Pinky Promise.

The binding made with a pinky promise goes far beyond the verbal agreement. In my family it is the same as writing your name in blood. We take the pinky promise to a whole other level.

Keeping the family tradition intact, I made a pinky promise to myself (yes you can do that), and of course brought my boyfriend in on it. We promised that as our relationship grows we are not going to be that ‘BORING’ couple. We are going to keep things fresh, exciting and romantic.

It is no lie that relationships take hard work. I started dating as a freshman in high school. Back then that was definitely puppy love…how hearts were easily broken, and new distractions prevailed. My first love was in college. Lasted five good and bad years. It took me until the very end to realize that I can’t change someone to be right for me no matter how much we said we loved each other. And you know what happened? He finally did things he always said he was going to do after we broke up. That alone made me realize we were never meant to be.

A man is supposed to want to be his best when he is with you, and he must take action to prove himself. Same for a woman. She must want to be her best with her man, and prove herself through her actions. You can’t just say “I Love You” and call it a day. Love means taking action, showing the person that you care, that you will be with them even through their darkest hour. Not giving up your love so easily, unless there is none left to hold on to. Take the initiative to have a date night. Keep the passion alive because it sure doesn’t stick around if you don’t use it.

There are going to be times when you can’t even stand to be in the same room together, and that’s okay. Every person is their own individual, and somethings you just have to learn to let go. Try not to be so stubborn in your own ways. Being in a relationship is a two-way street. If all else fails in the moment, a lil’ loving never hurts… just don’t let that be the solution to everything. Communication takes patience and the want to find a solution.

I’ve heard stories and seen broken hearts, my own has been broken, and I have broken some hearts myself. It is an unfortunate circle, but a lesson in life. Through my relationships, I have learned of who I am more than any other experience. When you find the right person, during your best or worst, they will build you up and not break you down. That is a very powerful thing. That is worth fighting for.

Air to my fire.

I realize now after taking a break from writing, and reading my other entries that I only write in my personal diary when I really need it. To clear my mind. It’s amazing how it works, just like meditating. All my random thoughts, heavy thoughts, negative thoughts…

I just thow them out into the universe, and off my heart.

I can breathe now.

Spending like a drunken sailor.

For the sake of accountability, I’m going to throw my financial biz out there. That way I can keep myself in check, and all those of you reading can slap me on my wrists when I don’t follow the plan or give me a cookie when I do!

Okay. I’m going to blame my situation on the fact that I was sucked into credit cards as a college student. Didn’t know or fully understand the scope of responsibility that came with owning a credit card – or for that matter – THREE.

As an official adult – going on 25 years old in March – I really want to crack down and create a plan for my future and financial health. Living paycheck to paycheck is not the ideal situation I want to be in for the rest of my life.

I’m not letting the ship take sail anymore. No more spending like a drunken sailor! I’m going to have to pick and choose what to sacrifice, and for how long. So for right now no random shopping, clubbing, dinners, and outrageous vacations.  Also what was confusing for me is what debt do I start paying down? So I found this Debt Reduction Calculator that helped me start my plan.

My student loan and car loan are the least of my worries. They are my biggest debts, but are investments for my future. My credit cards however are the opposite.  

So from now on I’m going to hide my credit cards at home, and any extra money that comes my way I’m going to use towards reducing my debt. No more random shopping with Christmas or birthday monies! Any overtime work – same thing – going towards reducing my debt.

What I can spare every month, I’m going to split between my three credit cards.

This is what the calculator resulted:

If you pay $278.04 a month, it will take you 2 years to pay off your credit cards.

Based on your current combined balance of $5,692.00, you will pay a total of $1,021.03 in interest.

Oh well, that’s what I get for being sucked into consumerism.

Here’s what to do first

Credit card APR Current balance Month 1 payment Time to pay off Capital 17.99% $702.00 $128.04 6 months Discover 17.99% $4,711.00 $100.00 2 years Visa 14.65% $279.00 $50.00 11 months

I will update every month, and recalculate my debt to watch that interest go DOWN! I’m giving myself a two year deadline.

Cheers to financial health by 2012!

It doesn’t matter what they think.

They don’t get it. You don’t get it. And honestly, that’s alright with me.

I know inside my heart and mind that I’m doing what makes me happy. No matter what it may look like to others or how random or crazy it seems…it’s what I want to do so I’m going to do it.

I have never stepped foot in the Mid-west, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t know anyone in Chicago, but it doesn’t matter.

I’m beyond anxious and excited to see what Chicago is all about. My flight leaves in 3 days! I want to explore it down to the busy streets…up to the bird’s eye view of the thunderclouds.

I’m forever a wandering traveler at heart.

Tom’s got us set up for three games…(this is gunna be funn lol)

Giants vs. Cubs

Redwings vs. Blackhawks

Redsocks vs. Whitesocks

The rest of the time being will be devoted to trying Chicago pizza lol jk Honestly we don’t have a plan, it’s more fun that way…you just go with it. Meet new people, explore new places. That’s why it’s called an adventure.