A very Interesting Pathfinder

In Foundation's class we took a quiz to figure out our "financial identities".  The options were Tenderfoot, Pathfinder, Trooper, and Nomad. I was interested when I got the results saying I was a pathfinder.

At first glance I was a bit confused but once I read over the description it fit me very well. This is what it said, "You are actively engaged in learning about financial matters. You seek information from multiple sources and explore different approaches to managing your finances. You think before making financial choices and are flexible when it comes to making decisions. However, when you make a financial decision, you are committed to that choice. You take initiative to figure out responsible money management skills on your own." 

Wow lots of words right! Honestly, it really described me well as a person.  I love learning how to do things several different ways but once I find one I love, I stick with it!!

Some questions I was asked to answer were these:

1. What are the pros and cons of this decision? Is there a more efficient or effective way way to achieve my goal?
2. How could I be doing more to invest in my future?
3. Should I talk to a financial professional before making this decision?
4. How could I be doing more to reach my short-and long-term goals?
5. What adjustments could I make to my budget to reach my goals faster?

Number 1, pros and cons are lists are my favorite things ever!! When I went through rush every night I would sit down and make a long pros and cons list about all my choices, it helped calm me a bit in such a tough situation. I think looking at more effective and efficient ways to do things is important for me. I may get stuck on one of doing things and maybe there is a better way to do them.

Number 2,  investing in my future is a big deal for me. My college may be 6-8 years depending on if/when I get more doctorate. It will be a steep climb but one worth while. Maybe setting aside more of my money would help me get prepared to save up for those expensive college bills! 

Number 3, talking to a professional is always a good idea. Come on, they know what they are talking about(no matter how crazy they may see). Consulting a financial professional before I dive into something would really help me.

Number 4, this one kinda ties into number 2. Long term budgeting and watching how much I spend. Short term making I spend less money then I get and buy only needs and not wants. I am a very goal oriented person I so understand well how short term and long term goals work!

Finally number 5, also ties into number 2! If I really put just a little bit more effort into budgeting it would really help me in the long run. It sounds a bit clique but hey it is gonna work for the best, right?

Overall this budgeting quiz gave me some great insights on how to spend/save my money in a way that works for me!

Third week and the Three Visitors

Week Three was awesome and I can hardly believe that we are already at this point in school. It may seem silly to say that so soon but honestly I felt like I have climbed Mount Everest to get here!

Normally I would take you through my week day by day but last week was a bit dry until the weekend. I will give you a short summary of my week and then go onto the fun stuff!

Monday was well Monday, it was one of those days were you the whole time you are thinking about how far away Tuesday. Don't get me wrong though it wasn't awful or anything it just lacked excitement. OK actually it kinda did because I got to run on the treadmill which I do quite often but running to me is such a great outlet for me.

Tuesday was fun because I had my new member meeting for the first time at AOPI. We were kinda introduced to the whole sorority and what it stands for which i like!

Wednesday was dry and boring again except that I joined the Equestrian Team!! I am super excited to start and tryouts are this Sunday. I rode a lot as a kid but not in high-school because of the money but now I get to pick it back up again!!

Thursday was slow but I got lots of homework done because of it!

Friday is when my three guests came. I had been waiting anxiously for their arrival since they dropped me off 21 days ago! I went to go pick up one of them, my dad, at the airport at 4pm. I got him easily but my mom asked us to find a Publix and we got lost in Bham for 40 minutes! It was cool to see the whole town though!
My little sister and Mom met us at the hotel where we would be staying for the next two nights but Camryn(my sister) had other plans. She begged me to let her spend the night in the dorm with me and since my room-mate wasn't there that night she was ok with it and so was my RA. We stayed up really late watching old Disney movies and laughing.

Saturday was busy to say the least. We woke up early and waited for our parents to arrive so we could get started for the tailgate. Once they got here we went to Ben Brown to get set up with another family we knew from home. We all ate and talked forever but it was so nice to catch up with everyone and show them my new home. Eventually Camryn and her friend got into a little dispute about who could braid hair better so they both tied my hair in knots. Her friend Bella does have quite a knack for braids though. She called this one a waterfall twist:
 
I love to make bracelets, color, and braid so I was impressed to say the least and in the end I think she won(don't tell Camryn).

We ended up not going to the game because it was so incredibly hot! I'm pretty sure I melted a few times that day.

The rest of the day we shopped and got cookie fix which was amazing!! That night I did get to stay in the hotel and sleep in a comfortable bed! We watched the Auburn game and the Texas A&M game but once the A&M game was on I was out right after half-time I was wiped!

Sunday was when they left which was sad but I am kinda getting used to it now. We went to Church of the Highlands which I loved and I plan to go back this Sunday or try out another church! They also gave me a Harry Potter coloring book which I love even though it has taken forever to even color this much!


I know this coming week is going to be hectic so I am very glad this week was a bit more relaxed!

P.S. Hamilton my fish is still alive and well!!

Second Week and Rush!

This week has been a roller-coaster of events! Rush really took up most of my time so school took a bit of a backseat. 

  Monday we had off so I consisted of me coming back to Bham and actually getting a beta fish! As a kid I almost always had a fish, but after they all kept dying I stopped getting them. I thought a beta would brighten up my room and bring a smile to any visitors face! His name is Hamilton based off of my all time favorite musical Hamilton! He may be a fish but he's super sweet and loves to eat!! Here is a picture of him(I promise he looks less pitiful in real life!):

Tuesday was when rush started! It was so much fun to meet all the different houses and the sisters in there! At first it was so nerve-wracking I wanted to puke! After a few houses though it became easier and felt like a simple conversation. It was hard just to choose a top four that night since I loved all of them!

Wednesday was my day off of rush so I stayed in my dorm and caught up on lots of homework! I had so much and did not have time to do much of it on Tuesday. Lots of studying went into that night but it was not that boring. I love most all of my classes so far making studying quite easy. 

Thursday and Friday was more rush and I went to 4 houses, 3 were my top and one was my 5th choice. I again was super nervous but after I went to one house every other house felt like a breeze. That day I also had lunch with my Foundations professor which I really enjoyed. It was fun and an easy conversation about her application for a school education thing that I can't seem to remember. I do hope she gets it though. 

Saturday was more rush and I was down to my final two which i was excited about. Both of the house were very good and I was excited to get into AOPi. I have a picture of me accepting my bid here: 

Overall it was a crazy hectic week but I loved every second of it! I hope next week is just as good.

First Week of College

The first week of college was scary and exciting. So far I have loved almost every second of it. It is so much better than high-school and I can hardly wait to continue on this great journey.

So far my favorite class has probably been UCCP or Cultural Perspectives. I love to read and I was excited by all the books that were shipped to my house month ago for it. Not to mention, my teacher, Dr. Vaughn Cross is amazing. She is hands down my favorite teacher. She teaches the class in a way that is interesting yet simple. She also really lets us run the conversations and will put little inputs when needed. She seems to really love what she does and wants us to love it too.

The only class I am a bit concerned about it Pre-Cal. I have excelled at math in the past and last week was pretty easy but I have fear for the future. My teacher is very good but she teaches very differently from the way I was taught in the past. It can confuse me a bit but luckily I have some friends in that class that could help me if ever needed. Khan Academy has also already been a helping hand, so it may be tricky but I can manage.

Having a "challenge" like college is exciting. I love doing hard tasks and seeing what I am capable of, this is why high school was incredibly boring for me. I can sense college is going to be a great 6 years!

One friend I made was technically in my connection group. We really didn't get close though until she said she wanted to run. I love to run and it really helps me get rid of nerves. We became fast friends and have different interests but still get along well. Her, another friend, and I have started hanging out together and it is nice to have two girls I can be with whenever needed(even if all our classes are all different).

On Wednesday actually we all went to the planetarium together! It was me, Olivia, and Maddie(my two friends) with a few others. It was so amazing to see all the planets and stars. It was really something I look forward too and I can't wait to go again.

I also went to the student organization fair on Thursday with a different Maddie(there are quite a few :)). We both showed interest in joining the Cultural Club. I was interested because I lived in Singapore for about a year and a half. This made me super interested in the world and cultures around me and I can't wait to see all the different cultures they do.

Overall this whole week was great! I was really expecting nothing exciting and mainly just mean teachers but I was awesome to see that they really care. I can't wait to continue my Samford Career!