Catching Up

So a lot of blog worthy things have happened since my last post but I've failed to blog about them lol.
Around two weeks from now I will be starting classes and attending freshman orientation at BC (CUNY Brooklyn College). I'll be commuting there this semester (:P).. which is a bit of a battle lost but like most things, and hopefully for all the things that follow, I'll strive to make the best of it and be open to a good turn of events.
The commute is on the longer side but I'll look to it with an adventurous spirit. My brother got me a great new timbuk2 school bag. If you haven't heard of them they are notable brand that specializes in bags for commuters and students. They are a little pricey compared to, say, something you probably used in high school, but they are supposed to be quality, utility, and very durable with a hint of the creative/artistic. Mine is pretty cool looking as it was customized. It's the classic, medium size, messenger bag, model.
Besides that, I also got a, Takeya brand, glass water bottle. Again, a little more than some people would spend on a water bottle but I thought it would be a good investment because it's BPA free, environmentally friendly, chic looking, and doesn't effect the taste of the water (as plastic and stainless steal bottles do) which I'm pretty picky about. Plus, I really did need something to take with me to school. One downside, though, is that it's a little bit heavy.

Alright, back to events.!
On the 10th I went to my registration appointment at BC. I got photo student ID card as well as my schedule for classes, and bill for the semester. The damage wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.. actually tuition (after financial aid) cost about as much as I thought it would but I was still relieved to see the amount on paper.
It was a little over 1,000 dollars which is still nothing to scoff at but I think I've received Christmas presents that added up to more or the same as that.

I was a tad disappointed that there wasn't much socializing at the registration day. When waiting in the library for things to start, the other students didn't talk to each other. I thought about saying something but didn't and at the time I wasn't completely sure that they were all incoming freshman until later on.
At the end, I did manage to say 'Hi' and introduce myself to one girl when we were sent to another building to complete our registration. Her name was Carlina and she seemed really friendly and nice. I definitely regret not initiating contact with her sooner as well as not taking any contact information from her before I left.!

Sigh, time is going slow/fast motion right now. I'll be starting at BC in about two weeks but right now I just feel static, waiting. I'm going to pay my tuition after I call the financial aid office about the status of my FAFSA verification. I might actually qualify for a Pell grant (really hope so).
On the other hand I really hope nothing goes wrong and that they don't end up taking away any of my aid or something. I'm also going to inquire about the work study program. I don't plan on keeping my job at Pier 1 (much to my mother's dissatisfaction) but I'd like to work on campus, to earn money, but to also be more involved in the school and have more reasons to spend time there.
Really need to spring clean my room!

Flex This

My work is getting very unreliable. I keep getting flex shifts in which I have to wait around all day to see if I have to go in at all. Not to mention I went from working 30 hours to 1 - 2 days a week. In the beginning less hours was a nice respite since I didn't like my managers but now I really need the money and these complete flex shifts are an inconvenience because I need to see people and go places (i.e. visit colleges and meet up with certain people). I would find another job but I would only be around for less than a month and a half. *Sigh so annoying.

Plus my mom wont shut up about it! You're not helping woman.. Why are you complaining about MY job? You don't even drive me there. I swear, she just likes to complain. I mean.. what does she think she's doing for me by carrying on the way she does about it? Nothing. Not that she ever thinks of what she's doing to me. >.>

Tr*sha Eggs

My manager smells like eggs!!! T___T It's already bad when people don't like you but then you smell literallly tooo.

Waves of Unpleasantness

I don't think I like working at Pier 1 anymore.. = ( and I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm going to get in trouble.. well I have reason to believe that I will.

It sucks because I really just got a good hang on things.. and it's not the actual work that's bad or troublesome it's really just the annoying change in management. I seriously didn't have much in the way of problems before besides the occasional irate customer.

Not to mention, it's not as fun as it used to be... I don't see the people I like as often and the assistant managers that were there before have left. Both of them had a lovely sense of humor, were considerate, flexible, and good with customers and what they do.

I mean I know I should cut the new ones some slack but they are really weird to work with and have odd temperaments among other things. Thinking to myself now, I realize I wouldn't be complaining about them that much but I'm realizing how much they're behavior affects the tone of my work day.. (which hasn't been all that good lately..) The same goes for the new store manager. I hate when she is there.

I dunno. It's just been wave after wave of unpleasantness and I don't get paid that much so, although I could use the money, it's not that big a motivator.
....
However I know well enough that there are much worse places to work than Pier 1, even the way it is now, so for now that's keeping me there. Maybe I'll pick up an application at Barnes & Nobles though..

Tr*sha

The new regime under the new store manager is really annoying. That woman is awkward and condescending and she reminds me of my dad's crazy ex-wife. If you didn't think things could get more irritating at work...they definitely can.
I dread doing closing with my manager and any of the new assistant managers now = ( Two out of the three times I was stuck with them they made me stay late. *Sigh we were just fine before!

Work is going ok *knock on wood*. I'm still a little worried about my college applications because those aren't done yet (the essay part). I'm also having trouble 'budgeting' sort of because I want to allot so much money to school and to life savings that I don't have any money left over for myself.. but there are some things I would like to get.. while I do have some income of my own.. because I might not when school rolls around.

"If you strive to be RICH: Then you should pay yourself 15 - 20 %"

So, I've been thinking about savings accounts again.! And after I buy my 32gb Zune I will start putting the bulk of my earnings away. I'm seriously considering using ING Direct savings, American Express, or Discover.

My problem is, although I want Discover and their 1.10% APY, they have a $500.00 minimum to start.. which I don't think I have.. and even if I do, they have $50 minimum deposit which I don't know if I could keep up with. Ideally I'd like to save over 10 years.. $50 dollars weekly. But since I'll be going to school I don't know if I'll have a job or a way to get that money. Same problem if I wanted to put $100 a month into savings although it's not impossible to do if one was working.

I really want to be consistent with savings and not miss 4 years of savings while I'm in school.

ING Direct and American Express have a %1.00 APY which isn't horrible at all, plus no minimum and I think no fees. One of those or something like 'Ally' bank would probably be more ideal.

3:45 - 8:30

UUUUGHHH I HAVE WORK TODAY! WTHHH!!!!!!!!! T___T *Sigh...........

Savings

I got this offline and will hold it near and dear to my heart. It concerns how much of your paycheck should go towards savings (what percentage).

* If you strive to be DEAD BROKE: Then you should spend more than you earn

* If you strive to be POOR: Then you should spend everything you make, and always talk of saving “some day”

* If you strive to be MIDDLE CLASS: Then you should pay yourself 5 - 10% gross income

* If you strive to be UPPER MIDDLE CLASS: Then you should pay yourself 10 -15%

* If you strive to be RICH: Then you should pay yourself 15 - 20 %

* If you strive to be RICH ENOUGH TO RETIRE EARLY: Then you should pay yourself greater than 20%

Painless

Hmm.. I'm not interested in jinxing myself or speaking too soon but work has gotten a lot better. It's probably because I have learned more and don't have to ask for help quite AS much. I was kinda slow today though so I better remind myself not to be a slacker! Working 5 days this week.. hmm hope the monies is sizable..

Second Post Of September

I noticed that I'm writing more lengthy posts now. That's interesting. I hope I don't jinx it! I also found a check someone gave with more than decent amount of money on it. I'm glad I have more $$$ to fill up the bank with! I'd really like more mulaaa.. I wonder when I will get paid / how much I will get.

Anxiousness

I feel very anxious now. Almost like when I have too much caffeine! It might be in part because I don't know when I'm working this week, what my hours are. There's a place where we (the employees) can check it online, which I think is really cool, but there's nothing on there yet. I have a feeling they just might ask me to work tomorrow though.

I hung out with my dear friend Che today! We had an odd but overall good day. I decided that I might try transferring to S.U.N.Y. Binghamton (she did too) and I'm still looking at other schools. I had originally planned to just graduate from whatever C.U.N.Y. or S.U.N.Y. school I got into but now I'm considering making plans to transfer to something else.

But who knows what things will be like!! I'll really just have to go, and experience, and see. I still have no freaking clue what my major should be or is gonna end up being.

Really anxious/restless right now.. maybe the tea I had had more caffeine than one would think. Agghhh..

My feet hurt! I really need new shoes for work. I think I would have a better experience there if I did. The ones I wear now are comfortable initially and look good with the rest of my work outfit but I'm going to get tired of this store fast if I don't find some other ones.

Tomorrow I don't have work, plus today we got hot water and electricity, so I'm gonna console myself by catching the new episode of true blood and whatever else electricity and hot water let me do!

Hurricane Irene pt.3

So things are mostly fine here after the hurricane. There are some fallen branches, debris, and tilted trees around but nothing serious. I was told the front and back [of the house] had been flooded (i.e. street, backyard). My house is also mysteriously overrun with gnats.. (annoying). We haven't had electricity since we got back from New Jersey and we wouldn't have any until Friday or later if we hadn't bought a generator today. 

I had my second official day at work today and I have concluded that I need new shoes to wear there.. I am also embarrassingly bad at math (i.e. change) and doing 'returns' at the cash register >.> But other than that I think everything is fine.

I GOT A JOB AT Pier One Imports! It hasn't sunk in yet that I HAVE A JOB!!! *takes notes* remember to bring calculator from home and fill out emergency contacts sheet. Also, I'm starting next week Monday, Tuesday and Thursday but.. I should call soon and see if I have work Monday (on account of the hurricane). I also went to Kohls today. I now know what non shitty jeans are like! (Thank you Vera Wang) and got some good stuff I think, two interesting tops.. and a cool pair of a pajama pants. Definitely am going back.

JOB PROGRESS (Pier 1 Imports) Pt.3

So apparently they called yesterday and somehow I missed it because a lady turned up on the answering machine, from Pier 1, when my mom checked it this morning.. Damn.. good thing my mom actually chose today to fiddle with the answering machine (we never use the new one). That sucks though because if I had picked up the call yesterday I could have gone shopping with a friend today! I turned her down because I thought I'd have to sit and wait for this call. Hmph.

Oh well, at least I got the job! (a 'job offer', he said). I don't think it pays particularly well but there is trans there, almost round the clock, and it's cheap. Also.. beggars can't be choosers and etc.

When I called back they said the lady I needed to speak to wouldn't be in until 2pm. They took my cellphone number so I think they will call me, if not, of course I'll call back.

Hmm.. hope this all goes well!

JOB PROGRESS (Pier One) Pt.2

So I went to my interview on Friday and it turned out to be a group one which was something I was actually hoping for all along..weird coincidence. I think it went pretty well and that I stood out amongst the people that were there. There were four of us, me being the only girl which was surprising because they're target demographic is women.
Anyway, like I said, I thought it went pretty well and the store manager, Jason, I think, said we'd know by Tuesday if we're hired. If we got a call then 'yay' and if not then 'no hard feelings'. Which is fine by me but.. I really hope I get a call! The only downside is that the pay is pretty eh I think. But hey, beggars can't be choosers..

JOB PROGRESS!

YAY Today someone called me to make an appointment for a job interview @ Pier One Imports! (home furnishings/ decorating store) I'm happy. I hope I don't fuck it up! And it's actually somewhere pretty to work..

Need the enthusiasm back!

I wish I could get excited about going to college again. Maybe after I get a job and do/accomplish some other things I wanted to I'll be able to feel more so.

*BAHAHAHA sob.

Still don't have a job damnit or a reading list. This life I've thought up needs to start in on some places.