Perspective

Sometimes things happen in life, like say, a rushed move to a new apartment, bills, a tough time at work or a break up with a soulless human being. But it could be worse. I made it into said apartment, I'm working on my finances, I'm trying harder at work and I wasn't attracted to the douchebag anyway - his smile was the only thing going for him and that was manufactured. It's all worked out or is working out and I've already moved on. C'est la vie.

Terrible things are happening all over the world, most recently the disasters in Southeast Asia, but everyday people are dying of hunger and AIDS and things I could never ever fathom.

People are being laid off every second.

My brother's in Iraq right now. It's by choice, but he's in IRAQ. I mean geez, I can moan all day long about the increasing Metrocard costs and evil boys with Napeleon complexes, but I'm not fighting for my country in 120 degree weather, 6000 miles away.

Have you read The Diving Bell and the Butterfly?!

I'm not saying my problems are insignificant or not worth talking about, it's just that in the big scheme of things, I have a roof over my head. In the big scheme of things, I'll work through my debt and figure out what I want to do career wise. Apparently, eventually a good guy will come along when I least expect it (or that's what everyone tells me). Putting things in perspective and realizing that you are fortunate can really bring your life back into focus.

In the meantime, I'm going to put all the energy I have into being a better person, a better daughter, sister and friend. Change starts with you (and more than likely ends with you) and nothing can come from being stagnant, right? There are so many things that I want to do and I can't be all talk anymore. Steve Jobs tore out a page from a magazine about 25 years ago and I have the scan of it posted on my desk. STAY HUNGRY, STAY FOOLISH. We should all attempt to follow this mantra everyday.

Just so you know, the good things outnumber the bad in my life by an exponential amount.

FIN

PS - Nothing good comes out of Duke except for basketball losses.

Busy, but making a little time for my arch enemy, DEBT

I have been unbelievably busy. Like every hour of everyday carved out for me kind of busy.

But I'm still fighting to beat down my debt, a number that cannot be named. Going forward, said debt will be called VOLDEMORT. Voldermort is a bitch.

An aside: I hate mixing my pop culture references, but has anyone starting watching Heroes: Season 4, yet? They're introducing all these new characters with crazy cool powers. A deaf woman has the power to "visually hear" things she sees through spurts of color! Another character has enhanced speed - that is, he can rip you to shreds with knives in 10 seconds. Those writers have great imaginations. I guess that's what they're paid for, but how about introducing a super hot black girl? She can be a sort of modern day Robin hood whose ability is taking loot out of banker's bonuses and paying off poor folks debt! What do you think?! Her first save? Herself.

Back to the busy, I just moved into a new studio last week (HURRAH!) and though living single has benefits galore, the start up stuff is costly. But I am not using my credit cards to make any purchases! I've been working hard and cutting back! I think I'm also taking the advice of friends and saving up for the big purchases. Sure, I could buy a nice couch tomorrow, but then I'd struggle a bit until the end of the month. Instead I'm going to save little by little until I'm ready to buy the couch and all guests will have spoon with me until I get it. Cool?

If you guys know of where to find cheap sofabeds, please let me know! I'm also looking for some cute curtains to replace the black garbage bags presently covering my windows. Mucho feo, señors.

FIN