing is, my first solo supervising shift just so happens to be for the Governor of Iowa.  Let's hope I don't screw anything up!

As far as the wedding goes, there are some fun updates :) First, I booked my photographer!!!!  Sackett Photography for March 26, 2011.  Perhaps you can tell what is most important to me ;)  My goal for the rest of May is to book the reception and ceremony sites.  And instead of having a dinner/dance, we will now have an earlier ceremony and have a luncheon.  I see no need in spending lots of money on big meals (with most of it wasted because it's too much) and a dance/alcohol when I would much rather have the night to myself and Gary.  I can still make a luncheon classy and respectable.  Now I just need to get the Hotel Winn on board...

Oh and I graduate from college in 5 days.  That's kind of a big deal....

LA Candy

Today marks the 3rd day of complete Hills domination.  I haven't been able to stop watching the show.  I'm obsessed.

In other news, I do believe the person who cut my hair was on crack.  I got approx. 5 inches off and asked for layers.  It's a bit short, but all is well because it stillllll fits into a ponytail (thank god!).  However, when I finally got around to blowdrying/straightening it, I noticed a few things that only someone on crack would have done. 

1.  the two sides are not exactly the same length, but it's only noticeable to me.

2.  the layers are ALL over the place.  I should have said I wanted a uniform look and only .5-1 inch layers.  My fault...

3.  There is an underneath layer of hair that is a good inch shorter than the outer layers of hair.  Wow.  Who does that?

All in all, I'm fine with my hair cut because it was free, but honestly, hair is hair.  It will grow back and I will cut it again.  I just hope it looks decent for graduation and engagement pics ;)  We shall see.

Lastly, I googled how long it would take me to get home if I walked.  3 days 15 minutes.  Gary, see you in a few!

Now back to the Hills.

Welcome to the Oelrichs Household

Thanks Chicago for welcoming me to my new home in the city.  Apparently, the whole city of Chicago thinks I need a haircut...

After coming home from work today, I did as I usually do, grab the mail.  In it was something for "Welcome to the Oelrichs Household".  That's definitely a new one.  I'd seen Vanessa Delrich and Vanessa Qelrich but never Welcome to the Oelrichs Household... ;-)

I only opened it because it looked like there might be some sweet deals inside.  But no.  What is the first thing I see?  YOU NEED A HAIRCUT!  Do I really need one that badly?  Unfortunately, I do.  I haven't gotten my hair cut since the beginning of August.  How terrible is that???  It's entirely too long.  Even though the entire city of Chicago hates my hair, at least it's free!

On tap for tonight?  Nothing.  I have zero motivation once again.  On tap for the rest of the week? Update my resume and cover letter, class, a job workshop, BILLY ELLIOT!, Race to Wrigley....that might be it...Oh, finish my SENIOR PAPER!  YAY!  I am so excited to have that out of the way.

Tootles from the Oelrichs Household ;)

The Plan of Chicago

I am supposed to be writing a 5-page paper on that very subject but I cannot for the life of me find my notes from my reading of the book that I made probably 3 weeks ago.  HOW FRUSTRATING!  And to make matters worse, I'm having great difficulty finding the motivation to do homework right now.

It's due tomorrow.  As are a 9-page journal and 15 minute presentation.  At least the other things are done, right??

My problem with getting things done at night is honestly because I can't keep thinking critically on homework after 3pm.  I just cannot do it.  There may be very few nights out of the year that I can be productive past that point.  The day I was working on my senior paper was one of them.  I can't remember a time before that that I was able to.  However, I can sit and write this blog no problem.  Crazy how that works....

--

Something else that I was thinking today was how excited I am to go home.  Not because I want to leave Chicago or ATHENA, but because I can't wait to be able to smile at everyone I pass.  It's not in my nature to look down all the time or stare straight ahead.  I like to see the people on the street and see who I walk past.  I can't be that friendly here though because I'd be more broke than I already am and god knows what else.  I also cannot wait to be back in a community where people don't walk around smoking.  I HATE THAT!  I probably already have lung cancer. 

LASTLY, Gary comes this weekend! i.c.a.n.n.o.t.w.a.i.t.f.o.r.t.h.e.c.u.b.b.i.e.s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or him :)

oh to be in love.....

Love is such a funny thing.  Sometimes funny, sometimes annoying, sometimes ridiculous, but ALWAYS amazing.  No matter what's going on in my crazy brain, I know that Gary and I love each other and when I've calmed down and stopped being ridic, we'll be fine.  :)  Sorry for being a crazy psycho!

Besides doing absolutely NOTHING for the past couple of days, I was soooo very busy this past weekend.  It was the ATHENA leadership summit!!!  It was extremely crazy to be honest.  I felt like I didn't sit down for days.   It went really well though for our attendees so I hope they couldn't see how crazy it was behind the scenes :)  My favorite part: the white chocolate cheesecake with the prickly pear and mango puree. to. die. for. amazing.

I also finished my senior paper rough draft #89878776578923 on sunday morning. it felt GREAT!  Let's just hope it meets the requirements this time :)

Lastly, I can't stop craving chipotle chips and salsa.  love it.

Tubs Unite!

I have eaten SO much lately. EW.

That, however, is not what I will be blogging about tonight.  This is for the recap of yet another amazing weekend+ with Gary Spice :) (March 19-23)

I was so beyond happy that Gary could stay for more than a weekend.  It was nice to have him around and live our lives together for a couple more days :) (I know, super cheesy and ridic. I don't care.) It meant a lot to the both of us and our relationship could not be better.  Here are some pictures of our awesome adventures:

RAINBOW CUPCAKES were the BEST idea ever.

The most awesomest picture ever :)

Heels over Head

I miss marty's.

Marty's is the only place in the entire universe where I can write a paper of epic proportions.

Somehow sitting in my tiny apartment, in my freezing bedroom, wrapped in my 3 quilts and in a sweatshirt simply won't cut it.

My goal for today: write 9 pages of my senior paper. I will report later on the progress :)


PROGRESS REPORT -- DAY 1
3:33pm = 5 pages down. Saaaaweet. Time for a break til 4:45p....
5:48pm = 7 pages down.  I'm still chuggin along. Choo Choo... (right, Gary) ;)
6:22pm = 7.3 pages down.  I'm not giving up but I may be done for the night.  I'm at a good stopping point and will hit the big kahunas tomorrow. Now perhaps I'll do some laundry....

-30-

It's a new day!  My goal for Sunday = FINISH!  My life depends on it.  No, Gary's does :) (Thanks for the motivation); another good note, I'm starting a whole 3 hours earlier today.  That should mean something...

PROGRESS REPORT -- DAY 2
8:33am = still 7.3 pages down. Let's see how much damage I can do now
9:49am = 10 pages down!  woot.  Time for a break :)
2:25pm = 12.5 pages down.  this last component is HARD!  I had to sort and sort again and THEN start writing.  My goal is to have at least 15 pages by 4:30pm.  I WILL SUCCEED! and then perhaps I'll hit 17 by the time I got to bed...
3:46pm = 15 pages!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm hungry.  (early dinner? Yes please)
7:57pm = 16.25 pages (I should have made my goal 9 pages for today ;))

The wonderfuly awkward "L"

Public transportation is amazing.  I LOVE IT to be quite honest.  I don't have to worry about having a car or bike or walking everywhere in crappy weather.  And being a student allows me to get it SUPER cheap.  $90 for unlimited rides every single day until May 9.  How sweet is that?

However, the "L" is creepy and awkward.  Very much so.  I take the red line to work every day and because it's only 3 stops away, I never sit down.  But this creates an especially awkward situation when it is completely crammed with people.  Because of my height, I often find myself staring at someone unknowingly... Oopsies.  I am the type of person, though, that will look everyone in the eye and say hi or smile and I find it very difficult not to do that on the train.  People on the train, however go out of their way to look at anything but and when you do lock eyes with someone, it's incredibly awkward.  You don't want to make it seem like you were staring but most times that's just simply how it appears.  And I am short enough where it can be quite difficult for me to focus my attention on something other than on a person.  That's just where my eyes rest.  It's sometimes really hard to have to strain my head up or down, especially after a long day.  I'm too tired to have to stare at the floor or the silly ads on the ceilings.

Despite how awkward public transportation tends to be, I do love it and would hate to have to travel around Chicago without it.

One less lonely girl....

GARY IS ON HIS WAY HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am one very happy girl today, but for sooo many reasons.

1 - I had to wake up super early so I could babysit for the cutest baby in the entire world.  I had my alarm set for 4:45a so I could take my time and not be late.  Of course, there have been several occasions where I set my alarm and sleep through it or fail to turn it off silent so I am always terrified that I will miss it.  So despite waking up every hour in anticipation, I woke up BEFORE my alarm thus being able to turn it off before it woke up my Tabitha and her boyfriend.  Who cares if that meant me getting my rear out of bed at 4:30a...

2 - I truly despise my shower but today, for once, it was actually pretty decent.  It was the perfect degree of hotness for me and only spiked me with searing hot water once for a split second.  It was delightful.

3 - I was so quiet while getting ready, no one even stirred in their sleep :)  I'm so proud of myself for being so quiet.

4 - Like I mentioned before, I got to babysit for my boss's 6 month old baby girl.  She is the cutest, sweetest, adorablest little peanut I have ever seen.  She was a bit fussy this morning so no outside stroll but I don't care.  She's that cute. Even when she cries.

5 - It is sunny with a high of 64 degrees. sweeeet.

That's about it until Gary arrives. I've been a complete pile because I'm too lazy to do anything else.  :)

I wish I was Irish.

So what have I been thinking about lately?  My lack of control to simply let go. 

I am so uptight about knowing exactly what I'm doing at every moment, especially what I'll be doing tomorrow, or next week, ooooorrrr next semester.  I cannot stop thinking about this summer once I am a college graduate.  Luckily I have two jobs already lined up.  But these jobs have an end.  When the summer is over, so are these jobs.  What will I be doing after?  NO CLUE!  This is the very first time in my entire life where I have absolutely no flippin idea.  This is terribly frightening.

One thing I do know is that I will be with Gary.  No matter what happens, he will be right by my side.  Going through this experience has shown me I am no good at long distance and I will never ever ever ever ever do it again.  That being said, what if I get offered a job or find a job outside of Decorah sooner than we expected?  I'd be crazy not to take it right? The current state of the economy doesn't really allow me that flexibility anymore.

I am trying my very hardest to let it all go.  I know deep down that everything will be fine.

On a happier note, here is a list of 10 things I want to accomplish when I am here in Chicago:

1. Go to an Irish bar
2. Run in a 5k
3. See a Cubbies game
4. Consider grad schools in Chicago
5. Go to a bar or restaurant alone or with a new friend
6. Run outside!  (I have this subconscious fear of it…)
7. Go to the Lincoln Park Zoo
8. Enjoy a festival of some sort
9. Bring friends to *Second City* because it’s just that amazing
10. Discover a park and spend an afternoon there

Blah Blah Blah

Someone was Ms. Productive ALL day today!  Yes, that would be me :)  I somehow managed to read all of my left over senior paper readage so now I can finally move on to writing it!  My goal is to have it completed by March 26 and I WILL be successful.  (it helps that I have 23 pages of typed notes...)

This past week went by so fast!  I had a lot of work left to do with Summer Housing (14 interviews in 2 days) so that kept me fairly busy.  There are so many good candidates that it was really hard to choose between them.  Once I get the go ahead and we finally hire people, I Know it will be a great summer.  I am so pumped!  NO MORE OVERBOOKING! Not on my watch :P

Tabitha and I did end up going back to McFadden's on Wednesday.  Why?  $2 cans and $.25 wings HELLOOOOO!  We had the same bartender too and he's so awesome!  I got a free can and yes...another shot.  But I swear no more poor choices were made.  The shot was actually pretty good this time too.  Something with orange juice in it...

I also got a slight cold on Wednesday morning but somehow, by Saturday it was G.O.N.E.!  sweet.  Speaking of Saturday, I went to McFadden's yet again for the keg and egg's.  Never again will I do that.  Who needs to be drunk at 9a?  Not me.

I've also been using Elaine's wii Fit plus.  I'm losing weight!!!! Not that I really need to but who doesn't like to be skinnier? I'm now at 120 :)  My goal is to be somewhere between 110 and 115.  That'd be nice.  Also, to become better prepared for my 5k at the end of April, I will be starting a new running work out starting tomorrow morning. I am so excited!  By the date of the race, I will be able to run 30 minutes no problem.  Sounds like a great plan to me :)

making bad, bad, very bad decisions is no fun

I vow NEVER to watch Grey's drunk ever again.


Last night was a bit of an adventure.  One that I had not expected and one that I wish I could take back.  I like simple nights, no spinning and going to bed early.  It was but any of those things :)

I got home from work at about 6:15p and made a quick tortilla pizza for dinner before heading out for the art event at 7p.  My roommate had a beer so I thought, "I want to pop a bottle too!" So I had one.  It all went down from there... Soon after the conversation about our weekend began.  My roommates wanted to go out but I knew that I didn't want to nor did I want to spend the money to do so.  However, it soon went to going downstairs to McFadden's for one drink before greys.  That I could handle.  Thus, we headed to the bar.  I fully intended to buy a beer but somehow allowed myself to become seduced by the $5 martini menu. NEVER AGAIN!  I don't do vodka.  ew.  I am a beer girl through and through.  After another beer and a free shot from the bartender, I was more than okay.

We made it back upstairs at about 8:20 but no worries. We had DVRed (?) the show.  I tried to watch the show but at that point I was getting the spins.  I really hate the spins.  I was fine but couldn't lay down which is what I really wanted to do.  I'd at least go to bed early ;-)

I did manage to go to bed early but whenever I drink what I did, I wake up early at the crack of dawn.  5:15 this time.  Damn.

Now I am rewatching grey's and OMG! It's back!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Everyone is funny again!  I can't believe I almost missed that...

Two valuable lessons:
1. Spontenaity is not for me.
2. Don't drink martinis. or free shots.

zumba!

I had the most semi-productive weekend.  yes, I said semi-productive. I got a lot done but I also pooped around a lot which left me procrastinating on the things that actually needed to get done. story of my life...

On Friday i did my first batch of laundry since ive been here.  Two loads!  that's it!  Niiiiiiiiiiice.  I then thought I lost a book that I borrowed from Chicago Semester so I spent a good part of my day trying to find what was in my backpack the entire time. I then proceeded to read the book all day Saturday.  I also went swimming for the first time in years.  Let's just say I was a little rusty but it was a good workout.  Then on Sunday i went to a ZUMBA class!  It was soooooooooo much fun!  I would do that everyday if i could.

Lastly, I have committed to running in the Race to Wrigley 5k.  I am soooooooooo beyond excited. I'm not much for running but I have wanted to run in a 5k for so long.  Now's my chance.  It's on April 24th so hopefully it will be nice out. I have also started a fundraising page for the race and I am so surprised by the response already.  it's such a huge motivation push as I don't want to disappoint.  Thanks to everyone!!!!!!!!!!!

LET'S LOSE WEIGHT!

I now have only 70 days left in Chicago.  How strange is that?  I'm 1/3 of the way done.  I can't say that I'm really upset by that.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Chicago and my internship but I miss Decorah.  I miss bigger kitchens and nicer showers and knowing people when I walk down the street.  And not spending everything when I go out.  And I miss Gary.  I miss having him around.  This talking on the phone or aim thing just doesn't cut it.  Good thing we will never have to do this again. ever.

The past two weeks seem to have gone by sooooo fast!  I have been busy with homework and ATHENA and art events, etc, etc.  Gary came to visit last weekend as well.  To say that it was amazing is an understatement.  Being away from him for 3 weeks was honestly the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with and I cried way too much. We didn't do much as far as exploring the city but that didn't really matter.  Saturday was a big day for me because we had our progressive dinner, which in this case meant that there were 3 apartments that had appetizers, 3 for entrees and 4 for desserts.  I had a budget of $75-100 to make an entree for 20-25 people. And let me just tell you, I dominated that budget.  We had (by estimation of course) about 40-45 people come to our room and we only spent $80.  Hells yes.  Gary helped out A LOT by making the salad, which was delicious!  It was a simple caesar salad but it was great.  I made the main dish which of course was the pastina chicken bake that Kendra and I made at Luther.  We made about 6x the original recipe and it was SOOOOOO GOOD. the entire hallway which is like a city block long smelled amazing.  And I think about 90% of the people who tried it loved it.  People now know me as the engaged girl who made the pasta.  I don't even care that they don't know my name.  They liked my food! I really loved being a part of the dinner and hope that I can do that again sometime.  Perhaps the summer housing staff would like this...

Nothing too exciting has happened this week but I did go to an art event at the Lifeline Theatre, Mrs. Caliban.  It was a realllllly good play.  It was heart wrenching even though there was a man as a green monster in it.  I recommend that everyone either read the story or go to the play :)

Oh and today I went swimming!  I haven't swam in YEARS.  literally.  But i went because running has been hurting my knee a bit.  It was so much fun but i need a workout to follow....I kinda look like an idiot....but at least i got a workout out of it ;)

Now all I need to do is all of my hw.  bummer.

Let's go to the Mall.........TODAY!

Today has been the laziest day EVER!

Elaine and I were social for once last night = Howl at the Moon piano bar with sweet ass deals.  We took some pictures, drank a few drinks, attempted to talk to ppl (it was soooooo loud!)  Overall it was a lot of fun but we left at around 9-9:30 to watch Sex in the City at the apartment.  Always making poor life choices, we both grabbed some more alcohol on the way.  It's not that I had too many but it was having so many without much food in my system.  Silly me didn't eat much thinking that the beer would fill me up.  Was I just born?  I'm such an idiot because today, the day I was hoping would be the most productive, has gone to complete laziness.  Even now I feel slightly hungover.  Ridic!  I did manage to read 10 pgs in a book, but that is honestly the first and last productive activity of the entire day.  What a waste.

Tonight should be fun though.  Elaine, Tabitha and her boyfriend Matt and myself  (& perhaps some others) are going to meet up at the Signature Lounge in the Hancock building to watch the fireworks and then head to the Cheesecake factory for dessert. Mmm Mmm Mmm.  I vow to take some pictures.

Now if I can only manage to put some make-up on.....


wish me luck ;)

keep yo hand off my momma, keep yo hand off my doritos.

I'm PISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSED at the state of Illinois.  Very, very upset.  More upset than I've been in a really long time.  I mean legitimately peeved.

Why? They won't let me get my alcohol.

More precisely, Jewel, at which I buy all of my Chicago groceries, would not accept my ID which clearly states that I am 22, almost 23 years old.  Yet, because I have not gotten a new ID, it still says "Under 21 until 9/13/08" on it.  My ID doesn't expire until 9/13/10 so why would I go out and get a new one?  And why given that I am OVER 21 YEARS OF AGE do they NOT accept my ID?  Who knows...

I instead stomped over to the liquor store and got me some beer.  Thank goodness.

Now I can watch the SUPER bowl with my blue moon in hand. :)