Thus read my shirt today. I think it is appropriate. I spent today loading up all my shit into my dad's humongous Ford truck. This included my green leather La-Z-Boy, a folding table which shall be my desk, a 26" TV, a wire-basket dresser, and the TV stand (which is more of a nightstand than a TV stand, but it can hold the TV fine). Guess what. We had to lug them up stairs. A dolley is rendered useless by the several flights of mini-stairs littered through the apartment complex, and then my apartment is on the second floor (no elevator).
But, hey, we managed to lug everything inside (we being my dad and me). I was totally exhausted when everything was done, and then my parents are telling me to start unpacking stuff. Yeah right. I'll set out Fiona's food, water, and litter box, make sure my air mattress is pumped up with sheets on it, then I'm setting myself comfortably in my La-Z-Boy with my laptop. Unpacking is for tomorrow, when I'm not wiped out by carrying crap up and down stairs. (We also helped Allison, the former roomy that I'm replacing, carry her stuff out. Today was my earliest move-in date because today was also her earliest move-out date)
Will shall be in tomorrow at 5pm (he's my new roomy this year...and the guy who let me know about this apartment opportunity), so I'm alone for the moment, which means I can rest comfortably and settle in a bit before having to worry about social interaction.
Hm...Monday, I'll head down to campus to apply for a job or two and also settle my class schedule with the advisors. Perhaps purchase books. I also need to be sure to pay the pet deposit before Steve gets on my case about Fiona.
Oh, yes, did I mention? I brought Fiona up with me. She's my cat. I believe I already mentioned stuff about Fiona earlier, but I felt it wise to clarify for...clarification's sake. Right now, she is completely wiped out from the trip, and probably partially from the trauma of relocating to a new home (yes, for cats, a new home is quite a traumatic experience), so she is sleeping on the highest shelf of my closet. She was totally terrified when I first brought her in, so she'd managed to hide herself underneath the sink in the bathroom. I think she'll settle in fine in the next couple of days, though. After all, this morning she was totally sure I was about to leave her again, and wasn't one bit happy about it. Well, she guessed wrong. ^.^
So. Here's to the start of another year at UT. Wish me good fortune, please, for that is what I wish upon all of you.
8/26/2006
Defending Your Life
I just watched an interesting movie with my brother. Rather, he put it into the DVD player and started to watch it, then fell asleep after about 30 minutes, maybe an hour tops.
Anyways, the movie is "Defending Your Life." Odd title, eh? It was made back in '91, but that's beside the point.
It was about this guy who, on his birthday, driving his brand new car, ends up running into a bus head-on, and instantly dies. Yes, this is the beginning of the movie. The rest of the movie is following this guy's travels in...I guess the best thing to call it is a "pit stop" before moving on to what's next. You spend a few days in this place called Judgement City where, you guessed it, your life is judged. This movie goes with the theory that you go through many many lives trying to learn important things before you can go to...well, heaven, the great beyond, whatever ya want to call it. The whole point of this judging, though, is actually rather simple: it's see if you've conquered your fears. Apparently, the whole point of life on Earth, as we know it, is all for the point of preparing people to be "citizens of the Universe" or something, and the most important thing is to have conquered your fears. If it's judged that you haven't, you go back and try again. They look at your life on Earth, at a certain number of specific days from your life, with a prosecutor, a defender, and two judges, and, well, the defender tries to prove you've conquered your fears and can move on, and the prosecutor tries to prove that you have to go back.
I don't want to ruin any of the movie, because I really do think it's an awesome movie that gets you to think, that people really should think of watching. It's not action-packed, it's not got awesome special affects, it's probably even a little out of date. It's just one of those movies that make you think really deep. Okay, it's got a bit of a humorous side to it, and it is, for all general purposes, a romantic comedy, but I like the story to it. It's not the perfect movie, but it gets you to think, and that tends to bring a movie up rather high in my book.
It just...got me thinking. Obviously. Thinking about fear. I found myself thinking about if I would be sent back to Earth, or if I'd be able to go on, the way I am right now. And, strangely, I found myself thinking I'm already capable of moving on. It's a silly thought, I know, because I've got lots of silly little instances in my life where something wouldn't go right simply because I was afraid of something. You people who know me, you know I worry too much about silly things and am often nervous about something stupid. Especially my closer friends from the "Calculus Crew" you know me well enough that you'd be like "No, no, you're nowhere near ready, pal."
I just feel like I'd be capable of moving forward, rather than having to be sent back. I can't really explain it. One of my usual gut feelings that have no basis in fact.
Don't worry, it's not like I'm trying to say I'm ready to die or want to or whatever. I'm not suicidal like that. Maybe what I should say is that I'm not afraid of what's next, in any sense of the word.
Nah, I lied. I've still got fears here and there. But then, I'm not quite 20 yet. I'm not exactly experienced. So, I've got plenty of time to work out those silly fears.
And then I get to thinking, if you put humanity into that kind of context...it makes sense. Everything we do is often out of fear or bravery, in one way or another. Sure, we have wants and desires, but then in between ourselves and what we want is constantly nagging doubt. Should we do it? Is it right? Will it turn out the way I want, or will it come full circle and bite me in the ass? Humans almost seem simple when you think about it like that.
Yeah...I think too much. I'll be going to bed, then, I've got a busy day...today. Oops...2 in the morning. Heh.
Yeah yeah, I'm gonna go hit the hay.
Anyways, the movie is "Defending Your Life." Odd title, eh? It was made back in '91, but that's beside the point.
It was about this guy who, on his birthday, driving his brand new car, ends up running into a bus head-on, and instantly dies. Yes, this is the beginning of the movie. The rest of the movie is following this guy's travels in...I guess the best thing to call it is a "pit stop" before moving on to what's next. You spend a few days in this place called Judgement City where, you guessed it, your life is judged. This movie goes with the theory that you go through many many lives trying to learn important things before you can go to...well, heaven, the great beyond, whatever ya want to call it. The whole point of this judging, though, is actually rather simple: it's see if you've conquered your fears. Apparently, the whole point of life on Earth, as we know it, is all for the point of preparing people to be "citizens of the Universe" or something, and the most important thing is to have conquered your fears. If it's judged that you haven't, you go back and try again. They look at your life on Earth, at a certain number of specific days from your life, with a prosecutor, a defender, and two judges, and, well, the defender tries to prove you've conquered your fears and can move on, and the prosecutor tries to prove that you have to go back.
I don't want to ruin any of the movie, because I really do think it's an awesome movie that gets you to think, that people really should think of watching. It's not action-packed, it's not got awesome special affects, it's probably even a little out of date. It's just one of those movies that make you think really deep. Okay, it's got a bit of a humorous side to it, and it is, for all general purposes, a romantic comedy, but I like the story to it. It's not the perfect movie, but it gets you to think, and that tends to bring a movie up rather high in my book.
It just...got me thinking. Obviously. Thinking about fear. I found myself thinking about if I would be sent back to Earth, or if I'd be able to go on, the way I am right now. And, strangely, I found myself thinking I'm already capable of moving on. It's a silly thought, I know, because I've got lots of silly little instances in my life where something wouldn't go right simply because I was afraid of something. You people who know me, you know I worry too much about silly things and am often nervous about something stupid. Especially my closer friends from the "Calculus Crew" you know me well enough that you'd be like "No, no, you're nowhere near ready, pal."
I just feel like I'd be capable of moving forward, rather than having to be sent back. I can't really explain it. One of my usual gut feelings that have no basis in fact.
Don't worry, it's not like I'm trying to say I'm ready to die or want to or whatever. I'm not suicidal like that. Maybe what I should say is that I'm not afraid of what's next, in any sense of the word.
Nah, I lied. I've still got fears here and there. But then, I'm not quite 20 yet. I'm not exactly experienced. So, I've got plenty of time to work out those silly fears.
And then I get to thinking, if you put humanity into that kind of context...it makes sense. Everything we do is often out of fear or bravery, in one way or another. Sure, we have wants and desires, but then in between ourselves and what we want is constantly nagging doubt. Should we do it? Is it right? Will it turn out the way I want, or will it come full circle and bite me in the ass? Humans almost seem simple when you think about it like that.
Yeah...I think too much. I'll be going to bed, then, I've got a busy day...today. Oops...2 in the morning. Heh.
Yeah yeah, I'm gonna go hit the hay.
8/23/2006
I Feel...Strange...
For some reason, I feel rather odd at the moment. The only thing I can describe it as is...well, it feels exactly the same as when I'd get all depressed about being single and lonely and...well, I'm sure any of you who read my Blog know what I mean, as I've Blogged such feelings and thoughts before. Funny thing is, I'm not having those feelings or thoughts. My body just feels like it is. Well, I do miss Kitiy. It's been a week since we last spoke. I do hope we can talk sometime soon. But...I don't feel quite that lonely just yet. Not enough to mope in my room because I'm lonely and nobody seems to care. Because I know people out there care, especially Kitiy. Yeah, I feel lonely right now...but I'm not really focusing on it. Really, I only feel lonely because the school year's starting again, and my closest friends are going all over. So, at the moment, I've got nobody to hang with but my cats, my family, and myself. And my family's gone most of the day, so...most of my conversations are with myself. No, not the cats. I actually respond with something I understand.
But then, if I'm not having those feelings and thoughts of depressing loneliness, maybe it's just an extreme lethargicness. That would make sense. I haven't been in the mood to do much of anything lately. It could very well be a reaction to the fact that I'm moving up to Austin again in less than a week. An unconscious reaction. After all, I'm supposed to be packing stuff up, planning out the move, figuring out what I'm going to bring and what I'm not, planning what I need to do once I get up there. This is supposed to be a busy time for me. And yet...I find myself just sitting in my chair. My comfy La-Z-Boy chair. On my laptop. Not wanting to move.
Of course...it could just be this incredibly intense feeling of boredom I've been having lately. It's not like I have anything exciting to do around the house all day, ye know. I'm just waiting for this weekend, when I move back up to Austin and into my apartment.
Maybe that's it, right there. A normal guy my age would be going out to hang with "The Guys" one last time. Our last time together before we're relegated to IMs, Facebook pokes and messages, and e-mails. And perhaps the occasional call on the cell phone.
Difference is, I'm the guy who's, probably, shipping out last out of "The Guys." Fortunately, two of them are also going to UT. I guess once I get up to Austin, I'll still be able to hang with buds.
And even not considering Matt and Paul, I'm part of a few good social circles up in Austin. Nothing as close-knit as the "Calculus Crew" and our infrequent poker nights, but I still know some fun and trustworthy people up in Austin. Hey, the ACM got me to jump off a 40-foot cliff, so there's gotta be something good there.
So...I guess this feeling is just that I'm at the downward part of the slope, and I'm not enjoying the initial push to get back up on top. I'll get there. Never fear.
I dunno. Maybe I'm just weird. Maybe this is just one of those usual ramblings of mine where I make absolutely no sense.
But then, if I'm not having those feelings and thoughts of depressing loneliness, maybe it's just an extreme lethargicness. That would make sense. I haven't been in the mood to do much of anything lately. It could very well be a reaction to the fact that I'm moving up to Austin again in less than a week. An unconscious reaction. After all, I'm supposed to be packing stuff up, planning out the move, figuring out what I'm going to bring and what I'm not, planning what I need to do once I get up there. This is supposed to be a busy time for me. And yet...I find myself just sitting in my chair. My comfy La-Z-Boy chair. On my laptop. Not wanting to move.
Of course...it could just be this incredibly intense feeling of boredom I've been having lately. It's not like I have anything exciting to do around the house all day, ye know. I'm just waiting for this weekend, when I move back up to Austin and into my apartment.
Maybe that's it, right there. A normal guy my age would be going out to hang with "The Guys" one last time. Our last time together before we're relegated to IMs, Facebook pokes and messages, and e-mails. And perhaps the occasional call on the cell phone.
Difference is, I'm the guy who's, probably, shipping out last out of "The Guys." Fortunately, two of them are also going to UT. I guess once I get up to Austin, I'll still be able to hang with buds.
And even not considering Matt and Paul, I'm part of a few good social circles up in Austin. Nothing as close-knit as the "Calculus Crew" and our infrequent poker nights, but I still know some fun and trustworthy people up in Austin. Hey, the ACM got me to jump off a 40-foot cliff, so there's gotta be something good there.
So...I guess this feeling is just that I'm at the downward part of the slope, and I'm not enjoying the initial push to get back up on top. I'll get there. Never fear.
I dunno. Maybe I'm just weird. Maybe this is just one of those usual ramblings of mine where I make absolutely no sense.
8/21/2006
Financial Update
Well, my folks decided to just go ahead with the Parental PLUS loan. We could've gone with an alternative through UT Austin, but the only thing we know about it for sure is that it would be deferred until after I graduate, unlike the Parental PLUS loan. Well, this means I have received $20,000 in federal aid for this year alone. Joy. This means I have $10,000 for each semester. I only needed about $4,000 for this semester's tuition. The rest will likely be released to my saving's account at the end of this semester. I could use some of that right now to pay for books, but I suppose it can't be helped.
Sadly, I'm still jobless. I need to fix that ASAP. I have to pay for rent, food, cat supplies (assuming my dad will stop being the "I don't have faith in you" type for once), and loan debt. Well, if possible, save up money for personal expenses. Like the Nintendo Wii that will come out later this year. Like a DS Lite. Like a new laptop. Like a $500 leather trench coat designed like those worn by Organization XIII from KH2.
Ah well. College students can't easily avoid financial problems, it seems.
Oh, also, I recently received a note from my academic advisor. I need to go talk to her ASAP about this issue with not meeting prerequisites for two of my classes. This is why I need to add CS 315 to my schedule, seeing as I got a D in it last semester and need to retake it. Hopefully I'll be given permission to retake it without having to put off CS 310 and CS 336. You have to get special permission to take CS 310 and CS 336 at the same time as CS 315, so I'm wondering if they'll allow that, seeing as last semester I'd done rather poorly overall. That would be a real drag.
Sadly, I'm still jobless. I need to fix that ASAP. I have to pay for rent, food, cat supplies (assuming my dad will stop being the "I don't have faith in you" type for once), and loan debt. Well, if possible, save up money for personal expenses. Like the Nintendo Wii that will come out later this year. Like a DS Lite. Like a new laptop. Like a $500 leather trench coat designed like those worn by Organization XIII from KH2.
Ah well. College students can't easily avoid financial problems, it seems.
Oh, also, I recently received a note from my academic advisor. I need to go talk to her ASAP about this issue with not meeting prerequisites for two of my classes. This is why I need to add CS 315 to my schedule, seeing as I got a D in it last semester and need to retake it. Hopefully I'll be given permission to retake it without having to put off CS 310 and CS 336. You have to get special permission to take CS 310 and CS 336 at the same time as CS 315, so I'm wondering if they'll allow that, seeing as last semester I'd done rather poorly overall. That would be a real drag.
8/18/2006
Or...not...
Turns out Matt is in Dallas until Tuesday, so looks like there's no going up to Austin for me just yet. Ah well. That's life.
My parents seem to think I should try to take a driving test since I have some time. My reaction: Umm....how about not?
Although I know I'm driving rather well, I don't think I'm at all driving well enough for a license. I certainly need to look up the various rules of the road once again.
My parents seem to think I should try to take a driving test since I have some time. My reaction: Umm....how about not?
Although I know I'm driving rather well, I don't think I'm at all driving well enough for a license. I certainly need to look up the various rules of the road once again.
8/17/2006
Go Go Go!
Well, the plan now is to head up to Matt's place this Saturday and crash there for about a week while I get a headstart on my job hunt.
I should probably have gone up earlier, but then I wouldn't have randomly bumped into Valerie Valle (i think that's how her name is spelled) from CAHS while we were wandering through Target with absolutely no purpose. It was fun catching up. It was odd getting a random hug from a person I'd never been on hugging terms with, as far as I knew, but it was nice. It's good to know you have friends who'll hug ya just because.
Well, tomorrow, I shall spend the day packing up everything that I will be taking up to Austin. First I need to pack up the stuff I need for the week I'll be at Matt's place, but I need to pack up all the crap I want to take with me when I move into my apartment, too. My mom says if it ain't packed and I want it, she ain't takin it. So I better be pretty damn thorough. Tomorrow will be bothersome, I imagine. I should probably sleep, too.
Yeah right. Me. Sleep.
I should probably have gone up earlier, but then I wouldn't have randomly bumped into Valerie Valle (i think that's how her name is spelled) from CAHS while we were wandering through Target with absolutely no purpose. It was fun catching up. It was odd getting a random hug from a person I'd never been on hugging terms with, as far as I knew, but it was nice. It's good to know you have friends who'll hug ya just because.
Well, tomorrow, I shall spend the day packing up everything that I will be taking up to Austin. First I need to pack up the stuff I need for the week I'll be at Matt's place, but I need to pack up all the crap I want to take with me when I move into my apartment, too. My mom says if it ain't packed and I want it, she ain't takin it. So I better be pretty damn thorough. Tomorrow will be bothersome, I imagine. I should probably sleep, too.
Yeah right. Me. Sleep.
8/14/2006
Life is Never so Easy
Yeah, I should've figured. I didn't get the job at that store. At least, I figure as much, because they didn't call me about it. So, that sucks. But...well, like the title says, life ain't every that easy. It would be so awesome if it were, but it ain't. So...I'm currently jobless. I could just sit here and wait until it's time to move into my apartment, but then I will definitely have a hard time paying for it.
So...I think the only plan I have is to go up to Austin and crash at Matt's place while I look for work, until I can move into my apartment. I better find SOME kind of job. I think I heard somewhere that the Texas minimum wage should be going up to $7.15 sometime soon. I sure hope so...because that will make it so much easier to pay for my apartment.
If I don't find a job, I'm pretty much screwed for this year. I need to be able to at least earn money for food and stuff. My parents say they will help me out with paying rent and stuff so long as I have work and so long as I'm trying. So...I must at least try.
Still don't have my driver's license. But...not much I can do about that now. What I need to do first is get a job, move into my apartment, and get started with my classes. Part of that includes retaking a class and deciding if I really want to take 17 hours with a job, with 5 of those hours beind a Japanese course. Language courses are some intense studying, I hear.
Anyways...once school starts, and I have some source of income, however meager it is, then I shall see about a driving school nearby. I will have my license before my next birthday, I swear it. I think I remember there being an Austin Driving School. My mother was looking into it not too long ago, and it seems their adult driving courses start in September. Yes, that sounds good. I can take a bus, likely, to get to them. The only downside is that I learn to drive in Austin. Austin is horrible with traffic, I recall. Still...I need to get my license soon. I don't want to have to deal with waiting in line to get my permit all over again.
So. I guess that's the update for my life for the moment. Hmmm....
Oh, yes. Kitiy is starting school again soon, junior year, so she's going back to her mother's. Later today, in fact. Her mother doesn't have a computer. Well...not yet. Supposedly, they should be getting a new one. I sure hope so. I've become accustomed to being able to chat with Kitiy, and it'd be nice to be able to come home at night after classes and work and be able to chat with her. Not to mention how lonely she will get when she isn't able to chat with me.
So. Yes. End of entry.
So...I think the only plan I have is to go up to Austin and crash at Matt's place while I look for work, until I can move into my apartment. I better find SOME kind of job. I think I heard somewhere that the Texas minimum wage should be going up to $7.15 sometime soon. I sure hope so...because that will make it so much easier to pay for my apartment.
If I don't find a job, I'm pretty much screwed for this year. I need to be able to at least earn money for food and stuff. My parents say they will help me out with paying rent and stuff so long as I have work and so long as I'm trying. So...I must at least try.
Still don't have my driver's license. But...not much I can do about that now. What I need to do first is get a job, move into my apartment, and get started with my classes. Part of that includes retaking a class and deciding if I really want to take 17 hours with a job, with 5 of those hours beind a Japanese course. Language courses are some intense studying, I hear.
Anyways...once school starts, and I have some source of income, however meager it is, then I shall see about a driving school nearby. I will have my license before my next birthday, I swear it. I think I remember there being an Austin Driving School. My mother was looking into it not too long ago, and it seems their adult driving courses start in September. Yes, that sounds good. I can take a bus, likely, to get to them. The only downside is that I learn to drive in Austin. Austin is horrible with traffic, I recall. Still...I need to get my license soon. I don't want to have to deal with waiting in line to get my permit all over again.
So. I guess that's the update for my life for the moment. Hmmm....
Oh, yes. Kitiy is starting school again soon, junior year, so she's going back to her mother's. Later today, in fact. Her mother doesn't have a computer. Well...not yet. Supposedly, they should be getting a new one. I sure hope so. I've become accustomed to being able to chat with Kitiy, and it'd be nice to be able to come home at night after classes and work and be able to chat with her. Not to mention how lonely she will get when she isn't able to chat with me.
So. Yes. End of entry.
8/10/2006
Crashing
I'm crashing up at Matt's place tonight. Right now, in fact. I went up to Austin yesterday to job hunt and also fill out the final paperwork on the apartment. One of the places I applied at is this place that's just starting up. I was just walking down Guadalupe Street and noticed this place with it's door open, and inside it was rather obvious that they were refurbishing, painting walls, stuff like that. They had a table out front and a help wanted sign, so I naturally offered help. Turns out they're a clothing store that will open up on the 18th, and so they're wanting to train people ASAP. So, Friday, tomorrow, I have an interview. My parents, being the workaholics they are, work all day, and would not be able to take me up...so they figured take me up tonight, after work, and have me crash at my bud's place.
The plan is to go to the financial aid office and see what they can do to replace my Federal Parent PLUS loan with something I can defer until after graduation. Then I go and apply at a bunch of places, just in case, and go to this interview at 4pm. I doubt that will take up all my time, but...well, beyond that, I don't really know what to do. I suppose I could also see about retaking a certain course that I really should not have gotten a D in.
I'll probably take my laptop with me so that, when I'm done, I can go chill in the Jester lobby. Yeah, that'll work. Of course, right after my interview, I figure I'll just come back to Matt's place and chill for a bit, because my dad wants to come up in the Intrepid as early as he can and have me drive back.
Hm. First time on the highway. Well...sorta. Loop 1604 isn't a highway, but it's pretty much the same thing. My mom doesn't think I'm ready for it, but my dad doesn't seem to have the same opinion.
Well. Hrm. I feel like I need to blurb something else, but I dunno what to type. I'll go back to chatting with Kitiy and stuff now.
The plan is to go to the financial aid office and see what they can do to replace my Federal Parent PLUS loan with something I can defer until after graduation. Then I go and apply at a bunch of places, just in case, and go to this interview at 4pm. I doubt that will take up all my time, but...well, beyond that, I don't really know what to do. I suppose I could also see about retaking a certain course that I really should not have gotten a D in.
I'll probably take my laptop with me so that, when I'm done, I can go chill in the Jester lobby. Yeah, that'll work. Of course, right after my interview, I figure I'll just come back to Matt's place and chill for a bit, because my dad wants to come up in the Intrepid as early as he can and have me drive back.
Hm. First time on the highway. Well...sorta. Loop 1604 isn't a highway, but it's pretty much the same thing. My mom doesn't think I'm ready for it, but my dad doesn't seem to have the same opinion.
Well. Hrm. I feel like I need to blurb something else, but I dunno what to type. I'll go back to chatting with Kitiy and stuff now.
8/07/2006
Life Goes on Past Summer's End
Yes, summer is near a close...grade school students are now going back to school after two months, including my brother going on to his sophomore year. I know he's a fool, but I doubt he's wise in any sense of the word.
Classes don't start at UT Austin until August 30th, but I've got to spend these last couple of weeks preparing.
First thing's first, I need to make sure I can afford it. Apparently, with my Stafford loan, I only owe UT about $600 for the semester. If you add the Federal Parent PLUS loan (which my parents have to cosign and cannot be deferred until after graduation...meaning payment has been going on since I started college, and this next one would merely add), I have more than enough money for this year, and probably enough for next year, too. My total financial aid for this year would be $20k if you count those two loans, (plus some random undergraduate grant I hadn't even realized I had until I checked my financial aid through UT's online stuff). So, I can afford UT. My dad is trying to get my to find financial aid I don't have to pay back, at least not until after graduation, so that they don't have to cosign the parental loan and thus pay $120 a month or something (well, really, I'm the one who'll be paying it, but they're paranoid I'll end up a hobo on the street and that they'll have to pay all my debt since I won't be able to and they cosigned). I suppose I should do that now. He told me to do it today since I have the day off...but I'll finish this blog first.
Next thing to worry about is a place to stay. Well, actually, that was already taken care of from the beginning of summer. A friend of mine from the ACM has a small apartment and his old room mate is moving out, so he was offering the open spot to people. I said I needed a place, as I found the dorm to be super expensive, and so that's that. I filled out all the paperwork before leaving Austin at the beginning of the summer, with one exception: my parents need to cosign. And you already know they're paranoid about cosigning. So guess what? They still haven't cosigned. I think my mother is now willing to cosign the lease for the apartment, but it turns out somebody lost the paperwork that I needed to mail in. Will says it's all right, though, as Steve (the guy in charge of the apartment complex) is awesome enough to make the paperwork fill itself out as long as I have the money to pay. Even including utlities, the monthly rent should be around $500 or less, and it's decently close to campus. I'll probably end up taking the shuttle to get there, but at least it's somewhat close. I'm still wanting to bring the Intrepid up with me, assuming I can get my license before it's too late.
Ah, that's another thing to worry about. Finally getting my licsense. I think I can say I'm fairly decent at driving at this point. I haven't actually driven on a highway or a freeway, though I've driven on 1604. I haven't even attempted parallel parking, either. I've mostly just been getting the necessary driving experience to be able to know what I need to do when driving in order to pass a driving exam. I need to take an adult driver's course, not only to improve my driving, but also to save on insurance. I apparently increase my parent's insurance by $300 or so a month. That's with the driver's course, actually, but still. I personally think it will be worth it. Having a car, even if it's often the case that I have cheaper methods of transportation available and often won't use the car just to save on gas, will be extremely useful, I can foresee.
And, the most important step: employment. I've been working at McDonald's all summer...but now I need a job up in Austin. This Saturday will be my last day at McDonald's, at least for now. I'm taking a "leave of absence" they call it, so that I can come back whenver. The managers apparently find me to be a very good employee, so they can at least give me good references. I earned...*adds up his checks right now*...$1110.49. I could've made more if it weren't for taxes, and if I'd asked for more hours. I wish I could've gotten an awesome internship, or at least an awesome job like Matt's, even moreso now, looking at how little I made. It couldn't much be helped, and it certainly can't be helped at this point. Dwelling on the past serves no purpose.
Right now, the plan is to see if Matt really can hook me up where he works. I hope so, as I wouldn't have to spend much time job hunting. I doubt it will be that easy. Life is rarely so easy. I'll probably end up working at Wendy's on campus, with my luck. Still, can't hurt to try.
Another thing that worries is me is Fiona. I really would like to take her up with me. My dad isn't fond of cats in general, but he dislikes her in particular. He recently found her attacking a bird in the living this morning, which she'd managed to drag into the house. It is currently in the backyard in a cage, recuperating from a few bloody wounds. He's now paranoid that she will attack and kill Lola. He has threatened to put her to sleep if this happens, and suggested that I take her up to Austin with me. I'm waiting to see if that's possible. That is, if it's within the rules of the apartment. I'll probably have to spend some extra money for bringing her up, but I think it will be worth it.
Ah...one last thing I keep forgetting...I need to head to the bank and get some checks. I need those to be able to pay the rent.
I think I can manage to do all this without any real problems...it's not like I'm the first person to have to deal with this crap.
Classes don't start at UT Austin until August 30th, but I've got to spend these last couple of weeks preparing.
First thing's first, I need to make sure I can afford it. Apparently, with my Stafford loan, I only owe UT about $600 for the semester. If you add the Federal Parent PLUS loan (which my parents have to cosign and cannot be deferred until after graduation...meaning payment has been going on since I started college, and this next one would merely add), I have more than enough money for this year, and probably enough for next year, too. My total financial aid for this year would be $20k if you count those two loans, (plus some random undergraduate grant I hadn't even realized I had until I checked my financial aid through UT's online stuff). So, I can afford UT. My dad is trying to get my to find financial aid I don't have to pay back, at least not until after graduation, so that they don't have to cosign the parental loan and thus pay $120 a month or something (well, really, I'm the one who'll be paying it, but they're paranoid I'll end up a hobo on the street and that they'll have to pay all my debt since I won't be able to and they cosigned). I suppose I should do that now. He told me to do it today since I have the day off...but I'll finish this blog first.
Next thing to worry about is a place to stay. Well, actually, that was already taken care of from the beginning of summer. A friend of mine from the ACM has a small apartment and his old room mate is moving out, so he was offering the open spot to people. I said I needed a place, as I found the dorm to be super expensive, and so that's that. I filled out all the paperwork before leaving Austin at the beginning of the summer, with one exception: my parents need to cosign. And you already know they're paranoid about cosigning. So guess what? They still haven't cosigned. I think my mother is now willing to cosign the lease for the apartment, but it turns out somebody lost the paperwork that I needed to mail in. Will says it's all right, though, as Steve (the guy in charge of the apartment complex) is awesome enough to make the paperwork fill itself out as long as I have the money to pay. Even including utlities, the monthly rent should be around $500 or less, and it's decently close to campus. I'll probably end up taking the shuttle to get there, but at least it's somewhat close. I'm still wanting to bring the Intrepid up with me, assuming I can get my license before it's too late.
Ah, that's another thing to worry about. Finally getting my licsense. I think I can say I'm fairly decent at driving at this point. I haven't actually driven on a highway or a freeway, though I've driven on 1604. I haven't even attempted parallel parking, either. I've mostly just been getting the necessary driving experience to be able to know what I need to do when driving in order to pass a driving exam. I need to take an adult driver's course, not only to improve my driving, but also to save on insurance. I apparently increase my parent's insurance by $300 or so a month. That's with the driver's course, actually, but still. I personally think it will be worth it. Having a car, even if it's often the case that I have cheaper methods of transportation available and often won't use the car just to save on gas, will be extremely useful, I can foresee.
And, the most important step: employment. I've been working at McDonald's all summer...but now I need a job up in Austin. This Saturday will be my last day at McDonald's, at least for now. I'm taking a "leave of absence" they call it, so that I can come back whenver. The managers apparently find me to be a very good employee, so they can at least give me good references. I earned...*adds up his checks right now*...$1110.49. I could've made more if it weren't for taxes, and if I'd asked for more hours. I wish I could've gotten an awesome internship, or at least an awesome job like Matt's, even moreso now, looking at how little I made. It couldn't much be helped, and it certainly can't be helped at this point. Dwelling on the past serves no purpose.
Right now, the plan is to see if Matt really can hook me up where he works. I hope so, as I wouldn't have to spend much time job hunting. I doubt it will be that easy. Life is rarely so easy. I'll probably end up working at Wendy's on campus, with my luck. Still, can't hurt to try.
Another thing that worries is me is Fiona. I really would like to take her up with me. My dad isn't fond of cats in general, but he dislikes her in particular. He recently found her attacking a bird in the living this morning, which she'd managed to drag into the house. It is currently in the backyard in a cage, recuperating from a few bloody wounds. He's now paranoid that she will attack and kill Lola. He has threatened to put her to sleep if this happens, and suggested that I take her up to Austin with me. I'm waiting to see if that's possible. That is, if it's within the rules of the apartment. I'll probably have to spend some extra money for bringing her up, but I think it will be worth it.
Ah...one last thing I keep forgetting...I need to head to the bank and get some checks. I need those to be able to pay the rent.
I think I can manage to do all this without any real problems...it's not like I'm the first person to have to deal with this crap.
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