money

hey there, blogosphere...it's been awhile.

this past weekend my dad told me that i have to begin making my "life transition plan" as i will be "on my own" starting next May. everyone goes through the whole transition from college to real world but let me explain, i'm in a bit of a pickle.

my entire life my parents have paid for everything. i have an ATM

card to their checking account and a credit card that they pay for each month. this arrangement, in many ways, has been the most amazing money situation one could ask for. i have consistently had money and i will never be in debt to the University of Northern Iowa. however, this arrangement is also the pits because all money i've earned from working since i was 15 has gone directly to my parents. so this means that in May i will have no debt (yay), no savings (uhh), & consequently- no money (oh what?)...i'm not sure what that will mean for me. i imagine it will be difficult to get an apartment without any money.

brainstorm on that one for me. i'm open to any financial planning advice.

in the meantime, i made a playlist entitled "life transition plan"- i'm hoping to be inspired.

in a (financial) pickle,

emma

IA to AZ

awake
breathe
smile
move
laugh
learn
continue
live
love
dream

spring break '09

party on,
emma

3:51 AM is a good time for blogging.

i've been debating with myself on what i should blog about.
i've started four other posts within the past week, intending to share them, but they've gone unfinished.
hopefully this one will have a finish.

i didn't want any of this for myself. i knew what i wanted.
however,
my life is undergoing a lot right now and i suppose the best way to explain my situation is "displaced."
it's not necessarily good or bad, just "displaced."
and through this whirlwind adventure of displacement, i've learned some things about myself.
& that's what i need to blog about, in list format (of course):

- i really do love love.
- emotionally, i am stronger than i have ever given myself credit for.
- i have the best friends & family.
- losing my credit card is difficult and prohibits stress-shopping. bummer.
- i can lose nearly 10 pounds within 24 hours. bad effect.
- my breaths may be complicated but will not stop, i survive.
- i am a major crier.
- i am intensely impacted by the opinions of others.
- my mom is officially one of my absolute best friends. i would like to get matching jewelry.
- i am going to be okay.

"i was not the cause, and i refuse to be an effect."

always,
emma