Moving Out: Moving In

So, we've been in the apartment for almost a week - and we've made so much progress, but it feels like so little has been done! It took us both about three days of sleeping on the floor before we could finally move our beds in, and not without labor pains. The floorplan includes stairs at the entryway - which definitely proved difficult for us to maneuver the beds up into the apartment. Of course, we managed to "get 'er done,' and neither of us have to camp out on the floor.

My wife left me for the weekend, so I took the liberty of trying to unpack some of my stuff and get the place in order while she was gone. That - didn't seem to go so well. I still have boxes strewn everywhere, and I was getting dressed in the dark until I finally got the time to go buy a lamp. Still pulling my clothes out of boxes to dress for school, though. That's gonna be a whole day's challenge.

We purchased some cheap plate set from {TheStoreThatShallNotBeNamed} to last us for a while, but I realized that when we finally got pots and pans, hot food would not survive (and could potentially kill us from the leeching plastic) on those flimflam plates. Somehow, CousinJin, CousinJan and I managed to make it to IKEA with minutes to spare, and grabbed up the basics - dish set, utensil set and finally - pots and pans!!


I ran home and made our first meal in our place together. It was delicious, and it felt so good to sit around and shoot the breeze, in our plastic patio chairs placed strategically in the dining area. Not to worry, living room furniture will be here soon, but everything in due time...

I think I'm most comfortable here because very little people know where I live. I want to keep it this way. I'm tired of the whole stalker thing - it seems I gain a new one every few years or so. I find solace in this place. Maybe that's why I've been sleeping so well for the past few days. ::shrug:: I dunno. We'll see. But for now - I'm enjoying everything that comes my way.


Can't wait for my wife to come home today!! Eeek - who needs boys??

Lexus LFA? Cheque, please!

This is outrageous. As bad as Lexus wants respect in the luxury industry - they're making it increasingly difficult for anyone to afford their performance vehicles.


((Link Via - jalopnik.com))

Lexus will lease, not sell, the $375,000 LFA supercar. But after seeing details of how the lease works it sounds like a pain in the ass. $12,400 monthly payments? One low $298,000 payment? That's just the start.

The whole point of the Lexus LFA is to alter the way the mega rich and therefore their inferiors, think about Lexus. It's the first step in transforming the brand from a Toyota with leather to a genuine international competitor for BMW and Mercedes. The problem is, desirable supercars like the LFA tend to get snapped up by speculators, not end users and that throws a major wrench in Lexus' plan to woo the wealthy. Buying from Jimmy the Greek won't give customers the chance to get the full Lexus experience.

Which leads us to an incredibly complicated lease process that sounds like it'll put off as many customers as it'll save from the speculators. But, the positive side is you'll get to have your choice in making a truly bespoke experience (Autoblog has more details on, well, the options details). We've focused on the nine-step process behind leasing an LFA below:

Step One: If you've lodged interest in the LFA, you might be contacted between March and June and given the chance to buy a place on the list. Might be contacted. You'll then have 10 days to put your name on said list.

Step Two: Place a $10,000 deposit with Lexus that signs you up for an initial credit check.

Step Three: If your initial credit report comes up clean, you'll then be asked to place a $50,000 deposit. Congratulations, you can now order your car. Base price: $375,000. Options: extra.

Step Four: Wait until some unspecified time during 2011, production of all 500 LFAs will take place throughout next year.

Step Five: Once your car's ready for delivery, you'll need to start paying the lease. But wait, Lexus wants that $12,400 monthly payment up front. No, not at the beginning of the month, the whole 24 months' worth of payments up front. $298,000 please.

Step Six: Undergo a final credit check.

Step Seven: Present proof of insurance, which you're expected to retain throughout the lease term.

Step Eight: Receive your, well, Lexus Financial Service's, new LFA. Congratulations on your excellent taste in refined track-focussed supercars.

Step Nine: Still interested in owning one? Well, at the end of 24 months, it's all yours for the low, low price of $93,750.

Now you'd be hard pressed to find bigger fans of the LFA's formula-like driving experience than us, but for this amount of hassle we'd be sorely tempted to simply take a suitcase full of $103,300 in cash we don't have to a Chevy dealer, who'd be happy to sign over a ZR1 without any further questions asked.

 After all the steps it takes to acquire an LFA - I'd definitely spring for my dream car - the Nissan Skyline GT. I'll definitely pass, Toyota - I mean, err - Lexus. 

Moving Out

So - apparently - they thought we were joking.


CousinJan and I have been planning to move into our own place for over a year. When things fell through with me and "Him," I realized that I didn't want to live completely alone just yet, and a total stranger would not be an option. Fortunately for me, Jan had the same desire to move out as I did - and so we made it happen. I've been working like a fiend, overtime, bonuses - to get into this place. We had to kiss a few frogs before we found our prince, but we encountered a place that's perfect for us right now. 


A lot of times, people get caught up in the excitement of moving out of their parents' house, and they rush into things they can't handle. I'm proud to say that we took our time. We checked out quite a few scenarios before we came to this point, and boy was it a roller coaster. Excitement and disappointment (Repeat x3) - until we stopped and took a break. 


This complex is awesome. It's in a quiet location, but close enough to the hood for us to feel comfortable. The problem that I had with living in "Hicktown" was that there were few people my age and the ones that were there were crazy pothead rich kids. Most of the adults there are ignorant and rude, and they made living there downright uncomfortable. Not to mention I was far away from everything. Now we're in a central location, walking distance from any shop we want - and we even have a strip club up the street!! Can't complain about that. 


Let's see what happens when the honeymoon's over...


I see nothing but good things for us. My parents were a bit saddened because I was leaving - but even my mom said I'm late in the game as far as moving out goes. I think they've realized that I prove myself to be a responsible individual as the years go by, and I won't do anything do jeopardize my future if I don't think the risk is worth it. I know what opportunities are afforded to my by living on my own - and I plan to capitalize on all of that. Give me a month or two - and I'll be on an ubergrind. I've always been about my business, and it won't stop now. I'm hungrier than I've ever been. Can't explain it. Just am. 


We've spent the past few nights sleeping on the floor - because our mover did us dirty and we couldn't get our beds or other furniture. I only allow myself two days off a week - so tomorrow I'm gonna be our manpower and I'll be moving everything with my little brother. I've enjoyed these nights - sipping wine out of plastic cups, listening to music on our laptops, laughing, giggling in our undies. These are the things I've wanted to do for years - and I'm finally able to do so. If the world ends in 2012 (giggle), I have to make sure I've live a fulfilled life. No regrets, nothing missed out on. I'm happy right now, and it took a long time to get here.


My advice to anyone trying to move out on their own - do your homework!! Calculate your expenses, save - save - SAVE! You can never store enough money in the bank. Rainy days come quick and heavy. Minimize your spending so that you know what it's like to live on a budget. We can front all we want, but as college students, especially us independent ones - we all hurt for money at one point or another. No one walks out of high school and lands cushy jobs AND pays rent, light, water, cable without some sort of struggle. I doubt there'll be any new sneakers or shoes for the next month or so - not because I can't afford to, but because I want to make sure I can afford other luxuries and necessities before anything else. I won't be that kid with the nice clothes and shoes, but no living room furniture. I refuse to be that kid with the new rims - with a 19" tv in my living room. I've got plans. And I'm going to execute them in a timely and orderly fashion. By housewarming, we should be in full swing. Boy am I ready to host a party! 


{{Does the Cabbage Patch}} - I really have my own place!! 

Glory to God for allowing such a thing to take place. We all know he did the heavy work, and I'm not afraid to say it. 

Heartache 2.0 - "Let Go"

So, We spoke the other day. It was supposed to be a simple "how are things?" conversation. 


Somehow we end up on the conversation of me seeing someone. I'm not gonna lie to him. I'm an adult. So I told him - yes, I am talking to somebody.


"You're WHAT?" As I hear his jaw clench through the phone.


Are you serious? C'mon son.


Like I don't know you're out there living your life. Like you didn't tell me about the girls you've been with - and I can't talk to one dude? Am I not allowed to be happy?


Why is it so hard for people to come to terms with a breakup? It took me a while, but I am getting over it. One night, I woke up - and realized he still wasn't laying next to me. I accepted the fact that we weren't "us" anymore. And now, I do my best to move forward. He was so distraught - to think that I'm sharing my love with a man other than him. How crazy and unthinkable is that, huh? 


I guess I should just stay alone. I guess I should lay in bed at night, with no one to converse and giggle with - while he's out there baggin' chicks and gettin new numbers and whatever else he's doing. I deserve to be by myself - right? Yeah right.


I no longer live for him. I'm doing my best to take care of my own life and stop worrying about him. I think about him, and I wonder if he's taking care of himself - but I realize, that's not my job anymore. Therefore, I don't have to. Therefore - I won't. 


I know he's hurt, but so was I when I realized he was on to the next girl. At least I'm up front and honest with mine. Didn't have to find it out via Facebook. Ugh. Technology. 


Venting. Feels good. Sleepy now, Good night...

The Insomniophiles = Late Night Blogging - Poetry

I title this one, "Untitled" - for you. 


They say it's in the eye of the beholder,
and through your soul, I see
The perfection of your beauty.
You cry without tears, you scream
without a sound.
I feel your pain from worlds away.
You mask your feelings, yet I see
the sorrow in your eyes - 
how I wonder what they wish to tell.
You are surrounded by companions, 
yet constantly alone.
On the inside - in your mind - your heart,
you kneel in the corner of your brain - 
screaming, pleading for understanding.
Not a sound from your mouth - 
tears expressed through physical emotion.
I understand.
Hit, slap, scream to me. 
I want to know your thoughts. 
The answer at the bottom of the bottle. 
Let the rain fall from your eyes, 
let the thunder roll from your lips.
Move mountains with your strength.
Ease the tension of your heart.
Dance, spin, jump.
Release the demons of your past - 
and free your future. 
Smile, laugh, love.
Be who you want - let no one suppress your spirit.
Live, love - let go. 

Marvin Gaye - "I Want You"

I want you the right way
I want you
But I want you to want me too
Want you to want me, baby
Just like I want you

I give you all the love I want in return sweet darlin'
But half a love is all I feel
It's too bad,It's just too sad
You don't want me now
But I'm gonna change your mind
Someway,somehow,oh baby

Repeat

This one way loveis just a fantasy, oh sugar
To share is precious,pure and fair
Don't play with something you should cherish for life,oh baby
Don't you wanna care
Aint it lonely out there

Repeat

Repeat and fade 


Marvin just had this way of bringing his feelings through the words. He didn't really need to stress the notes or anything - just listen to how he says "I'm gonna change your mind someway, somehow..." I can feel the desperation he was going through. 


I want you the right way - I won't fight for you, over you, with you. If you want to be here, you'll find your way here. Period. I have men crawling over each other to get my attention - and for some crazy reason - I only have eyes for you. I'm trying so hard to get you out of my mind. Get you out of my world. But I can't. I don't want to. I just want to know that you feel the same way. That's all I want. I can't stay in limbo forever. I won't. 


And you want me - I know you do. I can see it in your eyes, feel it in your touch; the way you squeeze my knee as we drive, the way you rub my hand softly with your thumb. It's there. But how much? For how long? I feel like the only one when I'm around - but... You know what the but means. 


I wish "out of sight, out of mind" actually worked, but even when  I lay down at night - you pop into my head. You make it that way. Is this how you want me to be?


Do you want me to long for you? To wish you were laying next to me? To dream about you at night? Do you want me to worry about you - pray for you - smile when I think about you? 


Do you?


Enough of what's in my head - it's time I find out what YOU want. 


Whenever you're ready. I'm listening. 

The Insomniophiles = Late Night Blogging - "Movin' Out"

So, there are officially four more days until my move-in date into our new apartment - and I can't lie - I am stoked. I guess that's a part of the reason why I can't sleep, but most of that is because there's so much floating through my head. Thank God for good friends. They keep me (partially) sane. 


My parents gave me their blessings on the move out, and I am happy that they have come to terms with the fact that I'm going to be on my own. I need this. I need privacy, I need space. I need places to put my own things. I need to feel comfortable leaving my shoes at the door, or walking around naked without unknown company coming over. I deserve it. I deserve the convenience of living closer to school. My father doesn't understand that aspect, but that's because he's not experiencing it. Luckily for me, though - he's become more overstanding throughout the years. He's stopped trying to control us, and started trying to figure us out. I appreciate that. 


I think know I've been a very responsible young lady throughout my life. I've kept a steady job since I was twelve - yes, twelve years old. I started out babysitting and ended up becoming a supervisor in one of the Best Companies to Work for. I am proud of myself. I work hard. There's so many aspects of life that I have yet to experience, and I'm finally gonna take on a new chapter in my life. I'm ready. We're never fully prepared for what's in our future - but how can we be? How can we prepare ourselves without experience? And how can we experience without some sort of preparation? That's one of the conundrums of life, I suppose. 


I wonder how living on my own will affect my social life. My love life. My academic life. Paying all the bills, having all the responsibility. It's a daunting task - but I honestly think I'm built for survival. All the things I've truly wanted in life - I worked to earn. I wanted other cars, I hustled til I could get them. I wanted certain jobs, I shined to get through the interviews. My family is a line of tough people - what would make me any different? I just hope my parents know that they armed me to shoot for the best - and I plan on hitting my marks. 


I ask God for his blessing everyday - because I need him most right about now. He's the one who knows how things will turn out. Just gotta wait and see what's next. Pray for me!