One year later....

I just realized that it is my one year blogoversary today.  What better way to celebrate than to summarize the beautiful, crappy, exciting, sexy, and sad things that happened since the inception (no, not the movie) of this Survival Guide along with the things I have learned since then.

A year ago, I was researching my first apartment, and was in a complicated open relationship with my ex-boyfriend Sebastian. Sebastian became a character in this blog and garnered the affection and approval of quite a few readers even though he was very difficult to deal with.  He had excess baggage from his previous marriage, a lot of which carried over into our time.

I didn't speak up enough in the very beginning, but in time, I learned to voice out my concerns and frustrations with the help and support of you, my readers.

Even though I still hold some anger towards Sebastian, it is only because the end came before I wanted it.  Sebastian had always been a gentleman and I can't badmouth him. Things didn't work out between us, but he was great, unfortunately.

During the year, I also managed to go to Europe for a dozen days and explore other cultures. I experienced new things with Sebastian, and visited new places as well.

I also managed to go back to school and continue with the prerequesites for Business Administration. I lost my job at the construction company, and was dumped by Sebastian within the same time period.

I had my grieving period and started dating again- most of which have not managed to outlast the dreaded 2-week period [sigh].

Since Sebastian, I became involved with a few guys where it didn't quite work out. I wasn't romanced and pursued and quickly lost interest in the potential candidates.

I began a new job which showed me how to be part of a bigger team and feel much more appreciated than before. I learned to like and dislike the benefits of being single.

It's been an eventful year so far, and I really have no idea what's on my plate in my personal life from here on out.

The only thing I've got looking up for me is my next planned vacation during Thanksgiving Break: Chile and Peru, here I come!

On a special note:
To my subscribed readers and frequent visitors:

Thank you in the USA to : L.A., Modesto, Alameda, San Fran, Austin, Bourbonnais, Chicago, Racine, New York, Brooklyn, Pinellas Park, Lutz, Greensboro, Bellingham, Minneapolis, Dayton, Nashville, Atlanta, Portland, Phoenix, Midvale, and of course HOUSTON.

Canada: Saskatoon, Toronto and Don Mills

England= my favorite group of people!!: London, Wigan, Bootle, Liverpool, Canterbury, and Manchester

Norway: Bergen and Stavanger

Germany: Cologne, Berlin and Munich

Australia: Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide

and special recognition in : Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Russia, Poland, Philippines, India, Japan, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil and Chile

This blog is for you.
Thank you.

He wants to move

Sebastian lives 30 miles from me. It doesn't seem like a lot, but I know he's not 10 minutes away. Usually, it takes me about 40 minutes to get to his place. And when done 2-3 times a week, it adds up on my gas costs.

As I was talking to Sebastian one night, I told him "I wish you didn't live so far! It takes forever to get to your place. I love my area. I've got Walmart, Target, Randall's, HEB, (2 grocery stores) and CVS and Walgreens within ONE block of my apartment, you know that!"

"I knoooow........" he said "whiningly". "Ok, I guess I'll move out once my lease expires and my job moves back into downtown. There really won't be a reason to be all the way up North."

After Hurricane Ike in September 2008, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank moved some of their departments from downtown into the North after the building on Main Street sustained heavy damage against the Category 1 hurricane. One year later, and they are still at their offsite.

Sebastian continued saying "And who knows, maybe I'll even move into your complex and then we'll be thisclose. Your apartment is sooooo much better than mine."

Or we could move in together........

I thought about the prospect. One master bedroom and an extra room to accomodate our stuff. It would definitely save us on rent right?

I quietly mulled it over but didn't say anything out loud. I feel that as soon as I inquire about something that is very beneficial and positive to me, it turns out to be a complete negative pull for him.

We spend most of our weekends together now, and if we didn't live so far from each other, we could possibly see each other more often; even if he does go to the gym during the week, I could still spend time at his place doing some writing until he comes back that night.....

He has even suggested we work out together.

And this morning, I found myself thinking about it again, just to kill time.

Then I realized, No. It would most likely not happen. While I enjoy his company, and he enjoys mine (or at least I hope he does!) I can't help but feel a little anxiety to know that the freedom would be gone if we lived together. I would no longer be able to leave late at night at a moment's notice. In my opinion, there'd be boundaries, and certain rules that must be set prior to moving in.

However, I don't feel like I'd be the nagging one. Even if we  happened to turn into an exclusive item some day, it wouldn't bother me to clean up after the both of us. It's actually relaxing to me, almost therapeutic.

Hmmm.... interesting thought....... I guess we'll cross that bridge if we ever get to that canal.

The reason I moved out

It was the beginning of 2009, and after 2 1/2 years of being single, I finally decided I wanted to start looking for someone. I was oblivious to the dating world, but that's for another blog. I was in my last semester at Houston Community College, ready to graduate with my Associate of Art's Degree in May.

And I was still living at home. At 24 years old.

My parents are still married and together, but my father has been working out in California since 2008 where he has his own business. My mom works here for minimum wage at a distribution center. I have twin sisters who are 9 years old.

For 1 1/2 years, I went to school on weekends and followed my courses online, all while managing a social life- or at least attempting to. It didn't bother me too much that I was doing classes on Saturdays and Sundays because I wasn't partying it up every weekend. I actually preferred one-day-a-week courses because it was easier for me to study.

But then I became unhappier. While my mom worked the graveyard shift (and still does, and I'll explain how in a bit) I had to stay home and watch my sisters. She would start work at 5pm, and my work schedule was 8am to 4pm. I didn't take a lunch so that I would work 8 hours and leave to make it in just as my mom was leaving for her work around 4:45pm. We hardly saw each other during the week. I would see her on the weekends after my classes were over, but most of the time, we communicated through post-it notes on the kitchen counters, mirrors, and microwave.

I was sad. My mom wasn't around anymore, and I was also unhappy that I had to spend every single weeknight cooped up at home. I couldn't go out. I could only go out on Saturday nights because my Sunday classes started a bit later.

My sisters were also very difficult (they still are, but my mom has to deal with them now.) I didn't like doing errands with them because they would become irritable if I spent too much time in a store. The only time they were manageable was when they were doing something they wanted- like the playground at the mall, but other than that, they were always running around the aisles, screaming and fighting in the stores making a mess.

It was embarassing, and it got to the point where I despised having to make a quick run anywhere with them if I was out of something. They were too young and I couldn't leave them home alone.

I often talked with my friend/coworker Jennifer about my stress in my home life. And even though I complained a lot, I always came to the conclusion that it was balanced out. I didn't pay rent, and my parents had a stay-at-home babysitter. 

But one day,Jennifer finally laid out the cherry on the cake. "You can't keep living for your parents. You're unhappy just by going home. They're the ones who had the children, let them take the responsibility! They're not your kids."

I always tried to defend my family, because it felt like a personal attack when they talked about them, and I always said  "But family is family, and we need to help each other out. They need me just as much as I need them... so I guess that makes it even."

"No, it's not. You need to be able to live your own life. You're 24 years old! You need to be able to do whatever you want. If one day you want to go grab an ice cream, or go watch a movie with a friend- you need to be able to do that, not say 'Oh, I can't. I have to watch my sisters' " she argued.

I just looked at her, trying to take it all in. Then, I started thinking.

It was true. I couldn't make any plans during the week. I was already committed to my sisters.

And I was so unhappy, frustrated, angry and taking it out on my mom and the twins.

Around the same time, I met Sebastian, and I opened up to him about my situation. He didn't seem to mind because we were spending the weekends together after my classes were over. At a certain point, it was enough. But there were some activities that took place during the week, and I couldn't take part. Sebastian was very understanding, and luckily, he loved children, so he actually liked being with my sisters.

We all went out to restaurants and shopping a few times because he knew that if my sisters couldn't go, I couldn't also. It was important for me to find someone who was compatible with my sisters even if I wasn't with the girls. It was almost a necessity that the person I hang out with not be annoyed by their behavior. Plus, it led me to believe that the person was truly interested in hanging out with me and them. Not many people would want kids in the package.

So during the 4 months we were together, I lazily searched for my new apartment. We visited a few complexes together, but never really found one that wowed me. After we broke up, Sebastian assumed I wouldn't move out because we weren't dating. I decided to prove him wrong and show that I was still committed to taking the next step to independence.

My parents weren't extremely supportive of my decision to move out, but they couldn't stop me either. My uncle told me they believed I was moving out with Sebastian. I never considered it. My mother was lost as to how she was going to manage working and caring for my sisters, and while my father said that I should take this next step in my life, I shouldn't rush out of the house since no one was forcing me to go. They both considered it a waste of money deciding to move out because I had a roof and food readily available at home. (About the time I started dating Sebastian, I began paying them $300 to help a little with costs. I only got to pay them for about 4 months, because my mom told me to save the money for when I would be moving out that summer.)

Nonetheless, the day I decided to make the move, I knew I was making a good decision. My relationship with my mom and sisters had begun deteriorating because I was tired of babysitting the girls. I had begun lashing out and was stressed at work because I had to leave at 4pm everyday even when my tasks weren't complete. I came to the conclusion that by leaving the household, I was saving my relationship with my family. I would be happier on my own and able to enjoy spending time with them when I visited.

My grandma arrived from Europe two weeks before I moved out. She's staying until November, while my mother continues to work. Everyone has asked me what my mom will do after my grandmother leaves, and I have no idea. My assumption is that she won't work anymore, but I can't feel guilty anymore. If I feel guilty, then I become unhappy. And when I'm unhappy, I become depressed and lash out. At this point in my life, I have to start taking care of myself first rather than my parents' situation. I wasn't the one to make the decision to come to Texas. I merely tagged along. I keep telling myself that if I'd stayed in California, they would have managed without me just fine, so why do I have to worry they won't make it without me now that things didn't work out?

Maybe it's selfish, I don't know. Jennifer reminded me that I wasn't the one with daughters- they were. It wasn't my responsibility to take care of them as if they were. It was selfish of them to assume that I didn't mind taking care of them.

"How are you on your own?"

A few people were worried and concerned when I announced that I would be moving out. Those people were my parents, my coworkers and my friends. Sebastian was very confident that I would be able to manage and I was somewhat sure that I would be too.

It's been two weeks since I've flown the nest, only to be replaced by two adorable chicks- chickens that is. I love animals and it filled my heart with glee when I found out that my sisters had "found" two chicks one day at the park. I've always wanted chickens, even though I know they are a mess to handle. Plus, there's the added surprise of not knowing which sex you have until the male decides to crow at sunrise. I went by early this week to see them, but I couldn't get too close since I was sick with my cold. (update: 17 days after exposure, I still have minor phlegm.)

I talked to one of my hot vendors yesterday, and he asked me how living alone was going. I couldn't help but smile and say that it was going great. He wondered if I'd been okay since the move, and I couldn't admit that I hadn't spent much time at my new pad alone. Truth is, the reason why it has been going great, and why I haven't broken down yet is because I've been spending every other day in the company of Sebastian. I've traveled to his place to have dinner a few times, and we've gone out to eat as well. I have only "prepared" dinner in my kitchen 3 times in a period of 14 days. It's so much easier to hang out now that I'm not restricted to home. I have something to do every night. 

So I told my hot vendor the only thing I could think of at the time:
"I haven't been spending many nights at my place actually. I end up going home"

At which he laughed. "No it's okay, I can understand the need to be with your family when you're alone. I mean, I did it too. It was hard at first, but eventually you'll get used to it."

I continued trying to polish my answer by saying "But I like having moved out alone and not with someone else. I don't have to worry about ignoring my roommate."

Prior to moving out, I was worried about living alone. Though I had always envisioned to move by myself the first time, I couldn't help but think how nice it'd be to move in as a couple- like my ex was doing at the exact same moment in California.

I thought I'd be miserable also. I honestly thought I'd become depressed by not having someone to hang out with to combat boredom. But it hasn't been the case. Sebastian has been there for me. Though we are not an actual couple, we are still dating one another, though with no intentions that it will lead to something. He intends to keep it strictly "friends only", but with an "emotional attachment involved" might I add. We still talk every single day for hours on end. We actually talk more now than we did when we were a couple. We still make plans for the weekends, and make decisions as a couple. You know, I really have no idea what this all means.

Sebastian gave me the added push and motivation to continue moving on and out of my parents'. Even though we weren't together when I moved out, I didn't want to go back on my word. I needed to go. And it is because of him that I'm doing so much better on my own, and the fact that I'm so much happier and relaxed.

My coworker pulled me aside the other day and asked me how things were going. When I told her they were great, she said "I can tell. This is the first time I've seen you smile. I'm very happy for you."

The start of something new

• Front page

I started the week just perfectly- I left the keys on my door the first night in. I'm just not used to coming in through a front door.

• Local/domestic/national news

My little haven is relaxing. Just before moving out, I cried out to Sebastian and exclaimed my anxiousness to moving out alone for the first time. He told me that there was nothing to worry about- because he too was living on his own.

Yeah. You forgot the one part where you've lived with a girl since you moved out of your dad's house. And then another. And then your wife. You've always lived with a girl. In fact, at your 26 years, this is the first time you've lived on your own. Somehow, it's not the same as what I'm facing.

But after getting cozy on my couch the other night, I felt a moment of relief. It was so quiet. There was no one to bother me. I could do whatever I wanted, and there would be no one to complain about. I look around me and I realize that this is all mine. It's simple, but this is what makes me me. And if I ever get annoyed of being alone, I can leave at any moment's notice without having to tell anyone.

• Business

Work is ok. I came in on tuesday even though I was very sick. The only reason I showed up was because no one would believe I'd gotten sick after labor day weekend. I went in today and though I felt better, I had a nasty cough that tickled a lot. My boss told me to go home because I wasn't "doing anyone any favors by being sick at work." Somehow I got the feeling she was actually mad at me for showing up at work. And since I didn't have much to do, I left around 10:30 and went to my mom's to pick up the last few boxes and some papers for my citizenship test and interview this friday. I later went over to Walmart to buy a rug, lamp and some knick-knacks.

• Weather

It's been raining cats and dogs for the last couple of days. Quite a few lightning strikes. The rumbling reminds me of tremors in California.

Yeah.
I don't miss those at all.

• Letters from the readers

I had my first two comments from a reader on my blog! I can't tell you how happy it made me to read their responses. I'm just wondering how they stumbled upon my page......
Thank you!

• Society/People

I messaged BEG to find out if he'd be free tomorrow because I was going to be in his surrounding area after work. Within minutes, he tells me he's finally being called out to do a job out in East Texas. I was a bit relieved that he'd gotten called out because I got the feeling I would of had to make some time to see him this weekend. I can't keep finding excuses like before anymore.

• Automobiles

It looks like Sebastian's car has finally seen the end of its days. Or at least I hope so. He drives a P.O.S Tercel that desperately needs body work. It doesn't bother me one bit that he drives it- it's his incessant obsession of finding a new car that has me completely annoyed. I've had to hear him talk about getting a new car ever since we met. He's asked for my opinion numerous times and all I end up telling him is that he should drive his Tercel to the ground before he commits to buying a brand new car. And accumulating more debt.

• Cooking/cuisine

I managed to burn my fingers on my new toaster the other day as I was trying to get the bread to pop up. I haven't "cooked" yet- just heated up a skillet meal and a canned soup. So far, I've gotten my fruit intake through a smoothie- something Sebastian taught me to do. I normally don't eat any fruit, so he suggested I invest in a powerful blender and make smoothies with frozen fruit and apple juice. Blend. DONE!

• Health/medicine

A new experiment comes into view. Sebastian was sick last week, and feeling overly optimistic of my immune system, I went to visit him and keep him company. He had advised me not to, but I did anyway.

• +72 hours of exposure- first symptoms of cold appear: Itchy nose, mild sore throat
• +4 days- severe sore throat, body aches, sneezing
• +4 days, 12 hours- runny nose, sore throat
• +5 days- sinus congestion, severe runny nose, headache, sneezing, mild sore throat, body aches and ear decompression.
• +6 days- minor body aches, mild to non-existent sore throat, mild runny nose, ear decompression, itchy throat, mild coughing.
• +7 days- itchy throat, phlegm, severe coughing

Results: Fail.
I've been on Sudafed, cough drops and Dayquil.

• Home & decoration

I put up my picture frames on my walls and my clocks as well. I put together my new lamp and my rug to prevent any stains from spills I will have. The only thing that sucks is having a dumpster about as far as a freaking football field. I've turned off my A/C because it turns on when I have it set at 80 and I don't feel I need it. The rotating fan that Sebastian gave me is better than perfect and does the job of cooling me down perfectly.

It. Is. Perfect.

My first apartment.

I can't even begin to describe how grateful and lucky I feel to have landed such a great apartment. My biggest fear was that I would land a crappy, roach infested, ghetto neighborhood first apartment on my way out the nest because of my budget. Instead, I got what has become Sebastian's envy. His apartment- just way better.

I'm going to have to brag because for the first time ever in almost...... 3 years, I am actually proud and happy about my well being. I seriously need a boost to my self esteem.

So welcome to my apartment:

As you walk in you will be amazed at the finesse of the vaulted ceilings that scream for the potential of owning a "projector." At least, that was Sebastian's idea. Yeah, I don't want to spend $800 on something I don't need.



The kitchen is white. Pristine. New. I even got so lucky as to get a window! The model they showed me didn't even have that! I felt extremely dumb when I noticed something weird on the kitchen stove. The burners were sticking out, and they seemed to be missing something. Sebastian took the liberty of connecting them and telling me I needed drip pans. Yeah, that's a good thing he mentioned it, else, I would have just turned them on and melted the stove



I have a dining room that I'm most likely never going to see. I can't exactly put a dining table unless I push it against a wall since the apartment is small (513 sqft). I have since decided not to clutter my new place and forego the dinner table. I'll have to figure out if I want to eat like an Arab (on the ground) or like a Japanese (on a low table). I might go American and eat with a dinner tray, plopped on the couch in front of the TV. See how convenient it is?


I have a patio with a storage closet where I've been storing all my boxes for when I have to move again. See- I'm already thinking of the future.

My bedroom has two gigantic mirrors. Oh fuck yah. I have so much storage space in there compared to the 6ft closet I had back at home. Everything was cramped in there, and some of my clothes never saw the light of day. Literally. Coming soon: Ikea dresser on the left hand side. The long curtain on the wall is actually for a small window I have there. All the apartments have super bright lights right outside our doors- which Sebastian and I found out after the first night.

And my bathroom, which I decided to decorate in white and yellow to help with my mood. Though my favorite color is purple/plum, I needed something bright to help me feel happier in the mornings. The curtain, towels and bath mat, you can't see, I bought at Ikea.


Moving in couldn't be complete with the celebratory pizza. I don't know why, but there's something about pizza and moving that go hand in hand. That pizza was so delicious. I've never had any better.


I managed to make my first black mark on the main wall within the first 3 minutes of having my couch in the living room. Actually, it happened as Sebastian left me alone as he went downstairs to unload the truck. When he came back he exclaimed "Why couldn't you wait for me to help you move it??" "I was just too excited and wanted to do it before you got back!" I responded.

I had to go do some grocery shopping late last night because I needed to stock up on survival gear. I bought milk, bread and skillet meals, along with other stuff like frozen fruit, some canned goods (I have a tiny pantry) and top ramen- the emergency food.

Sebastian helped me out tremendously this weekend, and also took good care of me. I started developing cold symptons on Saturday night. My throat began hurting and my nose has been running non-stop since Sunday morning. I ended up catching Sebastian's flu from when I went to see him on Wednesday- all too aware that he was sick. There's no one to blame but me for that one. He made me tea a couple of times and let me rest and not overexert myself, though he too was still a little sick. He managed to move most of the large furniture on his own (coffee table, mattress, box spring, and dresser.) The couch we had to move together.

I need to go to bed. I'm not completely weirded out by sleeping alone yet, I'm ok for the time being. I'm really glad my mom didn't chime in when my uncle asked me during our bbq on Sunday if I'd been OK sleeping alone in my new place. I would have been mortified if she'd said that Sebastian had kept me company in front of my grandma.

Oh yeah...
and I have free cable too.
That rocks.

Don't procrastinate when it comes to housing

I thought I had enough time. I always play this game. It makes me more stressful and forces me to rush through things.

Earlier this week I went to State Farm to get a quote on renter's insurance because Sebastian had recommended me to them. I had managed to get a quote from Progressive, my auto insurance provider, but they had quoted a ridiculous high rate enough to rape you. About $38 a month, or almost $500 for a yearly premium.

As soon as I walked in I was greeted by the most enthusiastic handshake. Oh boy... I'm gonna get screwed here too. I told the agent I was here to obtain a quote for renter's insurance, and that I was unfamiliar with the process. She asked me what my total worth in personal property was and I told her $7,000.

She laughed.

In my face practically.

"Well the minimum we offer is $10,000" she responded. "Well then can I get a quote for that?" I asked her.

"Oh but are you sure you don't want to go for at least $20,000? I mean, think about how much it would cost to replace your clothes, your furniture. And we're not talking about items that are on sale. We're talking full cost."

I don't have that much stuff. Just get me the $10,000 quote.

I told her I needed $25,000 renter's liability according to my apartment's requirements.

The lowest they offered was $100,000.

Ok, I don't care.

I asked her to explain to me the definition of this coverage, because I still didn't quite understand it. Basically, liability insurance covers the apartment unit for any fuck-ups that I cause, be it fire, flooding, and can also cover vandalism and invasion. However, I wasn't quite sure if it covered damages caused by hurricane winds. I mean- that's not my fault right? Shouldn't the complex cover for that?

She worked up the quote and offered $12.50 a month, which is what Sebastian had advised me it would cost. I asked her if I could pay it monthly, or if it was annually and she laughed again. "It's $150!" At this point, I was pissed. It was rude of her to laugh at a question I had. For the rest of the meeting, I was cold towards her. The only reason why I signed up that day was because the leasing agent told me I needed to have coverage set up at least 5 days before move in day. I still put my move in day as my start day for my coverage. I called the leasing agent and asked if I needed to show them my certificate, and she said I could just bring it in the day of move in with my check.

The following day, I started researching electric providers online so I could get my service started. I asked BEG, Sebastian and my colleagues. I was referred to Gexa and Amigo Energy. After understanding their rates, I decided to start with Amigo Energy.



I opted for a 6 month fixed rate of 11.1¢ for the first 500kwh in the Centerpoint Area (there are a lot of different rates for different areas, and I know that my apartment is in the Centerpoint district). I don't remember what it was for 501-1000kwh. Their cancellation fee was $100, but I don't plan to do that during the service.

And here's the part where I screwed up. I went to apply for their service, but the soonest they could start was 6 days away; it was Wednesday, and the following Monday is Labor Day. I called their customer service line and I asked them if they could turn it on on Friday (which was 2 days away) and the agent told me they were booked until Tuesday. They didn't connect service on weekends or holidays.

Shit.

Won't the apartment charge me for those days I don't have service?

I asked Sebastian and he said they would most likely charge at double the price, which is what had happened to him when he had moved into his apartment. Or the apartment would charge a flat rate- I don't know. I can't remember.

So the big day is coming. I'm excited, and nervous that not all my papers will be in order.

I went through my renter's insurance paperwork, and just noticed that the name of my complex is not listed as an interested party on the certificate.

Well, shit. Another lesson learned I guess.

Shopping for my first apartment!

I managed to get some shopping done this weekend at Ikea, Target and Ross- the latter which I decided not to buy from until Senior day discount (a good 10% off).

I bought a fiery red microwave from Target for $59:A red Oster 12 speed blender on sale for $29.99, also at Target

Chefmate 8pc cookware set marked down from $31.29 to a whopping $24.99:

And a small Chefmate 2-slice toaster for a bargain price of $6.33:

I needed a kitchen trash can ($10.49) with a swing top and a hamper ($6.99) so I bought the following two items:

I also bought some kitchen utensils, but opted to buy them separately rather than in the 10pc-$10 pack because I felt I could get more stuff my way. Plus, there's something called the 99 cent/$1 store where I can get a lot more for my buck. I just haven't been, so I really don't know what's in store for me- literally.


My grandma was with me at the time, and since I still wanted to go to Ikea to get my dining table, I decided to take her home and ask Sebastian to come with me instead. Once there, we had dinner and went through the entire store once again to buy some seat cushions for my poor beaten up hand me down sofa bed, and some..... linens for my bathroom. I've decided to do it in yellow and white, so I had to buy the shower curtain ($14.99,) the bath mat ($12.99) and one yellow towel ($3.49) and small white towel ($1.49). They were really cheap material- but they're only for decorative purposes. As if I'm going to get so many visitors. I'll most likely turn them away because my place is so small.
Sebastian even managed to throw an "ex" commentary in there about how the ex wife loved to spend money and always had to buy the most expensive item in the selection.

Please. Keep. It. To. Yourself.

Lease is signed!

I finally went in to the apartment complex to sign the lease. Which reminds me- I need to research renter's insurance for a different rate. The complex has their own for $15/month.

And I also need to set up water and electricity.
Wait.... isn't water allocated for the units? So that just leaves electricity for the moment.
Right? Shit. Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something?

So I wanted to take matters into my own hands and read the lease agreement on my own. The agent briefly goes over the first page and tells me to initial at the bottom, and I stop her and tell her I want to read the agreement on my own. That is until I realize this agreement is not your standard 7-10 pages. It's more like 20-25. So I read the first 5, and then I notice I've been there for about 30 minutes and I really need to get home to take my sisters to their parent-teacher orientation. So I start skimming over the next 15 pages, and come across some verbiage that I don't understand and make a star next to it so I can ask the agent to explain it to me.

Another fifteen minutes pass and I'm "done." I take the pages and ask her to review the section about lawful entry (do they give a notice?), pest control (how often do they come by?) and fire extinguishers (are they in the apartment units?)

She seemed a bit peeved that I'd played "big girl" and taken matters into my own tiny hands. I did feel a bit foolish for taking the pages away from her, and not able to finish them all. But I personally don't feel comfortable hurrying off to sign something I haven't fully read. Or understood for that matter.

On move-in day, I need to pay my first month's prorated rent of $416.
And then the sweating begins.
Especially now that the situation at my work seems a bit unstable and is forecasting an insecure future.

W. T. F. did I get myself into?

Read the fine print

I used quite a few online apartment searching tools as I continued on my hunt. I knew from the past that mynewplace.com offered $100 gift cards for finding an apartment with them.

So does rent.com.
And that's where I got screwed.

You see, mynewplace.com doesn't offer the gift card for every property, but does so for a majority of communities.

$100 no more.

When I filled out my application at the leasing office, I put that I found their property on mynewplace.com, with the hopes of filling out their offer once I signed the lease. I was certain I'd get it. When I went back online later that day, I went to check their terms and conditions, but couldn't find their "Claim your gift card here" link anywhere. I searched some more and concluded that the site did not offer it for my property. I went on to Rent.com's website and saw it staring right back at me. The $100 gift card. It was an oversight on my end.





I had just lost my new dining room set.......
my frosted table and 4 chairs from Ikea.......

I found my first apartment

Earlier this week, I continued my search for apartments in Houston. I came across one particular community that caught my eye. I called their number only to find out it was a call center for their communities. I'd been through these calls before, and they give inaccurate information because they're unfamiliar with the property in question.

My conditions were simple-

1. Top floor
2. 9-month lease
3. W/D Connection, minimum

The agent quoted me for a 2nd floor (because it was cheaper), 9 month lease, with W/D connection.

It was perfect for me, minus the square footage. But at this point, I didn't care anymore. It was right where I wanted to be and at the price range I'd been fighting long for.

It even included "free cable."
Well, it was incorporated in the monthly rent, and you didn't have the choice of opting out. I read somewhere that it had to do with people stealing cable and the apartment complex had to charge everyone for it.
I found good reviews online- which was quite a shock since I was used to seeing poor reviews of the other communities I'd been looking at. We had previously come across cockroaches, gnats, water damage, mold, vandalized units, and shady characters.

I called a few other places just to have some backups for my Saturday hunt. None of them compared to the one I had my eye on, and I was hoping this would be the last one I would look at.

I set up an appointment for Saturday morning and went to pick up my friend because he wanted to lend his support. Most importantly, I just think he wanted to see what I was getting myself into. He had previously cautioned me clear of bad complexes and I knew his opinion was honest.
We made it in to their parking lot and I was already happy. It was clean, quiet and surrounded by other upscale complexes. I didn't mind the poor choice in color at all. I spoke with the leasing agent, and after waiting for a while, she agreed to show us the last empty apartment that had been leased out the day prior.

She went through the presentation of the complex,"We have 450+ units, one HPD officer onsite, one pool, 24/7 crew maintenance, gated community, free cable, and full size or stackable washer/dryer units."
"Wait, I'm sorry- did you say the apartment has the actual unit, not just the connection?" I peeped.
"All of our units have washers/dryers" she answered

I was humming the hallelujah chorus in my head. I'm taking it, I'm taking it.
And I hadn't even seen the apartment yet.

She unlocked the door to a very dark apartment on the first floor. I soon as I walked in, my friend and I looked at each other and thought the same thing.
"This is the exact same layout as yours! Just a tiny bit bigger." I said
"Yeah, I think you're right" he said.

We made the tour, which only took 37 seconds, and concluded it was in fact the same as his apartment. I'd learned to deal with his space for almost 5 months, and it had never bothered me, so I was ready to move into this apartment.

We went back to the office and filled out the application. She ran my information, and because I have spectacular credit, I didn't need to pay a deposit. I gave her my $170 check for administration and application, and she told me what I would be getting:

"A prorated rate for September at $416.87, and monthly rent at $481. You will

be on the third floor, in the 1/1 apartment at 513 sqft. Your unit will be facing the street. You can come sign the lease on Thursday and pay the first month's rent on the day of your move in, September 5. You are responsible for setting up the utilities such as water, electricity, etc. in your name prior to move-in"

I was so excited, though I remember my nervousness overshadowing that. We thanked her for her help, and were on our way.

We went to Ikea for their Swedish meatballs for lunch to celebrate.

I texted and facebooked my friends with the good news and they all asked the same thing:
"So when's the housewarming party?"
I was a bit hesitant about it, but soon remembered they were flakes about showing up at my parents’ 2100 sqft house, so I said the only thing I could think of-

"Guys, as soon as I open the door, I'm halfway through the apartment. I just don't know where I'm going to put all of you!"

I'm not a princess....

....Am I?

My parents (mainly my mother) babied me throughout my entire 24 years. As a result, I've taken her for granted and feel despicable from it. I've finally come to realize that it is time for me to get out before it's too late.

My living arangements have been spectacular all my life. I've lived in apartments, condos, houses, and 3 years ago, I came face to face with the burbs.

I relocated from California to Texas with my family. I basically tagged along, even after my father offered to let me stay in California with a boyfriend I had at the time. I said "Screw it. Family is family, and we're sticking together."

Well, I pretty much screwed myself because as soon as I moved out of California, my boyfriend of 4 years and I broke up. And it was for good this time.

I had a shot at "independence" and I didn't take it. I stayed with Mom and Dad for way too long. My dad was convinced that I'd stay with them until I was 30. My mom didn't seem to mind, and neither did I. It was a living arrangement that was perfect; that is until my dad moved out. He relocated to California because he wasn't happy in Texas anymore. He opened his business and started living on his own. It was just my mom and I for the time being. Oh wait- did I forget to mention I had twin sisters who were 15 years younger than me?

Yes. That's the only negative aspect of it. You're 22 and they're 7.

My parents were still together, but not living under the same roof; they weren't separated either. My dad would come to visit us at every holiday, and would stay the weekend.
My mom started working nights, and I had to be home to take care of my sisters. Monday through Friday. From 5pm on. Sometimes even on Sundays.

At the time, it was... ok. I was single and wasn't dating. I didn't have many other interests, therefore school on the weekends took up most of my morning time. It was..... just fine. I dealt with it.

But then the itch for dating grew, and I couldn't just limit my time to Saturday nights. I wanted more. So my mom and I worked it out. I could get every other sunday, and monday nights as well. But that was it.

And then the resentment escalated. I needed to be out more often. My mom and I got into disagreements and heaterd arguments. I stormed into other rooms and slammed doors. I cried, I screamed, and shouted. I acted like a 15-year-old. And then I said what I really felt "I need to move out. I'm moving out!"

That was almost 6 months ago. After a few setbacks, changes of hearts and reconcialations, I finally set a date. September 1, 2009.

And I still haven't found a place.

HOUSTON, we have a problem...

....and her name is RenRexx.
No. I'm not perfect, and I'm not going to pretend that I am either.
First blogs are always the most difficult to start. You tend to begin with optimism, but soon have a fallout as you did with your old high school friends, and forget the login information to your account so that you can't even fix or delete your work.

Well, what's the point of this then? I recently found myself at the intersection of a new ......"adventure" per se.

I want to share my experiences, or what will come of such incidents.
And what's going to happen?
I'm MOVING OUT of my parents's nest.
At 24.
And I don't even know how to cook.....
or do my own laundry.