Wallet Saver Update!

hello hello, two blogs in one day? It must be an apocalypse! No need to worry, I'm just popping on really quick to share an update on my progress with "the wallet saver" (link! if you haven't seen it yet, there it is). Pretty much it's my attempt to save money. :) So far, it has been a success!

My first challenge was make up (PROJECT 10 PAN).
I'm proud to say I have almost used up:

• MAC studio fix foundation
• a Lancome eye shadow
• Benefit's they're real mascara
• Smashbox full exposure mascara
• MAC splashproof mascara
• an Elizabeth Arden blush
• and finally, a MAC studio fix powder

Although I have used up completely a MAC mineralized skin finish, and two softlips lip chaps!
I think I'm going to continue this little project, to refrain from over spending on make up and after I reach my goal of completely using up 10 items, I've decided to only purchase something new after I finish another product. ie, want a new foundation? finish the other one!

Also for my make up, I went on a major purge. I'm glad to say that I have condensed my make up collection from a ridiculously packed four drawers and hoarding in my purse, to a neat three drawered plastic container and have given away: over 10 eyeshadow pallets, several nail polishes, several lipsticks/glosses, a few blushes, some powders and a foundation.

My second challenge was clothing, and it's safe to say I have not bought anything and broken my rule of no clothes spending until April 24th! And, I have also been shopping my closet and trying to make different outfits of the clothes I do have and never wear! I have also planned for after the wallet saver money goal is achieved, I will separate small amounts of my pay cheques into a "shopping fund" and save up for the clothing items/shopping trips I want! So, another success!

My final challenge was my spending, and it was still a success, but still a work in progress. I have gone over my budgets of 15-20 dollars a month a few times, which is acceptable under some circumstances. Also a lot of my friends birthdays were in February, so I had to of course get them presents! Not to add the few concert tickets I've bought... I've definitely gone over. But I do make sure I'm careful with the spending, and I haven't exceeded my budgets by very much! But of course, cutting down ones spending is not something that happens over night!

All in all, the wallet saver has been a success! I have almost reached my money saving goal, and then afterwards will increase it again and continue the project, but not as strictly!

I hope those of you who are trying the wallet saver as well are just as successful!

saving not spending,
little jo

Do YOUR best

It's still finals week, and I found myself thinking. I've been trying to set myself against everyone else's standards, that being, individuals with crazy marks on exams that I have no idea how they passed. I mean, 100 on an Anatomy midterm? I'm sorry, but I'm not Albert Einstein, and I don't want to be.

I work hard. I slave around my textbooks for hours and only frustrate myself because I can't remember what everyone else can. I throw aside my very hard-earned 70s and beat myself up about it because, god forbid it wasn't an 80 or 90. Maybe I haven't worked as hard as I could, I'll admit that. There have been days where I chose friends over textbooks, but I never regret those days. Even though I'm 18, I'm still a kid. We're all still kids. Sure, legally we're adults but last time I checked it's eight-TEEN. I've realized that maybe, I won't know every single body part and every single disease, but I have the heart for what I'm studying and the passion to save lives and help people. Working myself up about school and marks, it's made me lose sight of why I came into this program in the first place.

I have to do what I AM able to, and not put myself up to anyone else's standards. I'm not a robot, I'm human. And you know what? 70 is the new 80. ;)

miniature vent session?

Sometimes you have to make sacrifices in order to please the people around you,
and something I've been realizing is you can't please everyone. This, however, is difficult for me because I hate making people upset, I hate having people disappointed in me and most of all I hate when people are mad at me. I'm horrible when people are mad at me, because a) I usually forget what I did for them to be mad, and b) I start to get defensive because I have too much pride. It's been getting better though, I apologize for things I do and usually, I try to fix it or make it up to the person.

Something I've also realized, is how different life is out of high school. I know, it's naive of me to say that pretty much 4 months after graduation but I've been realizing it now more than ever. Places I thought I used to fit in so well, now just seem changed and that really, I don't fit is as great as I thought. In high school my friends circle was set. I had a a few that were true, and that I knew I could lean on them. I did have friends in other social circles, and pretty much tried to talk to everyone but overall, I had my little group. Since graduating, the group has gotten smaller, and seemingly divided. Bee talks more to Red and Kels, while I talk daily to Chandelier and Jordy. It's difficult for me, because I usually had all of them to lean back on, and while I still do in a way, most of them don't really know what goes on in my life. It really sucks when you start to not be invited to things that when you were the one planning it, you tried to make sure everyone was included (hey, it wasn't always the case, but I would try). I guess I took for granted the people in my life, although I never meant too. I understand it's apart of growing up, losing people and gaining new ones, but it's hard to deal with, especially when some friends have been there for a really long time.

I know I'll never completely lose ties with my friends, but not talking to them or feeling as if I just don't... fit (for lack of a better word) with them, is a hard pill to swallow. Maybe it's just a phase, since we're all starting a new chapter of our lives, all in different directions... but only time will tell right?

No new beginning, is ever completely new...

I was contemplating on deleting my old blog posts, since I've recently (as in, today) re-discovered my blog. But then I decided, why delete something from my past? The past is my past, and my history makes me who I am today. So therefore, you are all blessed to still see my dirty laundry from high school. Isn't that the most exciting news?!

Let's be honest here for a second. I'm not going to say that I went on some grand adventure, travelling the world and changing my life completely in which made me so busy I couldn't blog about its excitement. No. Pure and simple? I forgot about it...
I realize, it's been since May. But with graduating in June, diploma exams, going on a family vacation to Portugal and then starting University... It completely slipped my mind.

I want to say not much has changed, but in reality it has; it just doesn't seem like it. First of all, I would say the biggest shock is university. Graduation was bittersweet, I loved leaving part of high school behind... but I can't help but sometimes think back to it, and thinking I took its simplicity for granted. I've lost friends, gained some new ones, and strengthened my friendship with old ones, while maybe drifting from others. If that makes any sense, but it's what's happened. University is like a social-life leech. It's a fun-sucker. I have yet to find that "blissful happiness" in writing papers, midterms and being a slave to my textbooks + powerpoints. For those who ask: what am I studying? Let's just say I'm learning how to save your life.

A few blogposts ago, I mentioned New York. However, I did not mention the boy I met there. Let's say, he became more than just a boy to me. Nak and I have been together for 7 months now, and I've never met someone like him. He's amazing, and not even that is the right word to describe him. For friends, I'm still close to most of the girls from high school, primarily sticking to Chandelier, Jordy, Bee, and Red. I love those girls to pieces, even though it can sometimes be a roller-coaster of ups and downs.

Oh, have I also mentioned I turned 18? You can only imagine the crazy encounters or stories I'll have with this... facepalm.
But that's for another blogpost.

here's my song of the day:
Safe by OK Sweetheart

Kill 'em with kindness ;)
little jay