So it has finally happened...I lost my motivation to be a grown up. More and more I find myself wishing and wanting to just go back home. I'm not sure whate brought on this latest case of homesickness but it seems to be sticking.
I used to come home and plan a lovely meal and get cooking, throw in some laundry, tidy up the place. Now, I come home and take a 2 hour nap because I'm so exhausted. And I still go to bed at 11:30-12ish. I'm not sure why I am just so tired all the time. Kunal is tired too..I think we both are worn out from New Jersey. It has yet to grow on either one of use and Kunal's at over 2 years and I'm approaching mine.
To use a term I learn in my literature classes, I think we romanticized "playing house" and now that we are actually in a house with real situations, we realized maybe we weren't as ready as we thought. For example, transferring Kunal's car from SC to NJ. You'd think it would be a quick process since his name is on the title. But no, it's long and complicated and I just don't have the motivation to figure it out. I mean, I just now made a eye doctor appointment, when I was on my very last pair of contacts because I hate doing anything that ties me more to NJ than NC. I still have yet to think about making a dentist appointment. I miss my mom in times like these!
We haven't been out of NJ/the northeast since Christmas. Maybe it finally caught up to us. Missing the south and everything that comes with it, our families, friends, the food, just everything. I'm hopefully our summer of travelling and spending time with lots of family and friends will liven us up and give us our second wind. Don't get me wrong, we have family and friends up here, but it's just not the same as home. Everything is different back home, it's just more laid back, fun, familiar. What we really need right now is a big dose of home.
Right now life just isn't has fun. My biggest accomplishment this week was actually making dinner 4 nights in a row. Being homesick makes me not want to do anything...except crave my mom's food. It's weird to be homesick because I was always the type to never get homesick while in school. Although considering "home" was always a quick 30 minute drive always helped.
Grown up world : 3 Me: 0
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Cutting the Cord
One less thing tying to me to my parents. One step closer to becoming self-sufficient. I finally purchased a NJ auto insurance policy. Now if you know me, of course I had to do go baby steps with it. Kunal, myself, and his car are on this policy and it's already a pretty penny! My car has to wait until we transfer the title from my father's name to mine. Can't imagine how expensive it will be then! The price was reasonable until I gave our license numbers and my fun little speeding ticket from September 2010 popped up and hiked it up. =(
Other than my car, the only thing my parents pay for is my cell phone bill....but I know those days are numbered too. As soon as my contract is up, I am definitely getting rid of Sprint and moving on to the bigger, better Verizon network. And I'm taking my dad with me! Figured he supported my phone habit for the past 9 years, the least I can do it pay for his phone now.
Being a grown up sucks right now. I feel like there is a constant stream of bills to pay and I can't just transfer a whole paycheck to my savings as often as I did before. My savings isn't growing as quickly as I would like and it is not cool. By the time I am done alloting one paycheck to bills and savings, I'm already thinking of what I can use the next one for! We have way too many things to pay off right now so I always think twice when I want to make frivolous purchases. There is still so much I want to do decorating-wise but feel like I need to wait until we have our money under more control. This is super hard becuase I want a lamp here, a bookself there, a storage cabinet in the garage and it all has to wait! My inner creativity is screaming at being held back.
Grown up world : 2 Me: 0
Other than my car, the only thing my parents pay for is my cell phone bill....but I know those days are numbered too. As soon as my contract is up, I am definitely getting rid of Sprint and moving on to the bigger, better Verizon network. And I'm taking my dad with me! Figured he supported my phone habit for the past 9 years, the least I can do it pay for his phone now.
Being a grown up sucks right now. I feel like there is a constant stream of bills to pay and I can't just transfer a whole paycheck to my savings as often as I did before. My savings isn't growing as quickly as I would like and it is not cool. By the time I am done alloting one paycheck to bills and savings, I'm already thinking of what I can use the next one for! We have way too many things to pay off right now so I always think twice when I want to make frivolous purchases. There is still so much I want to do decorating-wise but feel like I need to wait until we have our money under more control. This is super hard becuase I want a lamp here, a bookself there, a storage cabinet in the garage and it all has to wait! My inner creativity is screaming at being held back.
Grown up world : 2 Me: 0
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Dinner Parties
One of the things I was most looking forward to when we moved was hosting dinner parties. I absolutely love having people over, cooking a (hopefully) delicious meal, and playing the role of hostess. We are having our very first major party this Saturday and I am beyond excited for it. Last week, I decided to invite a couple of friends over for a pseudo-Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving is my favorite time to eat and I was really missing the food. I made a turkey breast roast in my slow cooker, whipped up some spicy corn soup, made stuffing, and of course had string beans. I wish I could have made macaroni and mashed potatoes but I was working with a limited pantry of supplies. The meal turned out well, granted it was only for 4 people but baby steps in the right direction.
Then this past Friday, I invited my aunt, her family and a couple of friends over for dinner since my sister and brother-in-law were in town. I was very excited to grill or rather have Kunal grill the food I prepared. I went from 4 people to 10 people. It was a good time though. We made Mexican style shrimp and chicken kebabs as appetizer and fajitas for dinner. Definitely learned a few things but I feel pretty ready for having a mass quantity of people over this weekend. I realized that I cannot partake in the multiple glasses of margaritas as that will lead to being lazy when it comes to cleaning up. This makes for a not so fun morning when walking into a messy kitchen. I should also prepare everything possible the night before so I'm not stuck getting food ready while everyone else is socializing.
My biggest flaw in the kitchen is that I cannot bake/make any dessert items. I tried making a cookie cake once and it turned out harder than a brick! I guess now that I have everything else down to a science, I can concentrate on sweets so I don't have to feed my guests cake and ice cream from the store.
Then this past Friday, I invited my aunt, her family and a couple of friends over for dinner since my sister and brother-in-law were in town. I was very excited to grill or rather have Kunal grill the food I prepared. I went from 4 people to 10 people. It was a good time though. We made Mexican style shrimp and chicken kebabs as appetizer and fajitas for dinner. Definitely learned a few things but I feel pretty ready for having a mass quantity of people over this weekend. I realized that I cannot partake in the multiple glasses of margaritas as that will lead to being lazy when it comes to cleaning up. This makes for a not so fun morning when walking into a messy kitchen. I should also prepare everything possible the night before so I'm not stuck getting food ready while everyone else is socializing.
My biggest flaw in the kitchen is that I cannot bake/make any dessert items. I tried making a cookie cake once and it turned out harder than a brick! I guess now that I have everything else down to a science, I can concentrate on sweets so I don't have to feed my guests cake and ice cream from the store.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Low Blow NJ, Low Blow
One of the most shocking things happened. Our car was stolen! Right out of our driveway! On a rainy Sunday night. Who does that???? Seriously one of the unsettling feeling I have had in a LONG time. I know I am melo-dramatic in general but this is crazy! I don't even feel safe in my home anymore when I'm alone..which has been never since we discovered the missing car. It's tragic to go from loving to come home, not caring if I'm alone to being extremely paranoid. I'm getting my car rekeyed tomorrow since there was a spare key in Kunal's. Hopefully that will be make me feel safer if there is no possible way anyone but me can get into my car.
On Monday, when this happened, I was just about ready to call it quits and figure out a way to move back home. NJ is definitely not like home and things like this definitely do not help make us feel any differently about this state. I keep telling myself it could have been worse, but this is still really sucky, sorry to sound like a middle schooler, but there isn't a better word for this situation. At least we have each other, to help with the homesickness, the problems that arise, the loneliness we feel. Who know how either one of us would have reacted if we were alone in this situation.
If there's a lesson we could learn from this, it's always double check the doors, never keep anything important in a car, and that it's us against the world. Knowing we have each other helps with the hardships of being so far away from everything and everyone we love. To quote a song by Tynisha Keli (that I just googled, haven't heard) yet, "Baby it 's you and me against the world It's ride or die till the very end."
On Monday, when this happened, I was just about ready to call it quits and figure out a way to move back home. NJ is definitely not like home and things like this definitely do not help make us feel any differently about this state. I keep telling myself it could have been worse, but this is still really sucky, sorry to sound like a middle schooler, but there isn't a better word for this situation. At least we have each other, to help with the homesickness, the problems that arise, the loneliness we feel. Who know how either one of us would have reacted if we were alone in this situation.
If there's a lesson we could learn from this, it's always double check the doors, never keep anything important in a car, and that it's us against the world. Knowing we have each other helps with the hardships of being so far away from everything and everyone we love. To quote a song by Tynisha Keli (that I just googled, haven't heard) yet, "Baby it 's you and me against the world It's ride or die till the very end."
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Family Visits
"Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city." Chaos is what happens when they come to visit.
This past weekend, Kunal and I solidified our grown up game by having a katha to bless our new home. I grew up with my family having kathas on a regular basis, especially when someone would move to a new place and that was something I wanted to continue. Granted Kunal and I had no idea what was going on or what we were saying as we poured water, flower petals, and rice over statues of deities. It was fun though, the mahraj understood we were newbies and was very patient with us. He explained what each thing signified so we weren't completely lost. While my legs lost feeling a few times, it was a good experience.
For the katha, our families came in from out of town and of course, stayed with us. There were a total of 10 people who somehow managed to fit and sleep somewhat comfortably. It was a huge slumber party that was super fun. We stayed up late, talked, joked, ate, the works. It was just want I needed after being miserable and homesick for the previous few weeks. Our dads joined forces and tackled our handyman problems like switching the electrical outlets and light switches. They put up a new light fixture in the kitchen, installed new shower heads, etc. It was great! Our moms made chai, cleaned, handled the kitchen. It was a nice break.
Kunal's cousin came with her daughter and it was fun having a little rugrat running around. She's quite adorable. Having everyone here really did put the icing on the cake of having the house feel like a home. I mean, we've had friends over but it's just not the same until you pack as many family members as possible for a weekend. Granted, we won't have this many people over for a long, long time, it was a great way to break in our home.
This past weekend, Kunal and I solidified our grown up game by having a katha to bless our new home. I grew up with my family having kathas on a regular basis, especially when someone would move to a new place and that was something I wanted to continue. Granted Kunal and I had no idea what was going on or what we were saying as we poured water, flower petals, and rice over statues of deities. It was fun though, the mahraj understood we were newbies and was very patient with us. He explained what each thing signified so we weren't completely lost. While my legs lost feeling a few times, it was a good experience.
For the katha, our families came in from out of town and of course, stayed with us. There were a total of 10 people who somehow managed to fit and sleep somewhat comfortably. It was a huge slumber party that was super fun. We stayed up late, talked, joked, ate, the works. It was just want I needed after being miserable and homesick for the previous few weeks. Our dads joined forces and tackled our handyman problems like switching the electrical outlets and light switches. They put up a new light fixture in the kitchen, installed new shower heads, etc. It was great! Our moms made chai, cleaned, handled the kitchen. It was a nice break.
Kunal's cousin came with her daughter and it was fun having a little rugrat running around. She's quite adorable. Having everyone here really did put the icing on the cake of having the house feel like a home. I mean, we've had friends over but it's just not the same until you pack as many family members as possible for a weekend. Granted, we won't have this many people over for a long, long time, it was a great way to break in our home.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Home Improvement Week
Well, it's only been a week into April even though it feels like a month. It's with much surprise that I can say the majority of our home improvement goals are done. I think we were still in the honeymoon stage of first time home ownership and we really wanted to do everything ourselves. After painting two walls, we quickly grew out of it. The next time we decide to paint, we're going to hire someone. I don't think it would have been SO bad if the previous owners did a decent job painting. All the light switches, outlets, trim, doors, hinges were ALL painted. Who paints over an electrical outlet? It was a big pain have to pry off the outlet plates. All the tedious tasks like that really burst our DIY bubble and make painting such a cynical chore. Luckily, we only have one wall of trim left to do in the guestroom and we'll be DONE!
I am quite pleased to say the new paint looks GREAT! I was apprehensive about Kunal's accent wall idea, but I really do like it. Definitely gives the room that wow factor. The only problem is that I'm not sure how to decorate it. Small battle to be dealt with later. We went furniture shopping so our home is completely furnished. I'm in love with our couch. I have designated "my spot" and when Kunal sits there, I channel a little bit of Sheldon from "The Big Bang Theory" and get possessive. I'm sitting it in as I type. You have to see it, it's quite perfect. I took a nap in my spot yesterday, super comfy.
Once we are done with the trim, we just have to organize the dressers and bed, then we'll be completely done! I cannot wait for friends and family to come visit our new place. Especially since it is more and more like a home than ever before.
The rest of the month will be dedicated to putting the finishing touches everywhere. This will be a nice relaxing thing versus the agony of finalizing paint colors we both like. Or deciding between black and brown furniture. Sigh..the joys and pains of home ownership.
I am quite pleased to say the new paint looks GREAT! I was apprehensive about Kunal's accent wall idea, but I really do like it. Definitely gives the room that wow factor. The only problem is that I'm not sure how to decorate it. Small battle to be dealt with later. We went furniture shopping so our home is completely furnished. I'm in love with our couch. I have designated "my spot" and when Kunal sits there, I channel a little bit of Sheldon from "The Big Bang Theory" and get possessive. I'm sitting it in as I type. You have to see it, it's quite perfect. I took a nap in my spot yesterday, super comfy.
Once we are done with the trim, we just have to organize the dressers and bed, then we'll be completely done! I cannot wait for friends and family to come visit our new place. Especially since it is more and more like a home than ever before.
The rest of the month will be dedicated to putting the finishing touches everywhere. This will be a nice relaxing thing versus the agony of finalizing paint colors we both like. Or deciding between black and brown furniture. Sigh..the joys and pains of home ownership.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Car Insurance
The time has come. I am in the process of finally leaving the comfort of my parents' auto insurance to embark on a policy of my own. I never realized how expensive it would be. I would move to the only state where EVERYTHING is expensive. The latest quote I received for just me and my car was $1544/yr! that's almost as much as my parents pay for 3 drivers and 3 cars!!! Talk about crazy.
Alas, now that I'm a grown up, it is time to wean myself off of my parents support. First car insurance..then cell phone! Wish it was the other way around. I am itching to get a new phone, the iPhone to be precise and cannot wait until December when my contract is over. Okay back to topic.
Everyone says I should get auto insurance from the same person I have homeowner's insurance from. But I'm not so sure, I know that I get a discount but I feel like some insurance companie are better than other in regards to specific things. Don't want to name any names but I think I'll have to shop around a bit to get the coverage I want for the price I want. Our bills have definitely increased while our paychecks haven't. It's a bummer to not have as much disposable income as we're used to. But it's something we'll work on, we don't necessarily need to go shopping every weekend or out to dinner 2-3 nights a week.
Alas, now that I'm a grown up, it is time to wean myself off of my parents support. First car insurance..then cell phone! Wish it was the other way around. I am itching to get a new phone, the iPhone to be precise and cannot wait until December when my contract is over. Okay back to topic.
Everyone says I should get auto insurance from the same person I have homeowner's insurance from. But I'm not so sure, I know that I get a discount but I feel like some insurance companie are better than other in regards to specific things. Don't want to name any names but I think I'll have to shop around a bit to get the coverage I want for the price I want. Our bills have definitely increased while our paychecks haven't. It's a bummer to not have as much disposable income as we're used to. But it's something we'll work on, we don't necessarily need to go shopping every weekend or out to dinner 2-3 nights a week.
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