Goodbye 2009, where I completed my third year of law school, and began my last; where I moved into a cheaper, tiny apartment; where I got my first job as a law clerk; where I bought the iPhone 3GS; where I visited France and Germany; and where I turned 26!
Hello 2010, and law school graduation!! :)
Hope everyone had a fantastic 2009, and has an even more fantastic 2010! Thanks for coming along on my debt journey! Virtual hugs, champagne, and cookies all around. ;)
Thanks very much to my top referrers this year! :) And thanks to everyone who links to me!
My dad got M and I a trip to New York City as my birthday/Christmas present! :) We're going in early February, so it's kind of like a Valentine's Day trip (it even fits in with my 5 year plan! ;)).
My dad did all the planning and booking (plane, shuttle, hotel), so now all we have to decide on is where to eat and what Broadway show to see! Recommendations for either would be much appreciated!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! :) I had a lovely time with M, my mom and sister on Christmas Eve, and M's family plus my family on Christmas Day... but as soon as it was over, my paper became my world. Thankfully, it's finally out of the way, and I can enjoy the rest of my winter break! (If only that break was longer than a week... ah well)
These are the December goals I have left... I've also added a few. I have until next Wednesday to get them all out of the way!
Exercise/Health
I've been battling my credit card debt back with a stick for the past couple weeks... It looks like I'll come out ahead, with about $250 less. That's not much, but considering how often I overspend for the holidays, I'm just glad I didn't add anything.
I'm holding off on making a couple credit card payments until my loan funds arrive in mid-January, and so am holding off on updating my debt totals. I also hope to post a few things on ebay next week, so maybe I can shave off at least a couple hundred more.
I'm meeting up
with family and friends pretty much every day this week, and I have a paper to finish (it was supposed to be done yesterday, but I got sidetracked... it's not due til next Monday, but I know I have to get on it)... so I'm off on another (short) hiatus. See you all after the holiday! For those who celebrate, hope you have a Merry Christmas! :)
I'm actually feeling really good about the progress on my goals this month. :) On the health front, M and I have been working out daily, we've been eating less and healthier, and we've been weighing ourselves daily (and I've been consistently going down! yay). On the school front, I have exams out of the way, and just have a paper left (which I think I can finish in the next few days). The Christmas cards are sent out, and all the presents are bought and wrapped. Once the paper is finished, I'll work on tackling the finance front (selling some purses, updating my sidebars).
This is what I have left to do:
Exercise/Health
Serendipity is the winner of Global Giving gift card! Congrats. :) It's not much, but I'm sure every penny helps! I'm actually always surprised by how little it takes to help feed a village, or start a business in a third world country. As soon as I'm out of debt, I'll make room in my budget for charity. :)
In other news, I'm taking a one week break from blogging to finish my exam and my paper. Can't wait to get that off my back!!
My first (and least scary) final is out of the way. Now on to studying for my last (and most scary) final. And then a 25 page paper. Whoop-de-doo.
I should be finished just in time for my birthday (I hope). The past few years I've had big get-togethers, but I'm not in the mood for it this year. I gave M a list of ideas for places to go (i.e. skiing in Big Bear! (I've never been), Cirque du Soleil show, hiking) but knowing him, we'll probably just end up going to a restaurant. That I'll have to book. Hmph. :p
I've been alternatively feeling very excited to finish off this semester (my second to last!) and very anxious (my second to last?!). I have no idea what's going to happen, job-wise, when I graduate. And I'm very sure what's going to happen, debt-wise (hellooo, $1400/mo loan payments!). I have added anxieties because I'm not entirely sure where I'm going to be living come next June. I don't really want to expand on that, other than to say M and I are still together. And we may still be together next year, and the year after that. But I don't know. Based on a talk we had a couple weeks ago, I no longer feel secure.
Anyway! It's past midnight here, and I'm freezing, so I think I'm going to curl up in bed with a book... maybe that'll drag me out of my funk. :)
Global Giving is a site that connects you with many different charities around the world (listed by type and by region), and allows you to both give donations yourself and on behalf of other people. It also has "giving tools" to help you look-up and create a wedding/baby registry or charitable fundraisers.
I had a work colleague who only gave donations as presents during Christmas, and asked that people do the same for her. I wasn't sure how I felt about it at the time, but now that I'm older, I'm getting tired of "stuff"... and I think I would be really touched if someone donated in my name to a cause (particularly if that cause was women/girls).
If you can take a moment to check out the site, please leave a comment on this post with your favorite charity by Sunday, December 13th @ 12 noon PST. I'll then randomly pick a commenter to win a $10 gift card, which you can apply to that charity! :)
I'll leave you with an article from their site (with some great ideas for truly "good" gifts) --
#1: Something homemade: Free
A particular favorite are Mari's hand-rolled truffles - made with Callebaut fair-trade chocolate! www.callebaut.com/ocen/865
#2: Give time: Free
Find a place to volunteer in your community. It’s a great way to give back in your local area. www.volunteermatch.org
#3: Give a Rat: $36
HeroRATS are trained sniffer rats that detect explosives and screen for Tuberculosis (TB) in Mozambique. HeroRATS can test TB samples and clear landmines faster than their human counterparts! $36 buys a year's supply of bananas for a HeroRAT. www.globalgiving.com/projects/provide-tuberculosis-test-africa/photos/
#4: Give Wheels: $37
Riders for Health enables nurses to visit and care for those in isolated, rural communities across Kenya at risk of dying from preventable or treatable diseases - via motorcycle. Just $37 can buy these nurses a basic set of tools they need to maintain their motorcycles. www.globalgiving.com/projects/provide-tuberculosis-test-africa/photos/
#5: Buy One Give One: $69
Tom's Cordones - One for One. With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. www.tomsshoes.com
#6: Give Giving: from $10
GlobalGiving Gift Card: Give the gift of changing the world - for as little as $10. The cards are biodegradable and recipients can choose the cause they want to support anywhere in the world. www.globalgiving.com/gifts/
#7: Give Power: $50
With $50 you can buy hand tools for volunteers to use when they install a solar electric system in the home of a low-income family in the U.S. www.globalgiving.com/projects/solar-energy-for-families/
#8: A World of Good: Prices Vary
eBay's World of Good is the world's first online marketplace that brings together "people positive" and "eco-positive" sellers and beautiful artisan products in one place, empowering you to shop in ways that align with your personal values. www.worldofgood.com/globalgiving
#9: Give Green: $75
Zipcars are an environmentally friendly, affordable alternative to car ownership. www.zipcar.com
#10: Give Fun: Free
Every kid deserves a place to play. KaBOOM! helps individuals build or improve playspaces in their community with a free step-by-step planner. It's a great way for the whole family to give back! www.kaboom.org
I'm finally getting around to posting some miscellaneous items on Craig's List. If anyone's interested, I have the following (all of which I'm willing to ship):
Epson Perfection 4490 Photo Scanner
Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000
Law in a Flash cards - Evidence, Con Law, Torts, Contracts
Canon Powershot Pro 1 w/case
Chumby
I also have various law books that I'll eventually post on Amazon -
Entertainment Law
Education and the Law
Agency and Partnerships Examples & Explanations
Corporations and Other Business Associations
Problems and Materials in Federal Income Taxation
Understanding Law School (I have 2 copies for some reason)
Finally, I have some manga and novels -
Her Majesty's Dog complete manga collection (vol 1-11)
Valiant and Ironside by Holly Black
I Am America (and so can you!) by Stephen Colbert
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Please email me at debtchronicles (at) hotmail (dot) com if anything looks appealing. I can provide photos and would be happy to answer questions. And feel free to make an offer. :)
I've been mulling the options over, and am leaning towards a nice evening out (with a multi-course meal and lots of champagne! And dancing... though I'll probably just watch :p).
As far as I can remember, M and I always stay in. We've had fun, don't get me wrong, but there's something exciting about sharing the beginning of a new year with lots of people around you. I'd love to include his and my families, but we both have siblings who are less than half our age. I'm not sure if they'd enjoy going out (or if they'd be able to stay up).
Maybe it'd be just as fun (and cheaper) to do dinner out the night before, and continue our stay at home tradition on NYE? Then we can go to sleep right after the stroke of midnight, and maybe I can get up the next morning to go to the Rose Parade!
Have any of you already made plans?
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