My Year on Campus + Apartment Hunting

 In a little more than a month, I will be moving out of my on-campus apartment after my first year at my university.  Let's just say my experience was good, but I am ready to move on.

I lived in a 3 single-bedroom suite with two other girls, and for the duration of the semester, we probably spoke to each other about 10 times at the most.  We could not be any more different! I find this weird, but we're not even friends on Facebook.  There was not a connection made, and I hate it.  After I transferred from a local community college, I was excited to establish relationships with the people I was going to live with.  Our relationship consisted of telling each other when we didn't do something right, or sending each other passive-aggressive texts when we were displeased about something.  I am so done, and so ready to move on.

Now, one of my best friends Erica and I have made the decision to move in together for the next academic year in a 2 bedroom apartment, just a few miles from my University.  What is so great, is that we have a great friendship, and we both live similar lifestyles.

             How we are the same:
             - We are both in serious, long-term relationships.
             - We are both students.
             - We are both working in similar fields.
             - We both love the Giants

How we differ:            

-I am pretty high maintenance, (super girly-girl) she isn't . 

too much of this in one place could be detrimental

- She  will be pursuing her credentials for teaching, while  I'm still doing undergrad  work.

-  My boyfriend is going to be living across the street, weird.

For our apartment hunting process, we began early.  Since she is still living in Central California, finishing up her undergraduate studies, we had to stretch this process out for more security.  We set a budget, browsed various website and set up a top 5 list.  

Originally, we planned on a 2 bedroom/1 bathroom apartment, since that always seems to be a cheaper option, and I don't really find it necessary to have my own bathroom.  (I have been able to share a bathroom with 2 other girls seamlessly.)  We also wanted to be near the highway for accessibility to school and work, as well as in between our church and school.  We definitely did NOT want to live in the downtown area, since it is just plain-old-sketchy, and as two women, we did not feel comfortable making that decision.  

Last week, we scoped out our top choices, and I really liked a few, but some were a little over our budget.  Then we were referred to an apartment complex that is relatively close to my boyfriends, AND it fit right in our budget.  Both Erica and I are very familiar with that area, and feel that it is safe, and accessible.  The perks of this apartment is that it is 2/2 and the rooms are on opposite sides of the apartment.  We both fell in love instantly, since we know we do want our personal space while we live together as well.  The kitchen/living area is what separates our rooms, and both rooms are the same size! ( I was worrying about who would get the larger room/closet space/etc) But with the even shared space, we can split right down the middle!

We are planning to give our deposit in the next few weeks, and discuss move-in times soon! I want to have a good amount of time in this apartment over the summer, just because of how close it is to where I work, and before we go on tour.  You have no idea how excited I am for this, because Erica and I are friends, and we are able to build on our friendship with this experience. 

Bye for now,

-nalovita.

Happy Monday!

My selfie post of the week! My confidence is through the roof, and hopefully it stays like this while I continue my "midterms month". 1 Online Response, 1 Exam, 2 Papers, and 1 Proposal due.  Then Thursday Dylan will be home and it will be the beginning of my spring break!  Could use the positive thoughts and prayers!

Bye for now,
-nalovita.

End of the semester wind down?

Tomorrow I will be caught up with all the work that I have missed while I went to the Philippines.  I seriously can't believe that I almost done with my first semester at University!  I have 3 more semesters to go, and it's just getting closer and closer.  I'm proud to say that I have a pretty consistent above average g.p.a now, and I have never felt so proud of myself!  I have been striving to excel, especially in my study of Anthropology, but honestly when I first started at University, I was very intimidated, and I did not know if I was cut out for this field, but naturally I think I am.  After a lot of change, from Graphic Design to Child Development, I am so happy with my final major choice.  I know many people move on to their careers with jobs that don't have anything to with their major, but I am happy that I am understanding how the human society works, and learning in depth on different cultures, and applying theory to my understanding.

This morning was my registration for the Spring semester, and I am so happy with the courses, as well as the time schedule.  I don't usually check on ratemyprofessor.com anymore, just because I feel that the people who go on there to write a review, do so to complain, or to highly praise.  In short, I don't feel that they are very accurate.  Besides, I can't really complain because there is a limited amount of upper division courses offered at my school.  The courses are very specified but it's alright.

Here are my courses for the Spring semester:
- Intro to Human Rights and Justice: Not an anthropology course, but I am so excited, because I want to study this on an academic level, and apply it to my life later on, wait.. NOW. Besides, I do have Micah 6:8 tattooed on my body.

- Culture and Adaptation: Really interested to see what this course has to offer, because I have been complaining all semester that I have not been able to study culture at all. AND this fulfills the final archaeology requirement that I need, while it also fills in for cultural.  A benefit is that I am currently taking a class with this professor, and he's alright, nothing bad about him.

- Urban Anthropology: I think this course is going to be great! Unsure if it will be focusing on U.S. Urban cities, but understanding the structure and culture of urban cities and compare it to other ways of life will be interesting.  Hopefully I can do some observation research, another excuse to go to San Francisco!!

- Modernity and Disease: Honestly, I am afraid for this class, I feel that it will make me a germaphobe, but it does fulfill my physical anthropology requirement, since I do have to take anthropology classes from all four disciplines.  I have gotten word about this professor from a peer, and she said she doesn't like her course structure, but hopefully I will disagree.

- Pilates/Yoga: I need to take 2 units of P.E. and well, I want to get into shape and start living a healthy lifestyle.  I have gained 20+ pounds since starting college, and I'm just not feeling so great about myself physically, so hopefully this will begin a healthy life change.


But before I get to these classes, I need to finish this semester! I have a lot on my plate, but luckily, I have a lot of guidance from my professors, who have been so helpful in my difficult times and understanding.  I have a basis topic on my research paper for my Gender, Sexuality & Religion class, and I think I want research Women and Interfaith groups.  My boyfriend's parents have a library full of books with topics like this, so I should utilize it!  My research paper for Theories of Culture, I am comparing two ethnographies on the Cambodian culture.  One pre-dates the 1970's and the other is after.  It is more of a comparison, but I am going to talk about how the Khmer Rouge potentially affected Cambodian refugees and etc etc (I haven't started, lolz).  Right now, in Indians of California, we are discussing Indian Gaming (Casinos) and the pros and cons, and then we are going to summarize our whole class.

So as you can see, a lot on my plate, that doesn't include final exams or anything, but at least these topics are interesting and make me excited.  At the end of the semester, I am going to review each course I took, and state what I loved and disliked, as well as critique my professors.  I feel that the term "winding down" is completely opposite from what is happening in my courses right now, but I am so excited for the semester to be OVER! December 18 and I will have a glorious 1 month+ break.  I felt that I have learned a lot, but man am overloaded.

I guess that is all I have to say for now, that was quite lengthy, but I needed to reflect, if you read this, thanks! What have been your favorite courses in your college career? If you're not in college yet, what are you interested in studying? I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

Bye for now,
-nalovita.

p.s. I turn 21 in 1 week! :)