Work

I have been in the internship for over six months now. i have learned a lot and gained valuable knowledge. I'm keeping pretty busy compared to when I first started. I really like being in-charge of running the center. It feels good to have something that you are responsible for. I take great pride in making sure everyone has the best experience at TCE. Now that I have my feet wet per say, I would like to manage a much bigger facility. I never knew what my calling for life was going to be; like most, I felt "lost" when It came to what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. But, I think I may have found it -being in-charge and and running the facility is fun, rewarding, and a different experience everyday. Also, good money can be made in facility management.

I really always to hate to harp about money, but I just want to give my kids and family what I didn't have growing up. I never want to have to worry when will the next check come in so I can afford to buy diapers or clothes etc. Having a lack of money puts SO MUCH stress on a family and a relationship in general. Money was the main reason why fights started at my house when growing up. I just don't want my kids to worry about that.

To get back on point, I feel that the Internship has been a great experience and is really preparing me for my career.

Tahoe

I'm going to Tahoe for the 4th of July weekend with a bunch of people, and for some reason, I can't get excited for it. I just feel that compared to what I just came back from(NY and Bermuda) it won't be nearly as fun. Call it the post vacation blues, if you will.

I just picture tons of drunk 21 year olds going out of control and trying to fight everyone. Hope I'm wrong.

I found out what an engagement party is

This weekend was quite busy for me, I had "game night" on Friday, an engagement party on Saturday, and my sister B-day party on Sunday.

Anyways, I'm happy to say that this weekend was really fun. My favorite part was hanging out with my family and friends on Sunday night for my sisters BBQ; it reminded me of camping.

I'm realizing how important it is to have happy, stable people people in your life. When you hangout with losers their bad traits start to rub off on you. I used to have no problem hanging out with Jason all day (not saying he is a loser but our goals our MUCH different), now more than 20 minutes, I get really bored. I wish I could light a fire under his ass and make him a productive human being.

Introducing The Grey Ghost

I FINALLY got my new car, well new to me anyways. I decided on an 05 Toyota Corolla with 66xxx miles on it, but if you know Toyota, you know that's hardly any miles at all really. The car is so easy to drive and everything works perfectly, a huge change compared to the "Red Dragon." I actually enjoy driving now, and I'm looking forward to the many road trips that I foresee in the future, Idaho bound???

I have named him the "Grey Ghost" despite Kristin's hate for the name.

I GOT THE JOB!!

After months and months of waiting the California Endowment has hired me. I will be working full-time M-F! The position is only a year, but I hope to make a lot of contacts and really get to know the non-profit industry. After the year I hope to land a permanent spot at a non-profit and buy a house.

Eureka!!!

I have figured out a way that I can realistically buy a house in the next 1-2 years. The main problem when going to buy a house is that pesky down payment. Realistically, I am looking for a good starter home that will run for about 150,000ish. I have money in a 401k, but if you take out money early (before 60) you get killed in taxes and penalties. What is the way around this you ask?

Step 1: Move the money
Tax the 401k money (15%) and open a Roth IRA. You can fund a Roth IRA up to 5,000 per year. I would fund 5,000 this year (before April) and put in an additional 5,000 next year. There are no penalties for withdrawing funds from a Roth IRA as long as you don't withdraw earnings. Closing cost's factor in to be around 2,500-3,000 additionally.

Step 2. Re-funding the retirement fund.
Thanks to the first time home buyer tax credit, you can receive a 8,000 credit when you file your taxes. That 8,000 would go directly back into the Roth IRA. SWEET.

So there you have it, I get the money needed for down payment, and my retirement fund doesn't take a huge hit.

I am going do the major remodeling work on the house and Kristin will be the decorator.

Waiting......

I THINK that I may have gotten hired for an internship downtown, but I have not heard back yet. I am really hoping that I get this job because it pays well and it's really rewarding in the fact that you get to work for a good cause. I can't wait to start a job and get my career going. I think it would be awesome to work downtown. On my lunch breaks I would have so many different places to go eat and check out. I cant wait.