Out with the old

Update on stuff from last week:

  • Health is going OK. Exercising helps quite a lot. Although the staff at the pulmonary rehab program I participated in recommend a minimum of 45 minutes a day 4 days a week, I have been doing 20 minutes a day as often as I can. I figure it's better than not doing it because 45 minutes seems insurmountable and I plan to work my way up again.
  • I'm going to a Navigators prayer retreat in mid-January. I think this will be a great opportunity to meet other like-minded people and examine myself spiritually.
  • I outlined a monthly zero-based budget for January through April. Every cent is allocated to a category, even if it's something like "splurge." I'm going to do an estimated budget at the beginning of the month and an actual at the end. This will also help me keep track of occasional stuff that tends to catch me off guard, like dental work and car insurance. I've decided to take a more balanced approach between investment (Roth IRA primarily) and loan repayment. The loan term is 10 years and is a low rate. The numbers say that one is better off paying a low interest rate loan as it comes due and investing surplus. The human psyche, however, says it feels better not to have debt. I think I can realistically shoot for 5 years and still have a comfortable cushion to invest.
  • I've been a little better about not wasting as much time on the computer but just last night Spider Solitaire found me for about 40 minutes whilst I should have been in bed. Oh well.

My aunt got in yesterday afternoon and I'm picking up one of my cousins at the airport within an hour or so. It should be a fun weekend.

Oh right, I forgot to mention my motorcycle. It sprang a slow oil leak in the spring and I took it out of commission in May right after finals were over. I finally got it back running in early November (almost 6 months to the day later) but it started making a funny noise later that week. I have a sinking feeling that it's a couple loose bolts inside the engine, which means I have to drop it for the third time. Ick. The garage has been occupied and badly cluttered related to our kitchen remodel which has also taken up "tinkering" time. Oh well, it has been pretty dang cold in the mornings anyway and I really do like driving my car - there's something appealing about heat and a stereo.

Yule Blog

Thank you, I'll be here all week.

I suppose the primary reason for the silence over the past several months has been that nothing earth-shattering has happened in my life and I haven't feel like humdrum stuff has been worth blogging about.

I did have my 27th birthday not quite two weeks ago. Somewhat as a result of that and somewhat as a result of feeling like my life has been stagnant for about 6 months and somewhat as a result of a recent valley health-wise and emotionally (which I think I am coming out of in both respects) I have decided to make some personal adjustments (I guess I could call them resolutions, but waiting until January 1 to start to do something worthwhile is stupid and most resolutions are abandoned by early to mid February) in the areas of:

  • Health. I need to intentionally exercise more and eat a heck of a lot if I want to regain weight and wellness. I have been better about getting on the exercise bike and can tell a difference from only a handful of 20-minute days.
  • Social-ness (this is my blog, don't walk all over my English misusage). I have gotten too comfortable just hanging out at home and really should get out with people my age more.
  • Finances. I don't have big problems with money - I pay off my credit card each month and live within my means, but I'm going to be intentional about paying back my undergraduate student loans. I am hoping to do so in two years. I can still live comfortably and accomplish this, but need to cut way back on frivolous spending (eating out or at the cafeteria at work, impulse buying, gadgets, etc.). I am also going to start intentionally budgeting.
  • Entertainment. I spend a lot of time mindlessly browsing the internet. My gaming and TV habits are pretty well managed, but I need to stop getting lost in Wikipedia. I'm going to start reading more and always have a book I'm looking forward to after the one I'm reading. I'd also like to get out and shoot more photography.

I'm looking forward to a pretty low-key Christmas - just immediate family. My aunt and two of her sons are coming for New Year's, which will be fun. I always like hanging out with cousins.

I hope to get back to St. Louis sometime this spring to see my Grandma Pribble and some other cousins.

Oh yeah, one more goal - I want to blog about my progress and my life more. I think that will help me keep tabs on progress in addition to keeping me accountable.