I'm back in Chicago! August 21, 2014

This semester is my last semester of undergraduate, and after all of my troubles & tribulations over the past three years is making want to document this last semester and my journey of reaching my goal of graduating from Loyola with my accounting degree.

I got into Chicago on the 19th, after spending a week with Josh & Addie in Vegas for a week. It was such a great trip. I got to see my niece everyday and build our relationship, I felt so much at home with them. Growing up, I was very close with Josh so he's like a brother to me. Seeing happy with his little family and all grown up is so great. I'm so glad he found Addie & they have the most adorable love story. I only went gambling once but I won! I hit a few jackpots totaling to about $900. I gave Josh & Addie half of my winnings since they were letting me stay with them for free and I wanted them to go out without the kids and have a date night.

If you know me, if I care about you, I am very generous and if I can afford to help someone out or give someone something special I will. Money doesn't have much value to me. It gives me a feeling of security knowing that if anything happens I can get myself out of it, but other than that, I rather give back to my family and friends or take them out somewhere than go shopping for myself.

Well, on that note of financial security, right now I am starting to freak out! I am being supported by my grandmother while I'm up here. She gave me quite a lot of money expecting it to be enough for a few months. Well, I didn't realize how expensive everything was going to be and after paying for my tuition, baggage fees from my flights, apartment fees & rent for this month, and a trip to target and cvs, I barely have enough to pay for my books this semester. So the job hunt is on! I hate that I'm going to have to ask for more money in order to pay rent on the 1st, books & school supplies. And I really wanted to buy myself a laptop for school. Having just an iPad isn't really enough, but it's going to have to be for now. I've been so tired from running around that my apartment looks like a hurricane ran through it considering I've only been here for one night!

On a positive note, I have the essentials in my apartment, a bed, linens, towels, soap, shampoo, etc. I haven't gone grocery shopping yet though. After two long days of flying and working with my Mom back at home on getting forms signed and notarized in order to secure my apartment, I was too tired to move! So I used GrubHub, which I have missed so much, to order delivery. I had a great night of sleep, but I still feel so tired and sore from yesterday that I've decided to play a hiatus on life for the day. The only thing I plan on leaving my apartment for is food. And even that, I might just get delivery again. Hehe. I think Mother Nature agrees with me because it has been raining and overcast all day.

Alright, well I have some crocheting to do and I need to break down my finances and start applying for jobs & internships! 

- Ally

Change is everywhere!!!

Man, this summer sure has taken a huge turn! & I think it's actually for the better. Firstly, I'm no longer moving to Denver. Instead, I'm moving back to CHICAGO! After weeks of no responses from Loyola, I finally got in touch with the Dean of Students and worked out all of the issues with my application and return & I got re-accepted! On top of being re-accepted, I will also be graduating in December with my Bachelor's degree in Accounting. I'm so excited to go back to Chicago and finally finish my degree! And to add a cherry on top of everything, Loyola gave me way more financial aid that Regis was going to give me!

So since all of this has happened, I've currently been working on finding a place to live and a job/internship/work-study for the semester. I will be taking two accounting classes; audit & non-profit accounting, business capstone, intro to buddhism (I'm so excited about this class!), and an internship/career development class. I'm pretty excited for my classes. I'm such a nerd but at the same time I can't believe all this is happening so fast! Once I get my degree I can begin my journey to getting my CPA...Which means four long greuling tests and two years of experience. It's going to be a long journey but it's one I have mentally been preparing myself for and one of my biggest goals in life. & of course, I'll have my yarn & hook to keep me sane while all of this is going on! 

I haven't really been crocheting much because I've been so overwhelmed with everything going on and I've been trying to take advantage of my final few weeks at home by going to the beach a lot and hanging out with friends and family. I'm going to miss Hawaii, but I can't wait to move on to the next chapter of my life. :)

Polyfil, Safety Eyes & Amigurumi

Gosh, I told myself I was going to pay more attention to my blog this summer and so far, I've done a pretty bad job! I wish I could say it's because I found a job or I have been really busy, but in reality I've just been so lazy!

I've pretty much given up on finding a job here before I leave, since I'll be gone in about a month and a half. My plans for transferring to Regis University in Denver has been so up in the air lately. My financial aid is being such a pain! Since I took a medical leave from Loyola and I've been to three schools in three years, Regis wasn't going to approve my FAFSA! In other words, I would have to spend almost $40,000/year on tuition alone! I quickly started calling and e-mailing people and I filed an appeal. Yesterday I found out that my appeal was APPROVED! I should find out how much financial aid I'll be getting in the next week or so.

Unfortunately for Regis, since I had to think of a plan B and a plan C if my appeal didn't get approved, I looked into going to Colorado State instead. Man! The tuition is so much cheaper, there are more classes available, and I'd probably get to graduate faster because I already have my AA. I just applied to Colorado State University in Denver today, so we'll see what happens!

As for my crochet life, yes, I call it a life, I've been hooked on amigurumi! Last week I made my first amigurumi since the cupcakes I made over a year ago for my friend's baby shower! I used the "spring bunnies" pattern found on allaboutami.com. I love her blog! She has great FREE patterns and is so passionate about crochet and amigurumi. If you haven't heard of her, you definitely need to go check her out! You will not be disappointed!

This little guy doesn't have a name, but he is a zombie! (Since I didn't have any safety eyes at the time, I decided to sew little x's and turn him into a zombie. I even tried to face his arms straight, but it was a little squished. Hehe)

Anywho, I'm currently working on another amigurumi so be sure to check back next week when I have the finished product. :) 

It's summer!

Update on life:

1. I did get a 3.4 not quite the 3.5 I wanted but pretty close!

2. I got accepted to Regis University and will be attending for Fall 2014!

3. I've been slacking on my crocheting :( school got the best of me and now I'm just so lazy! It feels awesome to just do nothing everyday. 

I'm gonna start paying attention to my blog and I'll pick up my hook soon! Hehe 

Bringing in 2014 with some resolutions

-Get a 3.5 gpa next semester

-Apply to Loyola & Colorado schools

-Finish my BA in Accounting

-Have a stable well-paying job(s)

-Remember that regrets are a waste of time and emotion and to keep my head high and focused on the future. 

-Enhance my crochet skills

-Learn to ride a bike

-Begin the journey of getting my CPA license 

-Make new friends & rekindle old friendships 

Good-bye 2013. Thanks for all of the life lessons learned; both good and bad. I lost my uncle to a heart attack early this year but I also got my brother back from jail. I'm recovering from severe anxiety and depression and I'm gaining my confidence back. My life has never been easy & I'm sure 2014 will have just as many roller coasters. But I've finally learned that every setback is just a clarification of who I am and what I believe in. 

It's almost 2014!

I can't believe how fast this year went by!  It wasn't my most impressive year but I'm happy with what I did accomplish. 

I learned to crochet.

I taught myself basic yoga. 

I went back to school. 

I got a job. 

And most of all, I'm finally feeling comfortable in my own skin again. 

I never thought I would have a passion for crocheting but I'm blessed to have found it. It has been my getaway, my meditation, my craft, and most of all it's something I love doing! And now that schools out and the holidays are pretty much over, I get to relax and get back to yarn and hook. 

I always make New Years resolutions and this year is no different. I can't wait to grow more as a person and feel confident and ambitious for all of the ups and downs 2014 has in store for me. 

Expect an improved Ally next year. No doubt about it. 😘✌️

Semester hiatus

So sorry. I haven't picked up a hook in months!!! I've been working and going to school so I've been too busy to do anything else! It's sad though cuz I've had dreams about crocheting! I'm such a dork. Once the semester is over I'll be back to my old ways :)