Some random encouragement for the new year :-)

I’ve been doing Jillian’s 30 day shred workout videos lately, and I started thinking about something. You know how when you do a workout video the host is always so crazy upbeat and positive, always throwing encouragement your way? The same stuff they say can work well in “real life,” too. When life gets absolutely shitty, almost everyone has thoughts of giving up. “I can’t do this, I can’t take it anymore” (...basically the same thoughts I have while Jillian is kicking my butt every morning).

I mean, life is infinitely harder than any workout video, and most of the time we want to take the easy way out instead of pushing ourselves. So many people end up living out a life which they don’t love or don’t want, simply because that’s the path they think they are on. But think about it—- the same motivation you apply to get through a tough workout can help you on a larger scale. Being your own cheerleader can help you to stay determined in your life choices and not give up when something seems impossible. This is true everything, but especially true for finances too! If you have a bad day or week where spending is pretty intense, don’t be tempted to throw in the towel or get too discouraged! Remember your plans and remember how good it feels to pay down debt or watch your savings grow. Since we don’t have life coaches, we have to give ourselves (and each other) the encouragement. :-) So if anyone is feeling low, stressed, or overwhelmed, remember to push through, be strong, and believe that you can do it!

Merry Christmas!

Hi all, just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas! We just finished our little shindig with the fam. It was a successful year as far as presents go- I think everyone liked what I got them... although we did have a big of a problem with my mom's gift. She bought the exact same Wii game for my dad that I bought for her! But it's ok, it made everyone laugh and we can always exchange it for something else. My parents got me a new ipod nano, which I'm totally in love with. It's green and shiny and cute and takes videos! I can't wait to play around with it more once it's done charging. My mom also bought me the new Burt's Bees acne line, since my visit to the dermatologist's office wasn't so successful the other day ($215 for a tube of cream-- no way I can afford that!). I seriously hope it works. Everything else was mostly clothes and books, which are also needed and loved. And tomorrow it's off to my uncle's house for more presents and food! Hope your holidays are going well too!

Frustrated

I got my car insurance bill for Geico today, and my premium went UP, not down like it usually does-- even though I haven't gotten pulled over or a ticket or anything! I called them today and they said that it was because the town where I live has become a greater risk area. I'm not quite sure if that is complete bullshit or not, but I just have this awful feeling that they completely dicked me over and I did nothing but accept it. Sometimes I get so mad at myself when talking to these people on the phone for not being pushier. I call and it usually doesn't accomplish anything-- actually come to think of it, I've mad three similar phone calls to other people in the past few days and they didn't change anything. I'm feeling kind of down now, just because I hate feeling like I am a pushover...

Roommate Drama!!

Last Friday we got our lease renewal letters in the mail, and on Saturday morning my roommate came to talk to me about it. She decided she wants her boyfriend to move in here, which basically means I'm out. I wasn't mad or anything, even though I love this apartment and would like to stay here, because honestly-- I saw it coming. He practically lives with us now! It's just annoying to have to find a new place and move and stuff, and I was kind of hoping they'd move out and find their own new place together.

So anyway, cut to Monday-- EVERYONE in the department is talking about us. I guess she went running her mouth off to everyone about how mad I was at her (I only told the boy and my best friend here), and everyone else was mad at her for "kicking me out without a legal right to do so." Seriously, people were calling me over and telling me how I'm such a pushover and I should fight her for the apartment and all this crap, and she came home crying last night because people were saying mean things about her. I mean, really??? It's not worth it to make enemies over an apartment! Plus I absolutely hate drama of any kind and always stay out of it, but now somehow I'm stuck in the middle of the drama of the semester!!!! Argh!