Archive for category School

Penny Pinching

Jun 10

Posted by Bobbi in Savings, School, Wedding | 4 Comments

I have SO much to discuss about my bridal shower, but I want to save that for another post, when I can actually include pictures! Right now, I don’t have any, but will be getting a DVD of them next time I see my future sister-in-law.

I got my financial aid package for law school. On the one hand, YAY, I got a scholarship and my expected family contribution (according to FAFSA) is $0. That means I qualify for more Federal Stafford loans than I did in undergrad. On the other hand, OUCH, we will be taking out about $200,000 when all is said and done. Between Stafford loans, our combined undergrad loans, and private loans (to make up the difference in what I wasn’t offered in my financial aid package), it’s going to be a lot. Granted, I thought I’d be taking out more like $300,000, so I feel good about that (at least).

Now that we know that, we are definitely pinching pennies even more! It is depressing to think about taking that much money out, but thankfully I will (one day) have a good job that allows us to pay it back. A good portion of the interest will be paid by the government, too (thank you Subsidized loans that I actually qualify for this time around!).

Scary, yet fun – tonight I logged into my student account at my law school – for the first time ever. Don’t ask me why, but it was the coolest and scariest feeling! I have said it about a million times, but I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M GOING TO LAW SCHOOL. I’m so excited and nervous!

Speaking of the law, work is going so well. Whoa, I almost just typed “school” instead of “work.” Yeah, I forgot what going to school feels like, haha. That feeling will come back soon enough though, right? I’ll eat my words in August, haha.

I just realized how ridic this post is. Sorry! I’m feeling a mix of emotions and in the process, babbling all over the place. I want to go play Sims 3 (which I got in the mail yesterday) but my book (John Grisham’s The Street Lawyer …. haha) is also calling my name. Hmmm….

What Do I Do Now?

May 4

Posted by Bobbi in Family, Memories, Occasions, School, What!? | 6 Comments

: May 3, 2009

Click the picture for a full size version

You guys, that’s me up there, shaking the hand of the Dean of my college. Everything went by so fast, despite the ceremony taking two hours! We didn’t even have a special speaker! When we got back to the apartment, there were several family members waiting – the ones that have little kids celebrated at the party, since they didn’t want the kids to disturb the ceremony – and the party began. I felt so incredibly loved and supported. Unfortunately, my dad and my sister did not make an appearance, but that was to be expected. And to be honest, it looks like I robbed a cash drawer or something, because I got a TON of cash! Which is really good, because I can’t seem to find a summer job right now… so this will definitely help me get through! More pictures to come on flickr sometime today when I feel like being more productive.

Wedding Registry

Apr 25

Posted by Bobbi in Memories, Product Reviews, Reading, School, Wedding | 5 Comments

Tom and I spent the day today running “wedding errands” and getting a couple other things done. The first stop was at a local jeweler to see if we couldn’t find the perfect wedding bands. Turns out, we did! I should have them by the end of next week (in time to show everyone coming up for graduation) and I will be sure to post pictures of it ASAP. I would just pull an image from online but it just wouldn’t be the same.

Our next stop was Target. We’ve decided to have two registries (one at Target and the other at Macy’s) to make our wedding gifts affordable for everyone. It was very exciting to hold that scanner in my hand and know that I could ask for ANYTHING I wanted. We asked for a lot of kitchen utensils (since the ones I have are from my dorm days and in bad shape), patio furniture, and some basic linens. After that, we had a quick lunch at BJ’s (which is my new favorite … even though it’s sooo bad for you) and then headed over to Macy’s. This is where the fun really started! I found some gorgeous Lenox china with matching stemware. I really really hope we get that. We got a bunch of other stuff too, but need to go back and tweak it and add some more things. I would highly recommend Macy’s for a registry. There are a lot of perks to registering with them. Check out their web site for more details. Honestly, if we threw in a couple of farmhouse sinks, we’d have an entire house worth of stuff on our registry!

Tom and I got back around 6pm (we left at 11:30am!), played around on our computers, and then I got to studying for my final. I’ve been doing reading on and off all night while Tom plays Super Mario Brothers on the Wii. We used our Wii points to download it … and are obsessed with it. We’re staying up until we’ve beaten it, haha. Thankfully, I’m able to focus on my reading. Only 20 more pages until I’m done for the night!

You mean … I’m graduating?!

Apr 22

Posted by Bobbi in College Stories, Diet & Exercise, Fitness, Ideas, Lists, Memories, Moving, School, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

The feeling has finally sunk in. I took two out of my three finals yesterday and classes are over. I woke up this morning all ready to lounge around, do nothing and sit in my pajamas all day. Yeah, not happening. I’m too excited! I made myself a very nice breakfast (albeit healthy), folded clothes, ran a few more loads, played with the dogs and paid a couple bills. I’ve got some errands to run this afternoon, but I’m going to save that for after Tom is home for lunch.

I got some good news this week. We finally know where we will be moving and where I will be attending law school beginning in the fall. Unfortunately, I did not get into my top choice, but PLEASE do not comment and say “I am so sorry” because I am totally fine with it. My top choice was a private school and although it would have been so nice to live back at home near my friends and family, it would have cost us SO much more. With my school, I will be saving about $22,000 because of my scholarship. Also, Tom and I will be able to start our marriage completely fresh and on our own; not that I wouldn’t prefer to have his family and mine closer for us to lean on when we need them, but I really think it will help our marriage to be away. We’ve already told our families that our house will be the “vacation house” so they will have to come visit. I am so incredibly excited (and proud of myself) because I am actually doing it - really and truly going to law school!!!

With finals and all that, I have seriously been slacking with working out, and my good eating habits have gone out the window. This morning, I started up again. The gym is going to be my last “errand” of the day and when I get back from that, I will be shredding. I weighed myself this morning AND I GAINED A POUND FROM LAST WEEK. UGH. I was talking with a friend and she recommended that I should stop weighing myself and instead get a measuring tape to measure myself once a week. With all the strength training I’m doing, it makes more sense to pay attention to the inches but not the pounds.

And lastly, I was tagged by one of my favorite people to post a picture of myself that I JUST took. I took three and couldn’t choose, so I’ll just post all of them:

111150

111157

111211

Um yeah. Still in my pajamas, hair unwashed, face unwashed, and … I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet. Why did you make me do this, Rachael?!

I am going to get a couple other people to do this, so consider yourself tagged Tiffany, Jessica, Katharina, and Lynn! Here are the rules:

Take a picture of yourself right now.
No primping or preparing.
Just snap a picture.
Load the picture onto your blog.
Tag some people to play along.

Have fun! :)

Graduation

Apr 3

Posted by Bobbi in College Stories, Memories, Occasions, School | 4 Comments

One month from today, I will be getting ready to graduate. Along with hundreds of other students, I will have the privilege of walking across the stage of the O’Dome and will accept my diploma. This time, graduating feels very different. When I graduated from high school, I felt like my life was just starting. I had so very much to look forward to – moving away from home, being closer to Tom, starting over on my grades (not that they were bad in high school, but I always like the thought of having a clean slate). Everyone that I graduated with was saying goodbye, and it was a bittersweet feeling. Now, I am dreading saying goodbye to some of the very best friends I have ever had. I’m not going to miss the classes, papers or bus rides. But I’ll have a really difficult time when I have to say goodbye to those that I have become so close to. Thankfully, they will all be at my wedding. They are the types of friends that you want for a lifetime.

Although I don’t feel like I am just starting my life, I am entering a new chapter. After years and years and years of dreaming about law school, I am on my way! I have literally dreamt about going to law school since I was in elementary school. I’ll also be bringing with me to my new school a husband and a family (well, the dogs and cat are our family, too). I am so excited about what the future holds for me.

Reflecting on the past four years really makes me feel proud and successful. There have been many challenges along the way – three major changes, relationship troubles, friendship troubles, trying to balance school, work and play – but I’ve managed to do it all. All the goals I set up for myself I have accomplished, and I am so very proud to say that.

This morning, I am going to be mailing my graduation announcements to friends and family. It’s a way for me to say, “Hey, look, I did it! I reached my goals!” It’s one of the most rewarding feelings.

For those of you who are graduating – whether it be from college, high school, or even if you’re just experiencing a change in your life in the next few months – I wish you nothing but luck and success. I can’t wait to hear all about your journies (hopefully, you’ll be sharing them).