On graduation

What is up with the culture of apathy my generation has been fostering? I mean, honestly, when did it become more cool to not care than to have real feelings?

I'm graduating tomorrow and in the last four months so many people have proudly trumpeted the fact that they're not walking at graduation. "I did that in high school, why do it again?" People act surprised that I'm walking, it's so boring, after all. It's just your Bachelors degree and everyone goes to college these days.

You know why I'm walking at graduation and getting photos taken and having my whole come into town? Because I worked damn hard for the last five years to get here and I have every right to celebrate. I don't appreciate anyone trivializing something I've spent thousands of dollars and five years of my life on.

Screw this culture of apathy. I am a passionate person and I believe in celebrating your accomplishments.

Finance!

Man, the longer I'm in this family finance class the more bummed I am that I didn't study accounting or business. I've just gotten so into it, you know?!

Since the beginning of the semester Chris and I have changed lots of different things about our finances. However, the biggest thing that we've changed is how we budget. We sat down at the end of January and really looked at our budget, how well we were saving, and what we spent money on. Up until that point we'd put money in savings pretty regularly but not consistently; we'd spent an inordinate amount of money on eating out, and we were always stretched at the end of the month, trying to figure out how to make it and pay all of our bills.

We stuck to a strict budget all of February and March and April is looking to be on the same track. Let me tell you - it has changed our relationship. We had a conversation about a week ago about how we haven't had a big argument since January and we haven't been stressed about money in the longest time. We now know where all of our money is going to and how much we can expect to have for different categories. We hadn't even realized it but maybe that financial stress was causing tension in our relationship. Without that tension we have been so happy with each other.

The timing of the budget did happen to coincide with when I stopped working in property management, which was an enormous source of stress and anxiety in my life. So perhaps our miraculous change of heart (so to speak) was due to the lifting of that burden. I choose to belief that it's both. The combination of not working in hell as well as being more secure in our finances has made us so much more happy toward one another.

Budgets are hard. But there's a reason all of the experts recommend them. It will change your finances and your relationship. Take my word for it!

#workprobs

That awkward moment when you aren't picked for a promotion despite being a senior and well qualified employee. And weren't even called in for or considered for an interview. And then find out they didn't actually interview anyone or even advertise the promotion. And they picked two employees that have been working there half as long as you and are best buddies with the boss.

Ouch.

A minor disadvantage of love/marriage

There are plenty of blog posts out there that detail the difficulties that marriage and love pose but I haven't found many that address this particular topic. So I'm thinking maybe not everyone struggles with this and I'm just crazy. Either way, it's gonna get written.

I love my husband. He is legitimately my favorite person on this planet and one of my favorite things to do is spend time with him. I married him so that's not super surprising, right? If someone asked me "how would you spend the day if money was no object and the weather was perfect?" I'd straight up say "hang out with Chris and do __________." He's just my favorite.

So here's the epic downside of marriage. You find this AWESOME person that you LOVE being with and want to be with them ALWAYS and... You can't be with them always.

Right? Cuz you have to go to work and you have to go to school (for me right now that is) and some people stay at home while the other is gone so virtually no one gets to spend all of their time with their spouse.

Don't get me wrong, it's super important to have alone time and have relationships with other people. And it's important to be able to spend time away from your spouse without getting needy.

Which I can do! I can be away from Chris and still be super happy! Just yesterday I went on a five hour field trip and had a really great time with my peers. It was super fun, I'm serious. But in the very back of my mind I was thinking that it would be ever so slightly more fun with Chris there. And when I got home I was so happy to be with him again. I didn't mind being away from him and I enjoyed my time doing my thang without him but it's just a bit nicer to be with him.

Isn't that cruel?! I finally have this human I want to be with 24/7 and I can't because we are middle class people who have to work/go to school (not to mention that'd be insanely unhealthy). It's like the worlds way of mocking me.

And it's not funny.

This could totally be a newlywed thing, I wouldn't know.  But man I wish I could just be with my favorite all of the time.

Marriage is so cruel. ;)

Reflections

I heard a song on the radio today that I loved as a teenager. It got me reflecting.

My life has changed so much since I was graduating from high school and starting life on my own. It feels like who I was then is so distant and far away. Yet, I don't feel like I've changed much at all.

Currently in my 9th semester of college.

That sounds like a lot, doesn't it?

My life

Things are okay, guys. Things are okay.

I hate my job, oh gosh I really do. But it's slowed down so much that it's become manageable again. Not to mention that I am in an emotional place right now that I can handle it all. I'm able to forget about it when I go home. And it's so close to being over! Come May and I'm done there!

School isn't bad at all. Two of my five classes are really tough but I am keeping up with it all quite nicely. Lots of homework but it's alright. I don't have the best grade in physics but I couldn't care less, to be honest. As long as I pass. We've been going to the library almost every night and studying a ton.

Financially; things are great. We have savings built up and we are working enough to continue saving, not just tread water.

Our future is still slightly uncertain but not scary. Chris is taking the GRE next month and that's going to be the tipping point of whether he goes to grad school right away or takes a break to work. And if he goes to grad school then I'll work until we start having kids. If he doesn't get right into grad school I'll work until he does get in. But either way we still have doors open for us.

And of course, my husband is freaking amazing and I love him to pieces.

See? Things are okay, guys. Life is okay.