Biology, Education, Healthy Living
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Man, I feel good. 
Whoa-oa-oa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would, now
So good, so good, I got you
Whoa! I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you
That is how I feel this morning. I had an awesome breakfast of brown rice with steamed broccoli and I snuck some handfuls of Kashi GoLean Crunch to go with me. The simple pleasures. Yesterday was a hard day for a few reasons and it was a test that I flunked. However, I feel like a winner today. I learnt some hard lessons (this is not work related), but I am going to put my new information to some good use. I am disgustingly healthy, I’ve got an even healthier husband with a penchant, healthy family … I never thought I would say it, but I am content. I am 23 years old and that’s an eternity in comparison to peers from my motherland. However, to each his own. As I pray and bless my peers, I am praying and blessing myself too. Praying and striving for clarity and direction. Speaking of which, I had been toying with the idea of getting certified in one of the clinical laboratory sciences. Then, I sat down and thought of what those jobs involved and as much as I like the idea, I decided that I would be better off pursuing a different line of education. Taking this alternate route does not entirely close the door to any of the clinical laboratory sciences, but at this moment, it’s off the table. Which actually opens up a bunch of options to me seeing as Georgia does not have a good variety of the clinical laboratory sciences anyway.
Going back to school is very much on the mind although it will be for a shorter program like a Masters degree program or something. I’m just considering my options at this point and will need to make up my mind before the year is out if I am going to be a competitive applicant for the 2009/2010 school year. My general GRE scores were decent, but I am toying with taking the subject GRE test which will be a major undertaking, but I think I could do it if I started studying like right now. Anyhow, I’m not looking forward to the application fees and such so I will need to do some research and apply to a select handful. Just thinking out loud.
Jane Ullah @ May 15, 2008
Events, Financial
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Finally, I can breathe. I’m currently at the lab, but I’m unofficially working over so I don’t think the bosses will be too upset about grabbing some internet time that’s not on the company dime this time. Work’s been going okay. We’re in a sort of lull and I’m sure things will soon turn crazy. I’m prepping myself to develop 4 hands. I love it. I know I keep giving mixed messages, but as with all things, you love ‘em sometimes and you can’t bear it sometimes. What’s new? I’m getting much better on the bike. I obviously need to get my biking attire soon because I’m injuring myself in places that would be protected better if I had things like a pair of padded bike shorts, a pair of biking gloves, etc. All told, I’m loving this new experience and I cannot wait to get out and earn my stripes. M says I”m great at powering up hills. Sadly, it’s usually a short burst of energy that lasts me for a short uphill climb. I clearly need to work on my endurance. Anyhow, he’s a great and patient teacher. He’s trading his old bike for a better mountain bike so I’m excited for him and because we can both do rides. He’s been without his for a week now.
Next, I just remembered that (duh) I am enrolled in a retirement plan courtesy of my employer (as is M). However, it would be worth investigating what happens to those funds should I (or we) switch employers. M’s rate of return on his investments is 6% (I just read his statement). I don’t know if that’s due to me upping his contribution rate (shhh, don’t tell M that!). I need to do a lot of reading on this financial stuff so I can make sense of his portfolio. In any case, now is the time for me to go ahead and open up that Roth IRA I’ve been blathering about. First, I do want to talk with an adviser and I would greatly prefer doing my business with one of the big 3 (Vanguard, Fidelity or T. Rowe Price). It’s like a game of Russian Roulette although minus the part where you die. If you are playing the stock market, don’t let temporary losses get you down. Think long-term. I shouldn’t be talking because I haven’t had much experience, but I aim to learn all I can and use this blog as my sounding board. My plan on the other hand is really weird. It’s one of these teacher retirement system programs and I can’t mess with them as far as I can tell. The sanctioned option by my employer is a 403(b) or 457 plan with either TIAA-CREF, Fidelity or AIG Retirement. Right now, looking at their websites, information overload-itis is occuring. So, I really would like to talk to a real live person and a company that comes to mind for that is Edward Jones. Hell, there’s a branch that’s less than 1 mile from my apartment so that is a really attractive option. Anyhow, that’s about it. I’ve gotta run.
Oh, I’m going to be an aunt twice over. lol. My sister and my sister-in-law are expecting. This is awesome. 
Jane Ullah @ May 14, 2008
Biking, Healthy Living
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M bought my bike yesterday so it’s truly mine now! *cue evil laughter* Because he had to take care of ‘bidness’, I missed going out on my bike ride yesterday. I have been craving a trip to the movie theater so I am going to make an attempt today to do that. M will be at work so I am preparing myself for the task of timing my exit from work to coincide with the bus which comes once every hour. So wish me luck! I totally want to see IronMan and Spiderwick Chronicles. I love all (almost all) things fantasy. lol. If I don’t make it to the theater, I’ll go riding. Things were a bit relaxed at work this week and part of me suspects my female boss for being responsible. It’s sometimes funny how she knows when to push and how to bring out the 100% in me. I am also not going to kid myself that she can bring out the stern taskmaster at any moment so I will be wise not to take anything for granted. Have I said how selfless M is? I think he’s just now realizing all the trouble he’s married. lol. Remember M, 1 year down, ∞ to go. So buckle your seat belt! With this new month, I am:
- Recommitting to living a healthy and personally satisfying life which has started to incorporate healthy eating, healthy thought patterns, healthy patterns of exercise and positive thinking through obstacles.
- I am also going to pick up the slack on my credit card payment schedule as well as saving for our emergency fund. Right now, my end of year goal for the emergency fund is $5,000. Experts recommend at least 3 months’ worth of living expenses to as much as you feel like would suffice for your family.
Baby steps, folks. Baby steps.
Jane Ullah @ May 9, 2008
Financial
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Okay, my computer is really really pissing me off! I mean, I’m at the lab at these computers that have less than 20 gb of hard drive space are running faster than mine! I am also getting sick of firefox which seems to take a minute to load these days. I guess it can’t handle my bookmarks anymore? I haven’t gone plugin crazy with firefox. I’ve tried disabling the “check for updates at startup” section but I didn’t observe any appreciable increase in speed. What to do, fellas? I’ve put a freeze on installing new software on my PC except for updating old software. Interestingly, I think my problem can be traced to one program: F Secure. See, when I uninstall that behemoth, I’m speedier than Speedy Gonzalez. However, I cannot surf without my antivirus/rootkit/antispyware combo that is F Secure. As my boss would say, “on a mac, …” So I am actually seriously considering making the jump to the other side … In a year or two when I’ve saved up enough money to buy one of those babies. Grrrrhh.
In other news, changes are happening at Casa de Jane and Matt. I’m getting my daily practice on the bicycle. I’m learning that having muscles that came as a result of body fat loss does not equate fitness. In that vein, the bike kicked my ass on inclines, but I pushed back. M & I are going for a bike/run (he runs, I follow on the bike) today so I’m stoked about that. I am getting excited again about certain things that I will reveal in good time. I have actually sat down to map out timelines so wish me luck!
Savings and aggressive credit card payments have stalled. I have faith that we can be ride of our Credit Card payments at the month’s end. I just need to keep my wits about me and keep track of where the money is going. In that respect, I find that I’m not very good using Quicken Financial software. The task of downloading those financial forms is a great pain in the patootie and seeing as I’ve got at least 2 accounts per institution, it’s hard. Man, I came this close to signing on the dotted line to opening up a Roth IRA with Fidelity. I don’t know why I am holding back. Obviously, I don’t have the asking price of $2,500, but they can waive that if I commit to a $200 monthly donation. I will have to whip up a spreadsheet to see how thin that will leave me.
Jane Ullah @ May 7, 2008