done with school...

It's official...I have made the last payment on my student loans! And, even though my burden was a lot smaller than many of my fellow alum, I feel a sense of accomplishment.

My BF and I have argued at times about whether private universities are worth the money. I usually go with the argument that private universities are often able to provide financial aid in ways that some state schools cannot. Perhaps I feel that way because my university was very generous in helping me pay for my education, largely through private grants. I was also fortunate enough to get work-study as part of my aid package. These factors made NU very reasonable for my parents...Who, thankfully, only made me take on loans in my final year of school.

So, this week, I get to cross off one of my new year's resolutions and say good bye to my month loan payment. It's like I've graduated all over again!

i'm gettin' a kitten...

Woohoo! Last year around festivus, I told my BF that I wanted a cat. At that point we had been living together for about 8 months. We were still working out the kinks of where things go, what we could get rid of, etc...you know, still settling in. We both decided that even though it would be cool to have a pet, we didn't have space for the essentials that we would need.

Since then, we've discovered that there is cat that lives in our back alley. Our downstairs neighbor feeds the cat and brings it into his apt every once in a while. So, over time, the cat has become very friendly and will come talk to us whenever we hang out back there. I think that being around this cat has warmed my BF up to the idea of getting us our own!

So, this festivus, he said he would get me my own cat. I'm really excited! And, it's funny, he's being a little more particular about what cat we get. He definitely wants a kitten, and he prefers to get a Siamese. So, this weekend I'm going to take down the Christmas tree and start "cat-proofing" our apartment. I'll probably spend the next couple of weeks reorganizing some of the closet to make room for things that are usually out on the bookshelves and desk.

where has the year gone?

2004 is almost over...It has gone by very quickly and with little pain (compared to last year). The highlight of my year was the trip out to Cali to see college friends, including 2 days in Napa. I wish I could take a trip like that one every year...my own little vacation club.

I'm really looking forward to 2005. I have settled into my job and feel comfortable with the direction that things are heading. I feel like I can move forward with a lot of things I want to do in my private life now that I don't have to worry about looking for work. My relationship with my BF also remains strong...having made it through 18 months living together.

I have started thinking about resolutions for the new year. There aren't any lofty goals of making myself a better person or bring peace to the world. (Not that I don't want to do that too). This year, my resolutions read more like a to-do list. There are a few things that I have been wanting to do for the last six months, and they are there as a reminder. There are also a lot of mundane tasks/purchases that I want to make sure happen. So, for 2005, I hope to:

1. maintain my weight at ~125lbs
2. begin taking yoga -- I hope to go at least once a week
3. pay off the remaining balance on my student loan
4. save $3,500 -- It may seem like a small amount of $, but it's better than no savings
5. pay off all credit card debt
6. close unneeded/unused credit cards
7. join stitch 'n' bitch dc...i mean actually go to their weekly gathering
8. buy a new mattress
9. clean and organize my closets...this is an on-going effort.
10. take on a few sewing projects
11. stick to my yarn diet
12. visit nyc...it's been a year since my last trip north
13. redesign blog(s)
14. sign up for first-time homebuyer education...
15. buy a new computer...already done!
    
    

It seems like a lot of things to think about. I believe that everything on that list is "do-able" in 2005.

old maid vs. spinster...

These titles seem to have a similar connotations. Is there any difference at all? More importantly, when do you get these titles? Are still considered an old maid if you're in a long-term relationship just not married. What do you call that? 'Cos it seems that I'm heading in that direction.

My BF's sister recently got engaged to her boyfriend of about 2 1/2 years. On one hand there is some relief...At least for a little while we won't have to be pressured by his mother into getting hitched. But, it does make me think about where I want my own relationship (of nearly 6 years) to go.

I know I want to get married, but I don't want to make a big deal about it. And, I don't want to go broke paying for it. My BF says that he wants to get married, but doesn't feel like he's financially ready to take the plunge...At the rate he's going he may never be "ready." What's a girl to do?

Part of me wants for have this "phase" of my life in place by the time I turn 30, but I know that is a silly goal to set. Well, I'm going to let this one simmer for a while...

did you miss me?

Doubt it...Well it's been a long summer. But, now it's turning cool, which makes me very happy. I'm glad I live in a part of the country where you see a least 3 distinct seasons.

I'm still on the South Beach...and holding steady. Last month, I had out-of-town guest two weekends in a row and a trip to western michigan. It was really hard eating out so much, but I did the best I would. It seemed like I was really good Mon - Thurs, then slacked off over the weekends. So, I kind of lost and gained and lost the same 3 pounds throughout the month. But, I'm holding steady at 128.5 this week. That puts me 1.5 pounds away from my original goal! Depending on how that goes, I might adjust my goal down to 125 and then move to Phase 3.

I'm glad I started this over the summer. I've formed some pretty good habits over the last few months. I'm finding some good recipes on how to make "comfort foods" that don't load up on pasta and potatoes. Hopefully, I'll be able to move into the colder season without piling on too many extra pounds. And, by the holiday season, I should have this way of life down to a science.

Oh well, I'm still around...

i broke 130 today...

So, today was the day for my mid-week weigh-in. Imagine my surprise when I saw 129.5. I was surprised simply because I feel like I've been eating very badly this week. I don't think I've had enough vegetables and a little too much starch. But, I guess somehow it worked for me.

Now I'm 2.5 lbs away from my goal. I'm really excited but I'm also trying to decide whether I should try to get down to an even 125. I know that I'm slimmer because all of my clothes are starting to hang on me...(This weekend I'm buying a new belt)...But, I'm not in the shape that I was hoping for. Once I get my goal weight I'm going to sign up for a yoga class. It's something that I've wanted to do for a while and I think it would be the perfect reward for the effort I'm putting in.

Anyway, I'm faced with another challenging weekend. I never really celebrated my BF's birthday (which was the 11th) because his mom was in town. So, we're going to make up for that this week. Also, I have a friend coming in town for the weekend. I think I will be alright when it comes to food choices, but I know I'm going to have way too many drinks.

still shrinking...

I know it's been a while since I've checked in. I haven't ditched the SBD. I'm stuck in a bit of a plateau so have been trying not to harp on it. I know it will take a while to get the last few pounds off, so I'm going to be patient and just stick to the plan. Today I'm at 131 lbs and I feel great. I have planned out all of my dinners this week. That way my BF can help with the cooking. And, I have plenty of snacks and fruit to take to work.

This weekend, I went out for sushi. I know I'm not supposed to but I had the sushi rice, it was well worth it! Saturday we had Thai...I had a couple of beers. Also worth it. What can I say? I'm not perfect. Hey, what's the point of being on a diet and changing my daily eating habits if I can't have a "treat" every now and again?

The one cool thing that I've noticed is that I don't get as bloated around this time of the month. I used to get on the scale and see it jump up close to 5 lbs, but not this month. I think the scale may have climbed 1.0-1.5 lbs this time around.