School starts on Wednesday! I'm so excited but at the same time, even though I have a somewhat easy semester, I'm kind of nervous about it all. The school I was in last semester was a community college and NC State... well, that's a big university. So many things are going through my mind right now! I mean, for me to have made it this far is fantastic. And for me to keep going even further is even better. This is all so great and I'm so happy and proud of myself. Greater things are yet to come. I believe it!

--Zul

Labels: NC State, NCSU, school, Wolfpack

Holy crap! I have not posted on here since March 2012. Well, that is about to change, huh?

What is going on? Well, I'll tell you what's been going on, alright. A lot of things! Way too many things, good things. Let me tell you. I am so happy right now. You don't even know. A lot of great things have been going on in my life. I have moved out and got my own place and I am currently living in Raleigh and I love it so very much. I really do.

So, what happened to our idea of being roommates, Rani and I? I don't know. I think it just sort of died out a bit. I think we just sort of went our own ways and our lives are just some other place right now. But, I'd love to keep writing on this blog and really keep this blog for me and Rani to have a place to write online about our things and keep in touch and see what's going on with us. Our little adventures.

So, let me tell you some things that have been going on with me. I am living in Raleigh right now. I'm about to start at NC State University in a couple of weeks and I.... ooh, I graduated from Nash Community College and man, I am really doing my thing. I really am. I love the fact that I am still going to school and trying to finish my degree... my BS. (That sounded kind of funny to me for some reason.)

So, it wouldn't be a true blu post if I didn't have some sort of decision to make, huh? Well, here it is... I had this whole plan about finishing at NC State University in the next two or three years. And to finish with my BS in civil engineering and mathematics. But, now.... I mean, this sounds crazy because I was really in love with that plan..... and I still kind of am a little bit. But, I have been thinking about it lately a LOT... and I think I might want to give the writing thing another shot. I mean, I think writing will make me really, really happy. I would love to be able to write and I would love to be able to get a degree that will help me get to that.

I was looking up information online about a BA or BS in.... *drum roll please* .....Anthropology! Ahhh, I would love to be able to do that! And I found this really great program online, completely online that I would really love. I mean, really. So, I kept looking and I found this other really great program online for Philosophy and I would really love to be able to do either or BOTH of those sometime. I think it'd be really great! I would love that! That would really get my writing started off right. I think so, anyways.... So, I'm really looking forward to doing that.

I'm still just getting information about it all and I think I'm going to go ahead and finish at least one semester at NC State because I think I have to live through that experience. I already have my classes and books and everything and the semester starts on August 21st. Only a couple of more weeks. And I'm really excited about doing that but, MAN.... a big part of me is really excited about the whole writing/Anthropology/Philosophy thing. I mean, they are accredited universities which offer these online classes and... I think it's awesome that I at least I'm getting information about it.

Ok, so... that's what I got for now. Oh, another important thing you should all know.... Ready!?

I'm getting MARRIED! :)

Write here soon. Me and Rani are chatting on Skype right now and we will be changing the layout and all that good stuff now. So, be ready to really get more posts from this blog. It's about to be ON!

Blog again soon,
--Zul

PS I will write a graduation blog and other more stuff in a little bit. Maybe even some other time this week. Look out for that.

Labels: Blog, NC State, NCSU, Rani, Roommates, school, Zul

Ohh, wow! I thought I had posted on here after Rani had posted but, I guess I didn't. It's always a good time to update on all the things that are going on here so, let me go ahead and do that. Of course, when I read Rani's post (even though she said for no one to get excited, which I totally knew she meant ME) I totally got excited!!! It was so great to know that she was still thinking about New York. It really was.

Anyways, let's get on with the updates. I went to New York at the beginning of January and I basically took the time to figure out if I liked NY and would see myself living there. And guess what? I totally loved NY and I can seriously see myself living there. So, that's a good first step in choosing where we would end up.

I spoke to Rani on Skype this past weekend and it seems like we're on the same page. We still would like to be roommates but, since she really has no idea what she's going to do after college then, we'll just have to see what happens within the next year or so. But, I think I've decided that I will move first and then she can come visit and stay with me and if she likes it then, she can stay and we can find a place where we can be roommates which I think is awesome.

So, of course the question is: Where am I thinking of going to? There are a couple of places that I'm thinking I would love to live in. One of them, of course, is New York because honestly I truly loved it when I went to visit in January and I really did have a blast. I could totally see myself living in the city and I think it'd be great. So, NY is definitely still one of my choices. But, I think there are some other choices that I need look at as well. Maybe I could go back to Boston or I could try Atlanta or maybe Miami. The first two choices right now are Boston and New York and then the other two are just maybe's. They're not anywhere near as important as New York or Boston but, they still made the list for me. Somehow, I'm thinking I will most likely end up in one of the BIG TWO. So, that's as much as I can say about that. I'm still very, very bad at making decisions and this is a huge decision to make. So, of course, I still have no idea what I will choose. I will say, though, lately I've been thinking a lot about Boston and that it might be really great to move back. So, with that in mind, it's still a tough decision and I'm sure the universe help me out when it comes the time to choose.

I think that'll be all for now but, I just wanted to update on here since a couple of things have been going on. Pretty soon I'll be updating on my decision and on apartments and all that good stuff. The plan is for me to move to *insert chosen location* sometime either in August of 2012 or in May of 2013. I just need to make sure that I have enough time at my job so that I can transfer to wherever I move and that I have enough money saved up to at least have 5 months of rent paid when I get to wherever I go. I just want to make sure that everything goes well.

It's just a matter of time 'til I make my decision and just go. Of course, 6 months/one year will pass by quick enough and I'll be at the new place. So, here we go!

--Zul

Labels: Boston, New York

Okay so hate me because I never post here. Truth is I never really know what to say. I'm never sure what is happening anymore. I think we decided we would just get through school and then see where we were and where we could get jobs.

I will say however (keep in mind that no one should get excited) that I have been thinking lately a lot about New York. I think it would still be a great idea. I mean we both have friends there. It's far from my family, but I know I'll create my own family of friends there and that is kind of exciting.

I still have no idea what I want to do business wise after getting my degree, so i know I really need to get to figuring that out. This all depends on whether or not I can get a job there. Jobs aren't easy to come by anyways, so I need to get busy. The best I can do now is to focus on my school and sooner rather than lately get a job in an office somewhere and then hopefully next summer get an internship somewhere. I just need to get busy on figuring out a direction I want to head in.

Ok, so I decided that I might as well update you guys on what's going on with the Carthage scholarship and all that. I really have been postponing writing this post because well, the decision that I took has made me kind of sad. =( Anyways, I decided that I wouldn't go compete for the full tuition scholarship at Carthage and I'm pretty bummed out about it. Why? Well, honestly because I really think that I could've gotten it if I went and gave my all in it. But, of course, life has something else planned for me and I decided not to go compete.

What happened was that I started thinking, "How am I going to pay for an apartment if I do get the scholarship?" The thing is that if I do get the scholarship, it's only going to cover tuition and it's not going to cover my housing or anything like that. So, I brainstormed and thought of ways that I could pay rent if I were to have gotten the scholarship and well... first of all, I wouldn't be able to stay at the dorms because I'm over 25 so, I would have to get an apartment outside of school. And, that totally sucks. It really, really does. I mean, I would have to pay for an apartment and I don't know how I would pay for it unless I got a student loan to cover the costs of an apartment. So, the question is... if I got the scholarship, would I have been able to get a student loan?

The answer to that question is pretty much the reason why I decided not to go to Carthage and compete for the full tuition scholarship. I don't really know if I would be able to get a student loan to cover the rent of an apartment because well, to be honest... I have really bad credit and that sucks. There's no way that I'd be able to get a loan with the credit that I have and then I wouldn't be able to go take advantage of the full tuition scholarship. So, why not let a student that would probably be able to take full advantage of the scholarship and would be able to go to Carthage get that scholarship instead? I know, I know... I'm really thoughtful.

Also, my entire family was telling me that I shouldn't go and that it would be really horrible to have to take out loans to pay for an apartment and that I don't have money and that I would be all alone in a state where I know no one. I mean, seriously, when I say my entire family, I'm talking about my entire family. My sisters and my parents, all of them! So, they were really freaking me out and they really did get the best of me.

Honestly, for the most part, I don't let people's opinions influence me on what I have to do. For the most part because I always end up doing what I think is best and what I want to do. But, this time... they really did affect my decision because they really did scare me as to how I was going to do everything.

So, right now... I don't know what the hell is going on anymore. All I know is that I will not be going to Carthage next semester and that totally sucks big time. A lot because I really, really wanted to go so badly. But, it's ok. I've made my decision and I guess I'm going to have to stick by it. There's nothing else to do.

So, I guess I don't know what is going to happen from here on. I guess I will just have to wait until Rani graduates from Carthage and I can work towards a bachelors of some sort until we decide what we're going to do from there. Hopefully we'll be able to be roommates soon because that would be awesome. I would really love it if it was in NY. Maybe Atlanta would be really nice, too. Who knows?

Whatever happens, we'll definitely keep you guys posted. I hope everyone is well. Take care of yourselves.

Until next time.

--Zul

Labels: Carthage

I have some very, very good news!! I have been invited to compete at Carthage for the full tuition scholarship! Wow, this is so exciting. I can hardly believe it, really. You may be wondering how I found out, well... yesterday, I was taking a nap in the afternoon and I told myself, "When I wake up, I'll know exactly what I'm going to do with all this college business." The thing is that lately I've been stressing out about what I'm going to do with the Carthage financial aid because it's a big decision and it really is a lot of money that I don't really have.

Well, as soon as I woke up from my nap, I took a look at my Blackberry and I saw that I had received an email from my transfer advisor from Carthage. I wondered for a second about what it could be about and then when I opened the email and read it, I almost let out a scream! He was congratulating me on being one of the finalists to go compete at Carthage for the full tuition scholarship! I am so excited that I've been asked to go compete. I really am.

So, last night, I started looking for plane tickets and planning how I'm going to get to Carthage because, well... the competition is in about three weeks and I have to plan how I'm going to get to Wisconsin and where I'm going to stay and everything. I wonder how many people will go to compete for this scholarship. I hope only a few so that I have an even better chance of getting it. I would feel really confident if about ten students had been asked to go compete. I guess I'll find out once I get there on May 19th.

So, ok. Last night as I was planning everything, I was beginning to get stressed out, again! I mean, it's a lot of money. The plane, the hotel, and I found out that I might have to rent a car, too. So, all that is a lot of money to spend for two days in Wisconsin to go and see if they'll give me this scholarship. But, you know what? It might really be worth it. I mean, if I don't risk anything and I don't go, I'll definitely not get anything out of it, you know? But, if I take a risk and go, I might end up with a full tuition scholarship to Carthage! That would be a dream!!!

So, this email has made me think, "Do I really want to go to Carthage? What will I major in once I'm there? Am I really willing to spend this much money for merely a chance to get a full tuition scholarship?" All these questions have come to my mind in a matter of 24 hours! I've been going insane trying to figure out if it'll really be worth it and I always come back to the same decision: GO! Why? Well, if I don't go, I really won't know how far I'll get, you know? And, it might really be worth it if I go. I mean, a full tuition scholarship to Carthage!! That's insane.

I mean, what would really suck is if I go and then I don't get it. I think that would be the worst thing that could happen. But, then again, I'm really confident that I can get this scholarship, you know? I have a lot of faith in myself and I think that I can really wow whomever is making the decision. I mean, I really do honestly think that I have a chance at this! So, now all I have to do is make the arrangements to go to Carthage and spend the least amount of money possible. Thank God that I have some money saved up and that I can actually go to Carthage for this competition because if not, I would have no idea how I would get there or if I could even go compete.

So, I think that's it's pretty much decided that I will go compete for the full tuition scholarship at Carthage. I mean, this is pretty much what I've wanted all along, to get that full tuition scholarship. Being invited to compete is just one step closer to getting the scholarship. So, yes!

I'll definitely keep you guys posted as to what I end up doing and whatnot and I'll definitely let you guys know if I do get the scholarship and everything that goes on at Carthage for the two days that I'm there. This is so exciting!!

Ok, I'm going to leave you guys with that. I hope everyone is well and I will write back later to let you guys know what happens.

Bye!

--Zul

Labels: Carthage

I am so excited right now. You may be asking yourself, "Why is she so excited?" Well, let me tell you all about it! For the past week or so I had been waiting for my financial aid letter from Carthage. I was just waiting and waiting and I didn't know what was going on. I thought I might never get it. So, I asked Rani if she knew anything and she told me that she had received hers a couple of days before. That's when I really started freaking out because I didn't know if I would ever get mine.

But, I got it yesterday. When I went to check the mail, I saw the letter from Carthage and I thought it might be something that had to do with the full tuition scholarship because it didn't look like the financial aid package letter that they had sent me last year. This one was sent to me in a regular envelope. But, when I opened it, it was my financial aid letter and I was happy. I seriously was beginning to think that they had forgotten about me.

So, when I first looked at the letter, I didn't know what to think. I mean, it looked like they had given me a lot of financial aid but, I just didn't know what to think of it. Once I looked at everything they had given me, I immediately started thinking. And, guess what? I might actually be able to go to Carthage even if they don't give me the full tuition scholarship!!! I really might be able to go. I mean, I would definitely end up with some loans after college but, doesn't every student end up with loans after college? I mean, I know that if I end up going to a public school it'd be less loans but, I really want to go to Carthage and have the whole college experience away from home.

I don't know yet what I'm going to do but I was talking to Rani as I was looking over my financial aid and I told her how much I'd be getting and she agrees... it is a pretty good financial aid package! So, I just seriously have to think about what I'm going to do because I truly do want to go to Carthage and even though I don't really want to end up with loans after college, I think it would be great to be able to go to school at Carthage. It would just be really, really nice, I think.

So, of course one thing that I'd have to worry about is where I'm going to live because once you're over 25, you can't stay at the dorms. Bummer! But, I guess it's a good thing that Rani is considering rooming with me at an apartment outside of college. There are some really nice ones near Carthage and well, at least she's thinking about it. It would be cheaper for her to stay at one of the apartments with me but, she told me that it really does depend on whether she can get her license and a car or whatnot but, I did tell her that she doesn't have to worry about that because I'd be taking my car and we can just schedule classes at around the same time. But, who knows how that might work and maybe it would be better if she had her car because I don't know if she'd feel comfortable driving my car or whatever. Let's see.

I do really hope that I can go to Carthage and if I do, I really do hope that Rani can be my roommate. It would just be so cool and awesome, I think. Let's see what happens.

On other news, I'm still waiting to hear back about that full tuition scholarship to Carthage and waiting around to see if I do get invited to compete for the scholarship. It would be nice to get invited to compete but, I hope that if I'm not going to get it that I don't get invited at all. I just don't want to waste money in going all the way to Wisconsin if I'm not going to get it. I mean, I could save up that money for when and if I do end up going to Carthage next semester. And so far... it looks like I might be able to go. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Ok, that'll be all for now. I'll keep you guys posted on whatever happens with the scholarship and with my decision to go to Carthage. Obviously, Hofstra is out of the picture right now because I'm just so excited about being able to go to Carthage. So, let's hope that everything works out.

Until next time!

--Zul

Labels: financial aid

OMG, Rani and I have been missing! Yes, we have been kind of away from it all. Well, this is a quick update that I'm going to write and I'm going to make sure that I tell Rani that we have to start writing in this blog again. I mean, I think we still have in mind that we want to become roommates somewhere but, it's just kind of been put on hold with Rani being in Carthage and me not knowing what I want to do.

Last semester I decided to defer enrollment to Carthage for one year and the year is almost up. Wow, I can't believe that Rani has been at Carthage for one whole year but, yes... it is true. I have to start working towards something and I think that I've decided that I want to go to Carthage but, I'm just somewhat afraid because I don't know how I'm going to pay for it. I mean, Carthage is expensive, let me tell you.

What I did was I applied for a full tuition scholarship and I hope that I get it because without that scholarship, I pretty much won't be able to go to Carthage. I would just need to cover the living expenses and I think that I can manage that but only if I get the full tuition scholarship. I hope that I do, honestly... because if not, I'm going to have to move on to plan two and I have no plan two yet, so, I would pretty much have to improvise. Ohh, well. Let's see what happens. I'll keep you guys posted.

Anyways, that'll be all for now but don't think that we've forgotten about this blog. It's just that things have pretty much been put on hold for a bit.

I hope everyone is well.

--Zul

Labels: Carthage, Quick update

Where have Rani and I been?

--Zul

I know, I know I need to update everyone on everything. Blu kinda explained things but I know I need to put my two cents in. I have actually been doing school stuff and doing less procrastination which is awesome for me. So when I actually have a moment to procrastinate (trust me, I'll make one lol) I will write a proper post.

: )

-rani

I got accepted into Hofstra! I got the letter of acceptance a couple of days ago. Omygoodness!!! Now, I gotta figure out what I'm going to do. I'll keep you guys posted.

--Zul

Labels: Hofstra

So, last week I went to visit Rani. We had so much fun, seriously. We went to Carthage and I liked it. It was way smaller than I thought it would be, but... I liked it. Then, when I came back home on Friday after a crazyyyy day (Friday was insane travelling and everything) - on Saturday was my cousin's wedding and on Sunday I had to work at a Latin Expo.

I gotta say that I love my job, I really do. That is the reason why I'm most likely not going to end up at Carthage: I just love my job and it's going to be a great opportunity for me to meet a lot of people and do a lot of good things for myself. Hofstra is still in the run because I can live close enough to both work and Hofstra where I can just travel for an hour to work or an hour for school or whatever and it'll work. I mean, at least that's what I'm thinking. I don't know how it would play out, though.

But, that's what's been happening. I'm sure Rani will post something soon.

I hope everyone is well and I will talk to you guys later.

Bye.

--Zul

Labels: Carthage, Hofstra, wisconsin, work

I got a job today. A really good job, too. I've been looking for Rani all afternoon to let her know and... well, I think she's sleeping. So, I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow to tell her. Or, I might actually shoot her an email to let her know that I got a job. I'm really excited because it's a very, very good job at a radio station. So, I'm really excited about it.

Tomorrow I have to go to Hofstra University for a transfer open house but I don't know if I'll go because, since I have this job... I don't know if I should be moving to New York in the Fall, even if just for school. I mean... I really think this job opportunity is extremely amazing and I'm going to use it to my advantage. I might have to stay in Connecticut and... I guess that's not a bad thing. I mean, I'll see what Rani thinks but, I'm definitely going to take advantage of this job opportunity. So, I might end up staying in Connecticut for a while.

Anyways, I just wanted to let you guys know that I got a job, and that it's a really good job and that I love my life right now. Everything is just working out.

Yes!

--Zul

Labels: jobs, radio station

Blu pretty much covered everything. I figured everything was set (well as set as it can be with us changing our minds all the time), but then I received the packet from Carthage College in the mail. It just looked so nice and it's a small college which is a big selling point from me. I was kinda nervous telling Blu, but she seemed excited for me and we decided it was probably for the best since it would be easier for us to relocate to a city with degrees.

So, I went and saw and applied. What's funny is that Blu actually submitted her application before I did. I just kept talking about Carthage and the thought occurred to me that it would be cool if she went, but figured it wouldn't interest her since she liked it where she was. It was just so nice there and the more I talked about it the more interested she became so we spent the whole night looking at the school's website and talking about it. She ended up applying. The next day I applied. Now we are waiting.

I know that she might not like it when she sees it, I doubt it, but its possible. Or there might be a problem or something and she can't go. Or maybe we just aren't compatible as roommates (highly unlikely but we like to look at every angle). I mean worst case scenario is that she comes out and we go to Carthage overnight and she doesn't like it and we don't want to be roommates. I mean it's good we figure it out now and you know what? That isn't gonna stop us from being friends and having hilarious conversations over the internet. It's better this way so we know. Honestly, I believe that we will be fine together and she will like it there, but if she doesn't then she doesn't and we look ahead to when we both have our degrees.

Personally I can't wait till next month when she comes. I mean I'm usually not good when anyone comes over cause I never know what to do, but I don't think that will be a problem this time. I'm pretty sure we can just do the things we do over skype together. I foresee us sitting at the computer laughing at stupid YouTube videos and analyzing peoples tweets, and laughing at ridiculous things that our family member have done. I also hope there is enough snow that we can sled down our hill once or twice (if I can talk her into it lol), but not a whole bunch to where she wont want to move over here for school.

Okay, as I am writing this I am talking to Blu on a messenger and we just figured out that tomorrow will be exactly three weeks until she comes here! So exciting! I hope she is not disappointed in anything with her visit cause it would be awesome to room together at college. I just know that above everything I want her to do what is right for her. If Hofstra would be better for her then I want her to go there. She is my friend and I love her and I need her to be happy for me to be. Whatever happens I know that we will continue to be friends and have hilarious times together.

-rani

P.S. I am so excited!!!!

I believe it was yesterday morning when I heard someone singing a karaoke. They were singing "Empire State of Mind" or whatever that song is called and they were all like, "Let's hear it for New York, New York..." I almost died when someone else said, "Ohh, that's the remix." Hahahaha. I immediately thought of P. Diddy and I almost died. It was hilarious. But, I got happy about the prospect of being in New York and about when it will finally take place.

So, Rani and I have been talking lately that we should let you guys in on what is going on. I guess I should let you guys know because it's only fair that you guys know.

About a month and a half ago, Rani got a package from a college in the mail. She didn't request it but she looked through it. At the moment, she's in a college where she does all her classes online, which is cool because she could move to New York and just do her classes online still. But, as Rani was looking through the papers of the college, she began to get excited and stuff.

So, she decided to go visit the college and she decided to apply. She mentioned it to me before she went to visit the school and I was like, "That's great!" So, it was no surprise when she told me that she thought she would apply. This obviously puts our plans for New York/Connecticut or wherever back about two or three years. But, in the end it is so much better because by that time Rani and I will both have a college degree. And, let's be honest, it is much easier to make it in the city with a job when one has a college degree.

Well, when Rani got back from Carthage College she told me all about how it went. I got really excited for her and well, I decided I would check it out. It was hilarious because Rani and I were on Skype and she kept trying to convince me to apply to Carthage. Well, honestly... I started thinking about applying to colleges because I have been at the community college level for quite some time and it is time for me to be at an university. So, I ended up applying to Carthage with Rani.

I mean, I also looked at Hofstra University in New York because, well, they have some really good majors and such. And it would be nice to be in New York. I had applied to Hofstra back when I graduated high school in 2001 and I got accepted so, I don't see how I couldn't get accepted now that I have some college credits and a pretty good GPA at that.

So, I applied at Hofstra and at Carthage and I'm really excited about both of them. In mid-March, I'm going to go visit Hofstra for the day and, ohh... the week after that, during Spring Break... I'm going to go visit Rani and we're going to go stay over one night at Carthage College. If we do end up going to Carthage, we are going to be roommates, duh!

So, that's that.

What else do I need to mention? Ohh, yes... I also applied for re-admission to the University of Massachusetts in Boston because they might finally give me my apartment from public housing. And, if they do... then, I will have to make some decisions about whether I will take the apartment or just go to these other schools or whatever. I don't know yet.

Either way, I'm excited.

Rani will tell you guys more information later.

Until next time,
--Zul

Labels: Carthage, College

School starts on Wednesday! I'm so excited but at the same time, even though I have a somewhat easy semester, I'm kind of nervous about it all. The school I was in last semester was a community college and NC State... well, that's a big university. So many things are going through my mind right now! I mean, for me to have made it this far is fantastic. And for me to keep going even further is even better. This is all so great and I'm so happy and proud of myself. Greater things are yet to come. I believe it!

--Zul

Labels: NC State, NCSU, school, Wolfpack

Holy crap! I have not posted on here since March 2012. Well, that is about to change, huh?

What is going on? Well, I'll tell you what's been going on, alright. A lot of things! Way too many things, good things. Let me tell you. I am so happy right now. You don't even know. A lot of great things have been going on in my life. I have moved out and got my own place and I am currently living in Raleigh and I love it so very much. I really do.

So, what happened to our idea of being roommates, Rani and I? I don't know. I think it just sort of died out a bit. I think we just sort of went our own ways and our lives are just some other place right now. But, I'd love to keep writing on this blog and really keep this blog for me and Rani to have a place to write online about our things and keep in touch and see what's going on with us. Our little adventures.

So, let me tell you some things that have been going on with me. I am living in Raleigh right now. I'm about to start at NC State University in a couple of weeks and I.... ooh, I graduated from Nash Community College and man, I am really doing my thing. I really am. I love the fact that I am still going to school and trying to finish my degree... my BS. (That sounded kind of funny to me for some reason.)

So, it wouldn't be a true blu post if I didn't have some sort of decision to make, huh? Well, here it is... I had this whole plan about finishing at NC State University in the next two or three years. And to finish with my BS in civil engineering and mathematics. But, now.... I mean, this sounds crazy because I was really in love with that plan..... and I still kind of am a little bit. But, I have been thinking about it lately a LOT... and I think I might want to give the writing thing another shot. I mean, I think writing will make me really, really happy. I would love to be able to write and I would love to be able to get a degree that will help me get to that.

I was looking up information online about a BA or BS in.... *drum roll please* .....Anthropology! Ahhh, I would love to be able to do that! And I found this really great program online, completely online that I would really love. I mean, really. So, I kept looking and I found this other really great program online for Philosophy and I would really love to be able to do either or BOTH of those sometime. I think it'd be really great! I would love that! That would really get my writing started off right. I think so, anyways.... So, I'm really looking forward to doing that.

I'm still just getting information about it all and I think I'm going to go ahead and finish at least one semester at NC State because I think I have to live through that experience. I already have my classes and books and everything and the semester starts on August 21st. Only a couple of more weeks. And I'm really excited about doing that but, MAN.... a big part of me is really excited about the whole writing/Anthropology/Philosophy thing. I mean, they are accredited universities which offer these online classes and... I think it's awesome that I at least I'm getting information about it.

Ok, so... that's what I got for now. Oh, another important thing you should all know.... Ready!?

I'm getting MARRIED! :)

Write here soon. Me and Rani are chatting on Skype right now and we will be changing the layout and all that good stuff now. So, be ready to really get more posts from this blog. It's about to be ON!

Blog again soon,
--Zul

PS I will write a graduation blog and other more stuff in a little bit. Maybe even some other time this week. Look out for that.

Labels: Blog, NC State, NCSU, Rani, Roommates, school, Zul

Ohh, wow! I thought I had posted on here after Rani had posted but, I guess I didn't. It's always a good time to update on all the things that are going on here so, let me go ahead and do that. Of course, when I read Rani's post (even though she said for no one to get excited, which I totally knew she meant ME) I totally got excited!!! It was so great to know that she was still thinking about New York. It really was.

Anyways, let's get on with the updates. I went to New York at the beginning of January and I basically took the time to figure out if I liked NY and would see myself living there. And guess what? I totally loved NY and I can seriously see myself living there. So, that's a good first step in choosing where we would end up.

I spoke to Rani on Skype this past weekend and it seems like we're on the same page. We still would like to be roommates but, since she really has no idea what she's going to do after college then, we'll just have to see what happens within the next year or so. But, I think I've decided that I will move first and then she can come visit and stay with me and if she likes it then, she can stay and we can find a place where we can be roommates which I think is awesome.

So, of course the question is: Where am I thinking of going to? There are a couple of places that I'm thinking I would love to live in. One of them, of course, is New York because honestly I truly loved it when I went to visit in January and I really did have a blast. I could totally see myself living in the city and I think it'd be great. So, NY is definitely still one of my choices. But, I think there are some other choices that I need look at as well. Maybe I could go back to Boston or I could try Atlanta or maybe Miami. The first two choices right now are Boston and New York and then the other two are just maybe's. They're not anywhere near as important as New York or Boston but, they still made the list for me. Somehow, I'm thinking I will most likely end up in one of the BIG TWO. So, that's as much as I can say about that. I'm still very, very bad at making decisions and this is a huge decision to make. So, of course, I still have no idea what I will choose. I will say, though, lately I've been thinking a lot about Boston and that it might be really great to move back. So, with that in mind, it's still a tough decision and I'm sure the universe help me out when it comes the time to choose.

I think that'll be all for now but, I just wanted to update on here since a couple of things have been going on. Pretty soon I'll be updating on my decision and on apartments and all that good stuff. The plan is for me to move to *insert chosen location* sometime either in August of 2012 or in May of 2013. I just need to make sure that I have enough time at my job so that I can transfer to wherever I move and that I have enough money saved up to at least have 5 months of rent paid when I get to wherever I go. I just want to make sure that everything goes well.

It's just a matter of time 'til I make my decision and just go. Of course, 6 months/one year will pass by quick enough and I'll be at the new place. So, here we go!

--Zul

Labels: Boston, New York

Okay so hate me because I never post here. Truth is I never really know what to say. I'm never sure what is happening anymore. I think we decided we would just get through school and then see where we were and where we could get jobs.

I will say however (keep in mind that no one should get excited) that I have been thinking lately a lot about New York. I think it would still be a great idea. I mean we both have friends there. It's far from my family, but I know I'll create my own family of friends there and that is kind of exciting.

I still have no idea what I want to do business wise after getting my degree, so i know I really need to get to figuring that out. This all depends on whether or not I can get a job there. Jobs aren't easy to come by anyways, so I need to get busy. The best I can do now is to focus on my school and sooner rather than lately get a job in an office somewhere and then hopefully next summer get an internship somewhere. I just need to get busy on figuring out a direction I want to head in.

Ok, so I decided that I might as well update you guys on what's going on with the Carthage scholarship and all that. I really have been postponing writing this post because well, the decision that I took has made me kind of sad. =( Anyways, I decided that I wouldn't go compete for the full tuition scholarship at Carthage and I'm pretty bummed out about it. Why? Well, honestly because I really think that I could've gotten it if I went and gave my all in it. But, of course, life has something else planned for me and I decided not to go compete.

What happened was that I started thinking, "How am I going to pay for an apartment if I do get the scholarship?" The thing is that if I do get the scholarship, it's only going to cover tuition and it's not going to cover my housing or anything like that. So, I brainstormed and thought of ways that I could pay rent if I were to have gotten the scholarship and well... first of all, I wouldn't be able to stay at the dorms because I'm over 25 so, I would have to get an apartment outside of school. And, that totally sucks. It really, really does. I mean, I would have to pay for an apartment and I don't know how I would pay for it unless I got a student loan to cover the costs of an apartment. So, the question is... if I got the scholarship, would I have been able to get a student loan?

The answer to that question is pretty much the reason why I decided not to go to Carthage and compete for the full tuition scholarship. I don't really know if I would be able to get a student loan to cover the rent of an apartment because well, to be honest... I have really bad credit and that sucks. There's no way that I'd be able to get a loan with the credit that I have and then I wouldn't be able to go take advantage of the full tuition scholarship. So, why not let a student that would probably be able to take full advantage of the scholarship and would be able to go to Carthage get that scholarship instead? I know, I know... I'm really thoughtful.

Also, my entire family was telling me that I shouldn't go and that it would be really horrible to have to take out loans to pay for an apartment and that I don't have money and that I would be all alone in a state where I know no one. I mean, seriously, when I say my entire family, I'm talking about my entire family. My sisters and my parents, all of them! So, they were really freaking me out and they really did get the best of me.

Honestly, for the most part, I don't let people's opinions influence me on what I have to do. For the most part because I always end up doing what I think is best and what I want to do. But, this time... they really did affect my decision because they really did scare me as to how I was going to do everything.

So, right now... I don't know what the hell is going on anymore. All I know is that I will not be going to Carthage next semester and that totally sucks big time. A lot because I really, really wanted to go so badly. But, it's ok. I've made my decision and I guess I'm going to have to stick by it. There's nothing else to do.

So, I guess I don't know what is going to happen from here on. I guess I will just have to wait until Rani graduates from Carthage and I can work towards a bachelors of some sort until we decide what we're going to do from there. Hopefully we'll be able to be roommates soon because that would be awesome. I would really love it if it was in NY. Maybe Atlanta would be really nice, too. Who knows?

Whatever happens, we'll definitely keep you guys posted. I hope everyone is well. Take care of yourselves.

Until next time.

--Zul

Labels: Carthage

I have some very, very good news!! I have been invited to compete at Carthage for the full tuition scholarship! Wow, this is so exciting. I can hardly believe it, really. You may be wondering how I found out, well... yesterday, I was taking a nap in the afternoon and I told myself, "When I wake up, I'll know exactly what I'm going to do with all this college business." The thing is that lately I've been stressing out about what I'm going to do with the Carthage financial aid because it's a big decision and it really is a lot of money that I don't really have.

Well, as soon as I woke up from my nap, I took a look at my Blackberry and I saw that I had received an email from my transfer advisor from Carthage. I wondered for a second about what it could be about and then when I opened the email and read it, I almost let out a scream! He was congratulating me on being one of the finalists to go compete at Carthage for the full tuition scholarship! I am so excited that I've been asked to go compete. I really am.

So, last night, I started looking for plane tickets and planning how I'm going to get to Carthage because, well... the competition is in about three weeks and I have to plan how I'm going to get to Wisconsin and where I'm going to stay and everything. I wonder how many people will go to compete for this scholarship. I hope only a few so that I have an even better chance of getting it. I would feel really confident if about ten students had been asked to go compete. I guess I'll find out once I get there on May 19th.

So, ok. Last night as I was planning everything, I was beginning to get stressed out, again! I mean, it's a lot of money. The plane, the hotel, and I found out that I might have to rent a car, too. So, all that is a lot of money to spend for two days in Wisconsin to go and see if they'll give me this scholarship. But, you know what? It might really be worth it. I mean, if I don't risk anything and I don't go, I'll definitely not get anything out of it, you know? But, if I take a risk and go, I might end up with a full tuition scholarship to Carthage! That would be a dream!!!

So, this email has made me think, "Do I really want to go to Carthage? What will I major in once I'm there? Am I really willing to spend this much money for merely a chance to get a full tuition scholarship?" All these questions have come to my mind in a matter of 24 hours! I've been going insane trying to figure out if it'll really be worth it and I always come back to the same decision: GO! Why? Well, if I don't go, I really won't know how far I'll get, you know? And, it might really be worth it if I go. I mean, a full tuition scholarship to Carthage!! That's insane.

I mean, what would really suck is if I go and then I don't get it. I think that would be the worst thing that could happen. But, then again, I'm really confident that I can get this scholarship, you know? I have a lot of faith in myself and I think that I can really wow whomever is making the decision. I mean, I really do honestly think that I have a chance at this! So, now all I have to do is make the arrangements to go to Carthage and spend the least amount of money possible. Thank God that I have some money saved up and that I can actually go to Carthage for this competition because if not, I would have no idea how I would get there or if I could even go compete.

So, I think that's it's pretty much decided that I will go compete for the full tuition scholarship at Carthage. I mean, this is pretty much what I've wanted all along, to get that full tuition scholarship. Being invited to compete is just one step closer to getting the scholarship. So, yes!

I'll definitely keep you guys posted as to what I end up doing and whatnot and I'll definitely let you guys know if I do get the scholarship and everything that goes on at Carthage for the two days that I'm there. This is so exciting!!

Ok, I'm going to leave you guys with that. I hope everyone is well and I will write back later to let you guys know what happens.

Bye!

--Zul

Labels: Carthage

I am so excited right now. You may be asking yourself, "Why is she so excited?" Well, let me tell you all about it! For the past week or so I had been waiting for my financial aid letter from Carthage. I was just waiting and waiting and I didn't know what was going on. I thought I might never get it. So, I asked Rani if she knew anything and she told me that she had received hers a couple of days before. That's when I really started freaking out because I didn't know if I would ever get mine.

But, I got it yesterday. When I went to check the mail, I saw the letter from Carthage and I thought it might be something that had to do with the full tuition scholarship because it didn't look like the financial aid package letter that they had sent me last year. This one was sent to me in a regular envelope. But, when I opened it, it was my financial aid letter and I was happy. I seriously was beginning to think that they had forgotten about me.

So, when I first looked at the letter, I didn't know what to think. I mean, it looked like they had given me a lot of financial aid but, I just didn't know what to think of it. Once I looked at everything they had given me, I immediately started thinking. And, guess what? I might actually be able to go to Carthage even if they don't give me the full tuition scholarship!!! I really might be able to go. I mean, I would definitely end up with some loans after college but, doesn't every student end up with loans after college? I mean, I know that if I end up going to a public school it'd be less loans but, I really want to go to Carthage and have the whole college experience away from home.

I don't know yet what I'm going to do but I was talking to Rani as I was looking over my financial aid and I told her how much I'd be getting and she agrees... it is a pretty good financial aid package! So, I just seriously have to think about what I'm going to do because I truly do want to go to Carthage and even though I don't really want to end up with loans after college, I think it would be great to be able to go to school at Carthage. It would just be really, really nice, I think.

So, of course one thing that I'd have to worry about is where I'm going to live because once you're over 25, you can't stay at the dorms. Bummer! But, I guess it's a good thing that Rani is considering rooming with me at an apartment outside of college. There are some really nice ones near Carthage and well, at least she's thinking about it. It would be cheaper for her to stay at one of the apartments with me but, she told me that it really does depend on whether she can get her license and a car or whatnot but, I did tell her that she doesn't have to worry about that because I'd be taking my car and we can just schedule classes at around the same time. But, who knows how that might work and maybe it would be better if she had her car because I don't know if she'd feel comfortable driving my car or whatever. Let's see.

I do really hope that I can go to Carthage and if I do, I really do hope that Rani can be my roommate. It would just be so cool and awesome, I think. Let's see what happens.

On other news, I'm still waiting to hear back about that full tuition scholarship to Carthage and waiting around to see if I do get invited to compete for the scholarship. It would be nice to get invited to compete but, I hope that if I'm not going to get it that I don't get invited at all. I just don't want to waste money in going all the way to Wisconsin if I'm not going to get it. I mean, I could save up that money for when and if I do end up going to Carthage next semester. And so far... it looks like I might be able to go. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Ok, that'll be all for now. I'll keep you guys posted on whatever happens with the scholarship and with my decision to go to Carthage. Obviously, Hofstra is out of the picture right now because I'm just so excited about being able to go to Carthage. So, let's hope that everything works out.

Until next time!

--Zul

Labels: financial aid

OMG, Rani and I have been missing! Yes, we have been kind of away from it all. Well, this is a quick update that I'm going to write and I'm going to make sure that I tell Rani that we have to start writing in this blog again. I mean, I think we still have in mind that we want to become roommates somewhere but, it's just kind of been put on hold with Rani being in Carthage and me not knowing what I want to do.

Last semester I decided to defer enrollment to Carthage for one year and the year is almost up. Wow, I can't believe that Rani has been at Carthage for one whole year but, yes... it is true. I have to start working towards something and I think that I've decided that I want to go to Carthage but, I'm just somewhat afraid because I don't know how I'm going to pay for it. I mean, Carthage is expensive, let me tell you.

What I did was I applied for a full tuition scholarship and I hope that I get it because without that scholarship, I pretty much won't be able to go to Carthage. I would just need to cover the living expenses and I think that I can manage that but only if I get the full tuition scholarship. I hope that I do, honestly... because if not, I'm going to have to move on to plan two and I have no plan two yet, so, I would pretty much have to improvise. Ohh, well. Let's see what happens. I'll keep you guys posted.

Anyways, that'll be all for now but don't think that we've forgotten about this blog. It's just that things have pretty much been put on hold for a bit.

I hope everyone is well.

--Zul

Labels: Carthage, Quick update

Where have Rani and I been?

--Zul

I know, I know I need to update everyone on everything. Blu kinda explained things but I know I need to put my two cents in. I have actually been doing school stuff and doing less procrastination which is awesome for me. So when I actually have a moment to procrastinate (trust me, I'll make one lol) I will write a proper post.

: )

-rani

I got accepted into Hofstra! I got the letter of acceptance a couple of days ago. Omygoodness!!! Now, I gotta figure out what I'm going to do. I'll keep you guys posted.

--Zul

Labels: Hofstra

So, last week I went to visit Rani. We had so much fun, seriously. We went to Carthage and I liked it. It was way smaller than I thought it would be, but... I liked it. Then, when I came back home on Friday after a crazyyyy day (Friday was insane travelling and everything) - on Saturday was my cousin's wedding and on Sunday I had to work at a Latin Expo.

I gotta say that I love my job, I really do. That is the reason why I'm most likely not going to end up at Carthage: I just love my job and it's going to be a great opportunity for me to meet a lot of people and do a lot of good things for myself. Hofstra is still in the run because I can live close enough to both work and Hofstra where I can just travel for an hour to work or an hour for school or whatever and it'll work. I mean, at least that's what I'm thinking. I don't know how it would play out, though.

But, that's what's been happening. I'm sure Rani will post something soon.

I hope everyone is well and I will talk to you guys later.

Bye.

--Zul

Labels: Carthage, Hofstra, wisconsin, work

I got a job today. A really good job, too. I've been looking for Rani all afternoon to let her know and... well, I think she's sleeping. So, I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow to tell her. Or, I might actually shoot her an email to let her know that I got a job. I'm really excited because it's a very, very good job at a radio station. So, I'm really excited about it.

Tomorrow I have to go to Hofstra University for a transfer open house but I don't know if I'll go because, since I have this job... I don't know if I should be moving to New York in the Fall, even if just for school. I mean... I really think this job opportunity is extremely amazing and I'm going to use it to my advantage. I might have to stay in Connecticut and... I guess that's not a bad thing. I mean, I'll see what Rani thinks but, I'm definitely going to take advantage of this job opportunity. So, I might end up staying in Connecticut for a while.

Anyways, I just wanted to let you guys know that I got a job, and that it's a really good job and that I love my life right now. Everything is just working out.

Yes!

--Zul

Labels: jobs, radio station

Blu pretty much covered everything. I figured everything was set (well as set as it can be with us changing our minds all the time), but then I received the packet from Carthage College in the mail. It just looked so nice and it's a small college which is a big selling point from me. I was kinda nervous telling Blu, but she seemed excited for me and we decided it was probably for the best since it would be easier for us to relocate to a city with degrees.

So, I went and saw and applied. What's funny is that Blu actually submitted her application before I did. I just kept talking about Carthage and the thought occurred to me that it would be cool if she went, but figured it wouldn't interest her since she liked it where she was. It was just so nice there and the more I talked about it the more interested she became so we spent the whole night looking at the school's website and talking about it. She ended up applying. The next day I applied. Now we are waiting.

I know that she might not like it when she sees it, I doubt it, but its possible. Or there might be a problem or something and she can't go. Or maybe we just aren't compatible as roommates (highly unlikely but we like to look at every angle). I mean worst case scenario is that she comes out and we go to Carthage overnight and she doesn't like it and we don't want to be roommates. I mean it's good we figure it out now and you know what? That isn't gonna stop us from being friends and having hilarious conversations over the internet. It's better this way so we know. Honestly, I believe that we will be fine together and she will like it there, but if she doesn't then she doesn't and we look ahead to when we both have our degrees.

Personally I can't wait till next month when she comes. I mean I'm usually not good when anyone comes over cause I never know what to do, but I don't think that will be a problem this time. I'm pretty sure we can just do the things we do over skype together. I foresee us sitting at the computer laughing at stupid YouTube videos and analyzing peoples tweets, and laughing at ridiculous things that our family member have done. I also hope there is enough snow that we can sled down our hill once or twice (if I can talk her into it lol), but not a whole bunch to where she wont want to move over here for school.

Okay, as I am writing this I am talking to Blu on a messenger and we just figured out that tomorrow will be exactly three weeks until she comes here! So exciting! I hope she is not disappointed in anything with her visit cause it would be awesome to room together at college. I just know that above everything I want her to do what is right for her. If Hofstra would be better for her then I want her to go there. She is my friend and I love her and I need her to be happy for me to be. Whatever happens I know that we will continue to be friends and have hilarious times together.

-rani

P.S. I am so excited!!!!

I believe it was yesterday morning when I heard someone singing a karaoke. They were singing "Empire State of Mind" or whatever that song is called and they were all like, "Let's hear it for New York, New York..." I almost died when someone else said, "Ohh, that's the remix." Hahahaha. I immediately thought of P. Diddy and I almost died. It was hilarious. But, I got happy about the prospect of being in New York and about when it will finally take place.

So, Rani and I have been talking lately that we should let you guys in on what is going on. I guess I should let you guys know because it's only fair that you guys know.

About a month and a half ago, Rani got a package from a college in the mail. She didn't request it but she looked through it. At the moment, she's in a college where she does all her classes online, which is cool because she could move to New York and just do her classes online still. But, as Rani was looking through the papers of the college, she began to get excited and stuff.

So, she decided to go visit the college and she decided to apply. She mentioned it to me before she went to visit the school and I was like, "That's great!" So, it was no surprise when she told me that she thought she would apply. This obviously puts our plans for New York/Connecticut or wherever back about two or three years. But, in the end it is so much better because by that time Rani and I will both have a college degree. And, let's be honest, it is much easier to make it in the city with a job when one has a college degree.

Well, when Rani got back from Carthage College she told me all about how it went. I got really excited for her and well, I decided I would check it out. It was hilarious because Rani and I were on Skype and she kept trying to convince me to apply to Carthage. Well, honestly... I started thinking about applying to colleges because I have been at the community college level for quite some time and it is time for me to be at an university. So, I ended up applying to Carthage with Rani.

I mean, I also looked at Hofstra University in New York because, well, they have some really good majors and such. And it would be nice to be in New York. I had applied to Hofstra back when I graduated high school in 2001 and I got accepted so, I don't see how I couldn't get accepted now that I have some college credits and a pretty good GPA at that.

So, I applied at Hofstra and at Carthage and I'm really excited about both of them. In mid-March, I'm going to go visit Hofstra for the day and, ohh... the week after that, during Spring Break... I'm going to go visit Rani and we're going to go stay over one night at Carthage College. If we do end up going to Carthage, we are going to be roommates, duh!

So, that's that.

What else do I need to mention? Ohh, yes... I also applied for re-admission to the University of Massachusetts in Boston because they might finally give me my apartment from public housing. And, if they do... then, I will have to make some decisions about whether I will take the apartment or just go to these other schools or whatever. I don't know yet.

Either way, I'm excited.

Rani will tell you guys more information later.

Until next time,
--Zul

Labels: Carthage, College