My Big Decision

Today is the day.

Friday the 13th, 2012.

I have officially written to The University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH to see if they can defer my acceptance for a year.  Which means....

I have decided to find an awesome full time job with benefits for at least a year, and to get an apartment in Barre, VT with Rosie!!!

I'm so excited!  I can't wait to find my financial foothold as a real adult and to finally be able to feel financially independent from my family!  I'll be able to afford my own things, my mom won't be stuck with my bills as well as hers anymore, and it'll just be much better for everyone, all around.  =)

I have been applying for jobs like a crazy person.  Hopefully one of them (a few, preferably) will want me and be willing to take me on.  I'd love to find at least one, but it'd be nice to have a choice, as well.  "The starting median salary for a social worker [is] $33,400" (http://www.socialworkersspeak.org/media/nasw-responds-to-article-on-worst-paying-college-degrees.html).  That's a $676 paycheck every week (before taxes), which is $17.41/hr if you work a 40 hr week.  I mean, according to the article it's 'supposedly' one of the worst paying college degrees, but $17/hr is more than I've ever been paid in my lifetime.  Clearly, I will be very excited about this kind of paycheck.

I'm also SUPER EXCITED to start my first ever apartment hunt!  Luckily Rosie is also looking for a new place to live right now, so we're trying to find a nice 2 bedroom and split all the costs for rent/utilities/etc.

Probably what we'll have to use for furniture at least to get started...

I can't wait to start my real adult life and to live in an apartment which for the first time, I'll finally be able to afford!  AHH! 

Please wish me luck in all my endeavors.  I have a lot to learn and get used to as I get ready to embark on my new life path, so I'll need all the well-wishing I can get!

My goal is to get moved into a nice cozy apartment (with heat included in the rent price) before the snow flies in Vermont.  If you have any advice please leave it below!

I'm Poor.

Ah, Ramen.  We've all fallen into your grasp at one point or another.

My apologies for lack of a more creative title for this post.  I'm very stressed lately because of how broke I seem to continue to be.  And there's no light at the end of the tunnel for at least another 2 years-once I can complete my Master's in Social Work degree and FINALLY MAYBE start my real life as a fully grown, financially independent adult.

I still have about $300 more worth of textbooks to purchase, an estimated $300 parking pass to purchase and that's not including my $70/month phone bill and $40/month credit card bill, or gas for the car, oil changes, etc.  You know, basic life stuff.  And the thing is, I really don't actually have that many bills.  Just phone and credit card-and my credit card payment is really cheap (because I have a Discover Student Credit Card which gives me a credit limit of only $500-thank God).  My problem is that I don't have enough money to feel comfortable making my monthly bills.  There literally aren't enough hours in the day for me to work enough hours to make enough money to feel really truly secure.  

I just want to live comfortably.  I'm not looking to become a millionaire and hoard my millions of dollars away from society forever.  I want to spend a little to have fun every month, get by on bills, and still have enough extra to put away in a savings account just in case of a huge life emergency.  I REALLY don't think I'm asking for a whole hell of a lot.  Unfortunately I need to take out $80,000 in loans to get my Master's degree which will help me get an adequate paying job in order to support myself for the rest of my life.  

What's even more stressful is that my family isn't able to help out at all with grad school.  They've already done so much to help me get through undergrad that they're pretty much tapped out.  I feel bad that I'm part of the reason they're so strapped right now, but I also really can't help it that society has deemed it necessary to not only have your high school diploma, but a college degree (Master's preferred in most cases) in order to get a job that will sustain you.  

I'm really starting to resent the Capitalist system.  The 'survival of the fittest' or 'each (wo)man for his/her self is ridiculous.  We're all human, we're all in this together.  Everyone needs to make a living, everyone needs to survive.  Collectivist societies have the right idea, I think.  I'm just so sick of America and how the poor and downtrodden continue to be trodden upon regardless of how hard they work, while rich floozies can sit on their laurels and become famous for being dramatic idiotic a$$holes.  In WHAT society does that make sense to anyone?

I'm seriously considering moving to Canada once I have my Master's.  I want to check out Toronto, and some of the other fun Canadian cities.  After a few years, I'd like to apply for citizenship and be free of America while I try to make a comfortable living for myself.  I refuse to be forced to eat Ramen for the rest of my life (as good as it tastes occasionally-when you're not having to LIVE off the stuff), and I refuse to be swallowed up by student loan debt for the rest of my career-track life.  I want to be a healthy, happy person.  I don't deserve the short stick.  Not this time.

Love you all.  Hope life is treating you the way you deserve to be treated!

Have any of you ever visited Toronto, moved to Canada, or know someone who has?  I'd love to hear your stories!

From my brain to yours,

-Megan

Stream 3: A Proposition

I was talking with Ashley recently about plus size fashion and how frustrating it can be for me to go shop for new clothes.  Pretty much my entire wardrobe comes from Lane Bryant.  This isn't inherently a good or bad thing-but obviously it severely limits my style, choices, and affordable options.

I would enjoy looking through and shopping at a Torrid or Forever 21 (F21) Plus, but those don't really exist in Vermont.  Also, Torrid is in about the same price range as Lane Bryant, which means my family (mom and gram, specifically) buy pretty much all my clothes for me.  We're always in the store together so I can still get the clothes I pick out, but I can't wait to be financially independent and able to afford to buy my own clothes.

Smaller women have so many more options on where to shop.  This allows them the freedom to create their own sense of style, dress how they want to be perceived on any particular day, and have the flexibility in price ranges.  Not so with plus size women.  Bodies come in many different shapes and sizes.  Why should those of us who are bigger be left out of the fashion world because smaller women are more readily accepted as be beauty standard in society?

As it stands, unless you want to dress in bulky unflattering sweats purchased from your local drug store or wear skin tight clothing 2-3 sizes too small, you better have the money to afford the $50-$100 price range for a typical, average piece of clothing.  See?  Things can get pretty desperate.

So--I propose a revolution.  Plus size women and designers, gear up and take Fashion Week by storm next year.  Let's team up with some other INCREDIBLE designers and find or INVENT new cuts that make us look smokin'.  A-line, empire or high-waisted dresses do not always fit plus size women the way that they are intended to flatter smaller bodies and frames.  Let's get creative, think outside the box, and make something incredible for the plus size ladies.

Let's not be defined by our limitations.  Let's dress the way we want, the way that brings out our inner beauty, our inner strength.  Let's make plus size clothing and fashion affordable.  And lastly, let's remember that every body is beautiful.  Every woman deserves the chance to showcase all the beauty that her body holds.

From my brain to yours,

Megan

Stream 2: My Little Ottoman

As I sit and think about heading off to grad school this fall, I inevitably find myself thinking about what my everyday life will be like.

What is my room going to look like?  How am I going to decorate?  What will I store in my perfect little ottoman now that I no longer have to hide my alcohol from campus security?  (The dorm I will be living in is a 21+ dorm, so it is okay to drink privately in your room with the door closed).

An ottoman is such a perfect furniture piece.  It functions as a stool, a seat, a footrest, and as storage (if you have a hollow one with a removable top).  I will be living in a single in Babcock at UNH in the fall, which means I won't have a lot of space.  I'll need to maximize storage whenever possible.  Lofting the bed to move other furniture pieces underneath is only the beginning of creative storage.  Knowing how to maximize your vertical space is key.

For example, purchasing vertical hanging boxes for your closet space can help you get your shoes off the floor, store those extra bulky winter sweaters, or keep some extra office supplies in an organized, out-of-the-way place.

Additionally, a standing plastic tower that fits under the bed is perfect for organizing and storing medicines, undergarments, or extra make up and jewelry so these items don't clutter the larger drawers in the dresser that is assigned to you by the college or university.

As wonderful and clever as these other pieces are, nothing beats my little ottoman.  It can be a great hiding place as it simply looks like decor or functional extra college kid seating.  While I'm not sure what I want to store in it next year as of yet, here are a few ideas of mine:

• Snacks
• Extra notebooks/stationary/office supplies (frees up clutter on the desk)!
• Handbags I'm not currently using
• Shoes
• Extra sheets/pillow cases/out-of-season scarves
• Decorations for each season/holiday to keep my room festive
• Scented goods for the room/air fresheners

How do you creatively store things when living in such close quarters?  Where are your best hiding places?

From my brain to yours,

Megan

Stream 1

Because I suck at finding inspiration to sit and write about, I decided to get started with a stream of consciousness piece.  Here it is:

I believe everything happens for a reason.  Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.  One door closes, another opens.  Insert a multitude of other such cliches here.

Often it is hard to see past the negative aspects to this crazy, dramatic thing called life.  One word has hardly ever held so much room for interpretation or emotional turmoil.  Some see life as a blessing or gift, others as a curse.  How is one's lot in life determined?  Why do bad things happen to good people?  Is Karma broken?  Is Karma real?  The human race has often wondered about its place in "the grand scheme of things", as they say.  Are we alone in the universe?  Does a god preside over all of creation?  And what does that say about those who choose to believe in such a power that may or may not exist?  What does that say about atheists?

Are humans meant to be strictly logical creatures, living as empirical scientists?  Are we meant to be intuitive, emotional creatures--living passionately and without law or governance?

Many say that in order to survive you must be able to adapt.  Why is it then, that little pebbles survive longer on this terrestrial planet than living people, who are always searching for self-improvement?  The adaptability theory seems flawed.

These are big questions about life and the human experience.  I don't know the answers.  Maybe I'm not supposed to.  Maybe I can't; human comprehension only goes so far.  We don't even know how to use the entire capacity of the brain's ability to function and process information.

All I really know is who I am and how I experience the world around me.  I live both passionately and rationally, I believe in Karma and I believe that there may be some power, god(s) or goddess(es) in the universe overseeing the grand scheme of things--making sure that the balance of the universe is always in check.

I do not, however, believe that this is an excuse to lay back and let the pieces fall where they may.  All humans have power in that they can make decisions.  If you want your life to be different, then have the courage to make the necessary changes.  Be an active participant in your life.  If you want something, go after it!

Sometimes even after putting in all that hard work things will not go the way you envisioned.  You know what?  That's okay.  It wasn't time for you to go down that path yet.  You have more to learn and more experiences to obtain before taking that path.  Have faith in your life.  Believe that you are exactly where you are meant to be at exactly the right time (even if "exactly the right time" means you are currently 10 minutes late for work).  Things happen for a reason.

Live your life the way you want.  Do the things you want to be remembered for.  Be fearless, and love and respect yourself.  Never stop learning, never stop growing.  Adapt if you need to, remain stagnant if you want to.  The possibilities are endless.

From my brain to yours,
Megan

First Week Back

Ashley showing school spirit by wearing copies of the latest edition of our school newspaper, The Current.

Left hand blue?

This picture is stunning of all three of us!  (Me, Ashley, Cassie).

Kitchen party!

Ashley and I looking adorable.

I successfully survived my first week of my last semester of college!  Whoo hoo!  My classes are mostly so-so, so far.  Hopefully I'll develop more of an affection for them as we move further along in this semester.  Unfortunately senioritis has definitely set in starting from Day 1, so I'll have to stay strong for the remainder of this school year.

Ryan will be joining our party tomorrow when he comes to move back into UVM!  I miss that boy, so that will be fantastic.

All but one of my textbooks have gotten to me in time for class, so I'm waiting patiently for things to get in order.  I have also been selling my textbooks on half.com.  Can I get a HOO-RAH for extra cash?  :D

In other news, my fish are all still alive and doing fairly well.  My plan for when my guppies, Killer and Diana Ross die, is to go to Walmart and get a new set of 5 and create a new bond with new family members.  <3

I don't have much else to report except for that I'm poor and waiting for my refund to come in from the school.  Ryan is going to help feed me over the next few weeks until I have money to go grocery shopping again.  (I love that boy.)  :)  Well will make it through!

What has your first week back to school looked like?

Textbook Craze (Updated 1/14/12)

It's about that time again.  When you have to frantically find the cheapest option for textbooks for the semester, while trying to make the most amount of money possible selling your old textbooks to other students who want them for cheap.  Whew!

My textbooks for my last semester of college are going to cost around $250.  Not fun.  :(  I'm also selling about 44 books (both textbooks and young adult fiction/paranormal romance) on half.com.  My username there is megan.goodell so if you want to look me up and see what I have for sale, please do!  I have pretty reasonable prices listed for the condition of the books I have for sale, so you should definitely check me out.  :)

In case you aren't able to search by username on half.com, I'll list the books I still have available to sell below.  If you are interested, please comment below with which book you're interested in and I'll let you know the price I'm offering for it and what condition my copy is in.  :)

1. Essentials of the Living World by George Johnson and Jonathan B. Losos (2009, Paperback): George Johnson (Paperback, 2009)    SOLD!


2. The Silk Road: Two Thousand Years in the Heart of Asia by Frances Wood (2004, Paperback): Frances Wood (Paperback, 2004) 


3. The Transformation Of American Religion by Alan Wolfe (2005, Paperback, Reprint): Alan Wolfe (Paperback, 2005) 


4. The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy (2006, Paperback, Reissue): James Ellroy (Paperback, 2006) 


5. The Silk Road Journey With Xuanzang by Sally Hovey Wriggins (2003, Paperback, Subsequent Edition): Sally Hovey Wriggins(Paperback, 2003) 


6. The Analects by Confucius (1979, Paperback): Confucius (Paperback, 1979) 


7. Blood and Guts: A Short History of Medicine by Roy Porter (2003, Hardcover): Roy Porter (Hardcover, 2003) 


8. Capitalism by Paul Bowles (2006, Paperback): Paul Bowles (Paperback, 2006) 


9. Impulse by Ellen Hopkins (2007, Hardcover): Ellen Hopkins (Hardcover, 2007) 


10. Life Entrepreneurs: Ordinary People Creating Extraordinary Lives by Gregg Vanourek and Christopher Gergen (2008, Hardcover):Christopher Gergen (Hardcover, 2008) 


11. Religions of the West Today by John L. Esposito, Darrell J. Fasching and Todd Lewis (2008, Paperback): Todd Lewis (Paperback, 2008) 


12. How to Survive Your Freshman Year: By Hundreds of College Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors Who Did by By Hundreds of Heads (2009, Paperback): By Hundreds of Heads (Paperback, 2009) 


13. Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers by Kwame Anthony Appiah (2007, Paperback, Reprint): Kwame Anthony Appiah(Paperback, 2007) 


14. Monkey/Folk Novel of China by Cheng'En Wu (1994, Paperback, Reissue): Cheng-En Wu (Paperback, 1994) 


15. Fugitive Denim: A Moving Story of People and Pants in the Borderless World of Global Trade by Rachel Louise Snyder (2009, Paperback, Reprint): Rachel Louise Snyder (Paperback, 2009) 


16. Song Quest: The Echorium Sequence by Katherine Roberts (2002, Paperback, Reprint): Katherine Roberts (Paperback, 2002)


17. Chakra Clearing: Awakening Your Spiritual Power to Know and Heal by Doreen Virtue (1998, Paperback): Doreen Virtue(Paperback, 1998) 


18. The Only Wiccan Spell Book You'll Ever Need by Marian Singer and Trish Macgregor (2004, Paperback): Trish Macgregor(Paperback, 2004) 


19. High Wizardry by Diane Duane (2001, Paperback): Diane Duane (Paperback, 2001) 


20. Incubus by Janet Elizabeth Jones (2010, Paperback): Janet Elizabeth Jones (Paperback, 2010) 


21. Magickal Mermaids And Water Creatures by D. J. Conway and D.J. Conway (2005, Paperback): D. J. Conway (Paperback, 2005)


22. Teen Witch: Wicca for a New Generation by Silver Ravenwolf (1998, Paperback): Silver Ravenwolf (Paperback, 1998) 


23. Lilith's Dream: A Tale of the Vampire Life by Whitley Strieber (2002, Hardcover): Whitley Strieber (Hardcover, 2002) 


24. The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century by Thomas L. Friedman (2007, Paperback, Updated): Thomas L. Friedman (Paperback, 2007)  SOLD!


25. Realm of Shadows by Heather X. Graham (2002, Paperback): Heather X. Graham (Paperback, 2002)


26. Witching Moon by Rebecca York (2003, Paperback): Rebecca York (Paperback, 2003) 


27. Hell's Heroes by Darren Shan (2010, Hardcover): Darren Shan (Hardcover, 2010) (Mine is a paperback).  Was listed incorrectly somehow.


28. Under Town by Charles Ogden (2006, Hardcover): Charles Ogden (Hardcover, 2006) 


29. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (2006, Paperback): Eoin Colfer (Paperback, 2006) 


30. Classic American Ghost Stories: 200 Years of Ghost Lore from the Great Plains, New England, the South, and the Pacific Northwest (1990, Paperback) (Paperback, 1990)  (Mine is a hardcover).


31. Weaveworld by Clive Barker (2001, Paperback): Clive Barker (Paperback, 2001)


32. Death's Shadow by Darren Shan (2009, Paperback, Reprint): Darren Shan (Paperback, 2009) 


33. Witches Incorporated by K. E. Mills (2009, Paperback, Original): K. E. Mills (Paperback, 2009) 


34. Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh (2010, Paperback, Reprint): Mary Balogh (Paperback, 2010) 


35. Wizards at War by Diane Duane (2007, Paperback, Reprint): Diane Duane (Paperback, 2007) 


36. Wizard's Dilemma by Diane Duane (2002, Paperback, Reprint): Diane Duane (Paperback, 2002) 


37. Social Work Practice And Social Justice by William S. Rowe and Karen M. Sowers (2006, Paperback): Karen M. Sowers(Paperback, 2006) 


38. People Skills by Robert Bolton (1986, Paperback, Reissue): Robert Bolton (Paperback, 1986) 


39. Encyclopedia Of Haunted Places: Ghostly Locales From Around The World (2008, Hardcover) (Hardcover, 2008)


40. The Amulet Of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud (2004, Paperback, Reprint): Jonathan Stroud (Paperback, 2004) 


41. Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer (2000, Hardcover): Joan Bauer (Hardcover, 2000)


42. The Golem's Eye  by Jonathan Stroud.  Paperback.


43. Soulstice by Simon Holt (2009, Hardcover): Simon Holt (Hardcover, 2009) 


44. Understanding Digital Culture by Vincent Miller (2011, Paperback): Vincent Miller (Paperback, 2011)