Goals for 2013

I have 3 of them.... as they all come about, you'll know what they each are. 

The one I will share is this... I want to go back and I'm ready to go back. So I picked this up to get an itinerary together... I plan and what will be nice about this trip is I know what to expect. 

Time to upload Rosetta Stone to my Mac and imparare l'italiano!

Arrivederci per ora 

(Good-bye for now)

House Hunting

Last May I decided to buy a house. This was something I have always wanted to do and decided it was fine. I did not want to start looking for awhile, because I did not want to find a house in June, close in August, and move in the middle of 118 degree weather. So, I waited until the middle of July to start looking and found the house I wanted. Unfortunately, it was a short sale but I wasn't in a hurry so I was fine to wait. Well, I waited 7 months. I passed up a few houses only because I REALLY wanted this specific one and everyone kept saying to hold out, it will happen. In mid February, I was told the seller's changed their mind and I decided to fight to keep their house. So, I was back to square one, with only 3 months until the first time homeowners tax credit expires. I found the next house; however, it was overpriced. I kept looking at other houses and watched the price on the 2nd house drop. When it finally got to a price I was willing to pay, I made an offer. We went back and forth for 8 days only to find out the seller and agent were basically partners and in my opinion, low life scum. I countered with 'you pay me back if the house does not close on time' and the seller said he wouldn't counter my offer. Back to square one, again. Third house, I made an offer, someone came in and offered substantially more and cash. DANG IT! Meanwhile... I have an offer on a second short sale since mid-February but not expecting anything to come of it because, well... you can see a pattern, right? Currently, this 2nd short sale house has been approved by the 1st mortgage company. I am waiting for the 2nd mortgage company to 'officially' approve the 2nd mortgage. They stated they would as soon as the 1st was approved. It hasn't quite been a week, but seriously, they better hurry up because next week, I am going back to look at houses.

Oh the joys of trying to have a mortgage payment!

Goal #2

Out with the old... in with the new.

I am slowly packing because I know at some point, I will be moving. Goal #2 is to purge. Get rid of things I do not use {easier said than done}. Here is what happens. I come across something I haven't used and I think to myself... but I WILL use it!!! Hint to self: NO YOU WILL NOT! My second though: the house will be bigger. Second tip to self: WHO CARES! Is this just me? Does anyone else contemplate what to get rid of and what not to get rid of? I remember when I was little, this trait of mine drove my mother insane. I used to save the shavings of my crayons (for some odd reason I learned you could melt them together to make one cool crayon). I never did melt them together. Wish me luck!

2010 - Goal #1

One goal for this year is nightly push-ups! Something simple to do, right? Sure if you enjoy them and last I checked, I'm not super fond of these. However, once I get into the 'groove', they are not so bad. It's the starting of them that I do not like. If you are interested in some more, advanced versions of push-ups, I found this website that is beneficial to making sure you have good posture with your pushups, plus, the site will give you those harder modified versions!

For another version (that is not found on the above website), try push-ups on a stability ball (found here).

Alright all... time to get to the push-ups for the night.

Here's to a new decade, health, and fitness!

2009, comes to an end

{Photo of the house I am TRYING to buy}

I cannot believe that we are entering 2010. Where does the time go? My goal this coming year is to survive my MBA and blog more. Oh, I have many more goals and this year, I will obtain a few that I have set out for myself for the last, oh 10 years or so.
One goal is to own my own home. I am in the process of trying to purchase one; however, it is taking FOREVER. It's a short sale (why they call it short, I have NO clue). You will all know as soon as the deal is sealed!
Another goal is to travel again at the end of next year, once I finish this degree. I would really like to go back to Italy (Rome and southern Italy to be exact), so we'll see how that goes. I will go somewhere though, it's my graduation gift to myself!
Next, run a half marathon. I've wanted to do this for some time and I have started training, then something comes up. Work is finally allowing me to take extra time at lunch to go to the gym. I have to make up the time but I've been trying to do this for... oh so long now. With work and school, this will be the best schedule for me and I am excited. Jan. 4... here I come!
By 2011, I will be a home owner, MBA grad, and a runner! Not to mention, I'll have a new stamp on my passport! So, stay tuned and hopefully I'll post more than every 2 months!

Happy New Year!