took me long enough
So my last real update was November 17th. That was the day that I cut off all my hair. Seems kind of funny that I would pick today to start my update, considering that I'm getting another haircut on Friday. I really don't know where to start, so I guess I'll just go as I remember them. Advanced apologies if this seems a little scattered.
So December was a pretty good month. Finals went really well. My worst grade was a C, which means that I passed all my classes. I did a lot of drinking in the 2 days between exams and graduation and it was fun. December 17th rolled around and I got to don the beautiful Carolina blue cap and gown. There's a few pictures of it on my photos section of myspace if anybody is interested. Just about the entire family was there. Mom, Mike, my grandma, Mary and Tom (Mike's parents), my aunt Kay, my cousin Leslie, and even Eric and Kristi (with the unborn Riley, more on that in a moment). My dad even made it up there, which is a feat considering that he doesn't drive. Having my whole family there made it the perfect day. It was a little emotional making the drive back. I've made the drive plenty of times, but I think it was the fact that it was a one way trip this time that made it a little harder to do. I'm going to miss all my college friends and all the hijinks that took place with my friends and brothers, but now it's time for me to become a more responsible adult and become independent. I like the idea of being independent, sans the part of paying my own bills. Oh well, for all great art, ye must suffer. I guess the same is true for life and finances.
So obviously, I'm living back home now. Things have actually been ok here. I'm slowly taking on my own bills and saving my money with the exception of a few fast food trips and trips to Jester's Pub. New Year's was ok. I hung out with my friend Angela and saw some great bands. It was good to see Nephilym play again. I have the feeling they're going to hit it big really soon. They've definitely paid their dues and big things are gonna happen for them. I've gone out to this place called Firehouse Pub a couple of times and done Karaoke and I think it might become a semi-regular thing. Not sure yet though. I need to go by there and get my pool stick that I left there the last time I went.
Christmas was nice. I got some nice dress clothes since I'll be working and interviewing for jobs. Probably a good time to update the wardrobe. I also got a new 6.1 digital camera with the picture printer. It's pretty sweet, so I'm hoping I can start to take some artsy fartsy pictures soon. I've always enjoyed photography. I might see if FTCC offers a night class on photography and see if I can learn anything I don't already know. I also got a computer desk which is handy, because I was using one of those generic “church tables” from my mom's office. I don't know that they have a technical name, but I've always called them church tables. Anywho, the new desk warranted a complete rearranging of my room. That was an ordeal, but fun at the same time. I like the new layout. I actually have some floor space for the first time since I had bunk beds. [sidetrack] Why the hell did I have bunk beds as an only child? [/sidetrack]
2 Days later, my cousin Kristi was in the hospital and she gave birth to Riley Ocean Ivey. 7 pounds, 6 ounces, 21 inches long, and a head full of dark hair. I heard today that her eyes are turning from blue to brown. On Monday, most of the family got together at grandma's house to celebrate the January birthdays (my mom's on the 10th, my cousin Ryan on the 11th, and Mike's on the 14th). I had a long, frustrating day at work and when I got there, I ate dinner and then got my turn to hold the baby. I don't know what it was, but something about holding a little baby just made me forget about everything that had me frustrated.
I got to hang out with Brandi sometime between Christmas and New Years. We had some awesome sushi and ended up hanging out at Dog Pound, a local piercing and tattoo place. She got a vertical lebret piercing which looks really good. If I didn't play trumpet, I would probably get something similar. Then last week, I took Liz to get her tragus pierced. I love hanging out there because it's such a chill environment. I definitely want to get some piercings done there and if/when I get any ink done, I'll probably go there for it too. Dave has been really cool to hang out with and he does good work with his piercings.
I'm working full time now. I like the money, but my feet hate me standing all day. I'm in the process of doing training books and once I finish those and become a Nationally Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), I'll be able to get the lead tech job that will most like come with a nice raise. That would help me with the biggest thing in my future. I had a talk with my mom last weekend and I told her that I want to move out on my own by the end of the summer. She was actually pretty supportive of the idea. So I'm going to save my money, pay the few bills I have right now, and try to have my own place (possibly with a roomie) by the end of August. I'm gonna try to work early on Fridays and go out looking at rental properties. The key is to find something that I can afford on my own, so if a roomie has to bail, I won't get evicted and fuck up my credit. I'm doing good to save the money right now, and I think the bills aren't going to be as bad as I thought until I actually move out. They'll get a little easier when my benefits package from work finally gets here, because then I'll most likely be paying much less for health insurance. On another tangent, I think I might treat myself to piercing my nipples for my birthday. Still not sure yet, but I've fought the urge several times since I've been home.
I guess that's all for now. Further updates as events warrant.
So December was a pretty good month. Finals went really well. My worst grade was a C, which means that I passed all my classes. I did a lot of drinking in the 2 days between exams and graduation and it was fun. December 17th rolled around and I got to don the beautiful Carolina blue cap and gown. There's a few pictures of it on my photos section of myspace if anybody is interested. Just about the entire family was there. Mom, Mike, my grandma, Mary and Tom (Mike's parents), my aunt Kay, my cousin Leslie, and even Eric and Kristi (with the unborn Riley, more on that in a moment). My dad even made it up there, which is a feat considering that he doesn't drive. Having my whole family there made it the perfect day. It was a little emotional making the drive back. I've made the drive plenty of times, but I think it was the fact that it was a one way trip this time that made it a little harder to do. I'm going to miss all my college friends and all the hijinks that took place with my friends and brothers, but now it's time for me to become a more responsible adult and become independent. I like the idea of being independent, sans the part of paying my own bills. Oh well, for all great art, ye must suffer. I guess the same is true for life and finances.
So obviously, I'm living back home now. Things have actually been ok here. I'm slowly taking on my own bills and saving my money with the exception of a few fast food trips and trips to Jester's Pub. New Year's was ok. I hung out with my friend Angela and saw some great bands. It was good to see Nephilym play again. I have the feeling they're going to hit it big really soon. They've definitely paid their dues and big things are gonna happen for them. I've gone out to this place called Firehouse Pub a couple of times and done Karaoke and I think it might become a semi-regular thing. Not sure yet though. I need to go by there and get my pool stick that I left there the last time I went.
Christmas was nice. I got some nice dress clothes since I'll be working and interviewing for jobs. Probably a good time to update the wardrobe. I also got a new 6.1 digital camera with the picture printer. It's pretty sweet, so I'm hoping I can start to take some artsy fartsy pictures soon. I've always enjoyed photography. I might see if FTCC offers a night class on photography and see if I can learn anything I don't already know. I also got a computer desk which is handy, because I was using one of those generic “church tables” from my mom's office. I don't know that they have a technical name, but I've always called them church tables. Anywho, the new desk warranted a complete rearranging of my room. That was an ordeal, but fun at the same time. I like the new layout. I actually have some floor space for the first time since I had bunk beds. [sidetrack] Why the hell did I have bunk beds as an only child? [/sidetrack]
2 Days later, my cousin Kristi was in the hospital and she gave birth to Riley Ocean Ivey. 7 pounds, 6 ounces, 21 inches long, and a head full of dark hair. I heard today that her eyes are turning from blue to brown. On Monday, most of the family got together at grandma's house to celebrate the January birthdays (my mom's on the 10th, my cousin Ryan on the 11th, and Mike's on the 14th). I had a long, frustrating day at work and when I got there, I ate dinner and then got my turn to hold the baby. I don't know what it was, but something about holding a little baby just made me forget about everything that had me frustrated.
I got to hang out with Brandi sometime between Christmas and New Years. We had some awesome sushi and ended up hanging out at Dog Pound, a local piercing and tattoo place. She got a vertical lebret piercing which looks really good. If I didn't play trumpet, I would probably get something similar. Then last week, I took Liz to get her tragus pierced. I love hanging out there because it's such a chill environment. I definitely want to get some piercings done there and if/when I get any ink done, I'll probably go there for it too. Dave has been really cool to hang out with and he does good work with his piercings.
I'm working full time now. I like the money, but my feet hate me standing all day. I'm in the process of doing training books and once I finish those and become a Nationally Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), I'll be able to get the lead tech job that will most like come with a nice raise. That would help me with the biggest thing in my future. I had a talk with my mom last weekend and I told her that I want to move out on my own by the end of the summer. She was actually pretty supportive of the idea. So I'm going to save my money, pay the few bills I have right now, and try to have my own place (possibly with a roomie) by the end of August. I'm gonna try to work early on Fridays and go out looking at rental properties. The key is to find something that I can afford on my own, so if a roomie has to bail, I won't get evicted and fuck up my credit. I'm doing good to save the money right now, and I think the bills aren't going to be as bad as I thought until I actually move out. They'll get a little easier when my benefits package from work finally gets here, because then I'll most likely be paying much less for health insurance. On another tangent, I think I might treat myself to piercing my nipples for my birthday. Still not sure yet, but I've fought the urge several times since I've been home.
I guess that's all for now. Further updates as events warrant.