So, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year's, and that you were with your loved ones like I was. :)
With the new year comes a brand new chapter(s) in one's life. For me, it's finally getting settled in a new place in Virginia, and hopefully this one will stick. My last living situation was bad; worse than anything (and I've had bad experiences before). Another new chapter is my job. No, I didn't quit or anything, but it's now finally settled. I'm getting a cosmetic dental makeover, which is good. So, expect a brand new smile on me in a next coming weeks.
New Year is always an encouraging time, as it means new beginnings; a fresh start. And we all know everyone likes a fresh start, regardless of what it is. And one of these fresh new starts, other than getting a new place, is also New Year's Resolutions. Mine, after getting a much needed dental cleaning, is cutting down on sugar. That doesn't mean completely getting rid of sugar from my diet, but it means cutting it down. I'm starting out gradually, such as only having one sugary treat a day and no longer sodas in my diet; drink more water and actually take better care of myself in terms of oral hygiene. You are only blessed with one set of teeth for life, and I'm going to take the best care of them.
I do hope everyone has a fantastic New Year, and may all of your wishes come true and may you be blessed with happiness. :)
Monday, January 9, 2012
Sunday, November 13, 2011
It's been too long
It's been too long since my last post on this blog. I'm now living in a new place (I'm now in DC, not DC metro area), and I have my dream job (I'm working as a Social Media Marketing Aide for a small dental office). I'm in a new relationship, and simply put I'm really happy with my life right now.
I'm going to be taking the GREs soon, and that's scaring me. I'm so glad to see that my last post on handling security deposits got some positive feedback. I, of course, followed through with my post and got my security deposit back from my last landlord. I love the new place that I'm living in, as it's in the heart of the DC, but still close enough to the VA border (I work in VA). I am, however, looking for a second job as I feel like, after finding a new job and new place, I have more free time on my hands than ever. The second job, I'm in no hurry to find. I hope you all are doing well, and expect more posts coming up!
I'm going to be taking the GREs soon, and that's scaring me. I'm so glad to see that my last post on handling security deposits got some positive feedback. I, of course, followed through with my post and got my security deposit back from my last landlord. I love the new place that I'm living in, as it's in the heart of the DC, but still close enough to the VA border (I work in VA). I am, however, looking for a second job as I feel like, after finding a new job and new place, I have more free time on my hands than ever. The second job, I'm in no hurry to find. I hope you all are doing well, and expect more posts coming up!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
update on security deposit
Sadly, I will not be getting my security deposit back, as I did not give a WRITTEN notice of my move out date (hate loopholes). The gentleman at the housing agency was kind enough to give me some advice that I will share with you all:
1) You're move out date must be given to your landlord, by letter/written notice, by the number of days written in your lease (for me, it was at least a 30 day notice)
2) Write a checklist of damages that were already in the room/apartment BEFORE you move in. That way, the landlord can't charge you for things that were already damaged
3) After you move out, if your landlord still has not given your security deposit back, write them a letter politely asking for it back. Give them about a month, and if there is still not response you can take them to court
Have a COPY OF ALL DOCUMENTS. That way, when you go to court, you have proof and you have a better chance of getting your security deposit back. Don't be afraid to ask for advice either before and/or after you move out from you state housing agency. They can give you some great advice, and they are always on your side. The gentleman was very sympathetic about my plight, and was very willing to help in any way possible.
On a brighter note, for all you ladies out there, yahoo recently published a list of 10 things that every girl should have in her closet. Here's the link: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/10-classic-staples-for-under-50-2445944/;_ylt=AgXje4hqobolFgWBIXWMdFhobqU5#photoViewer=1
Now granted that some of these things should not be so cheap if you're hoping to wear them for a while, but these looks are timeless nonetheless. I have pretty much all of the things on the list (it was unintentional), but regardless of your style I feel like every girl should have a variant of these things in her closet.
1) You're move out date must be given to your landlord, by letter/written notice, by the number of days written in your lease (for me, it was at least a 30 day notice)
2) Write a checklist of damages that were already in the room/apartment BEFORE you move in. That way, the landlord can't charge you for things that were already damaged
3) After you move out, if your landlord still has not given your security deposit back, write them a letter politely asking for it back. Give them about a month, and if there is still not response you can take them to court
Have a COPY OF ALL DOCUMENTS. That way, when you go to court, you have proof and you have a better chance of getting your security deposit back. Don't be afraid to ask for advice either before and/or after you move out from you state housing agency. They can give you some great advice, and they are always on your side. The gentleman was very sympathetic about my plight, and was very willing to help in any way possible.
On a brighter note, for all you ladies out there, yahoo recently published a list of 10 things that every girl should have in her closet. Here's the link: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/10-classic-staples-for-under-50-2445944/;_ylt=AgXje4hqobolFgWBIXWMdFhobqU5#photoViewer=1
Now granted that some of these things should not be so cheap if you're hoping to wear them for a while, but these looks are timeless nonetheless. I have pretty much all of the things on the list (it was unintentional), but regardless of your style I feel like every girl should have a variant of these things in her closet.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Finding that perfect match...
When it comes to finding a place to live, nothing is harder than finding that perfect match. Location, roommates, and price all matter, and it can be a very frustrating experience. One of my friends requested I write an entry on house hunting, and I happily oblige and share my story.
I first had to find a place when my friend's apartment was broken into, and I was given a deadline of when to move out by her landlord. I looked all over Alexandria, VA, as that's where my job is. It's hard, because I couldn't afford anything fancy, nor did I want to. My price range had to be cheap, but at the same time I needed a bus stop nearby. All of the places that I looked at, the potential roommates were wonderful. All of the places had a bus stop nearby, and the roommates were really nice. The place that I eventually picked, in my mind, was too good to be true. For many Asian kids, we are bind to make the parents happy, and I had to follow some guidelines, such as it had to be all girls. My first place was great. The landlord was a lady, and my roommate was a sweet girl from Russia.
When I moved in, I loved it there, but then problems started to arise. For one, the house was too far from the metro, and I didn't think of it at the time. I go into DC pretty much every weekend, and having to wait for the bus was dreadful. Furthermore, the landlord's boyfriend was staying over for a few weeks, and his personality clashed with me and my Russian roommate. There was constant tension in the house, and thus that was the final straw for me to move out.
When I was looking for my second place, I now knew what I needed. I needed to be close to a metro stop, but at the same time I couldn't be too far away from Alexandria. The place that I'm staying at now, is the perfect fit because I get along with all of the roommates, we mind our own businesses, and communication is open. If any one of us had a problem, we aren't afraid to address it with the other person.
I guess what I"m trying to say here, is that it takes time and patience to find that perfect fit. Here are some guidelines that I learned along the way:
1) Try to meet all of the roommates. I know that sometimes with people's schedules, it's difficult. But if it's at all possible, do it and talk to them. By talking to them, you'll get a sense of their personalities and see if you guys match.
2) Take your time. As I was in a rush during my first house hunting experience, I didn't get much time to think about my decision and I just went with it. Therefore, the experience was horrible.
3) Take a look at the lease. If you prefer a month-to-month lease, make sure that it is a month-to-month lease. Try to establish a good relationship with your landlord, for when problems do come up they can be easily solved
4) When living with your roommates, get a sense of their habits. If something about them really bothers you, talk to them. If they don't want to listen, and things go from bad to worse, know that you have the option to seek legal help, or move out (this all depends on your lease)
Nothing is foul-proof, and you'll never know what kind of roommate you'll have until you actually live with them. But, by meeting with them, either at the place where you'll be potentially renting or somewhere else, you can get a feel for whether or not you guys are a good match. All of this is nothing more than a learning experience, and with time you'll get to see how screening your new roommates and the area truly works.
On where to look for roommates and places to rent, Craigslist is a great place to look. I know some of these ads sound creepy, but contact these people anyways. Then, when you meet up with them, get a feel for the area. One of my potential roommates gave a great suggestion on determining if the area is sketchy or not. She said that if there is a lot of traffic and people, and a lot of lighting, most likely it is a safe neighborhood. I followed her advice, and don't be afraid to ask the potential roommate. Other places to look, try Google. I found some great websites for renting in the DC metro area just by simply using Google.
I hope this advice helps, and I'll be updating more on this when I move out, again, at the end of April (my lease at this apartment ends then). Good luck!
I first had to find a place when my friend's apartment was broken into, and I was given a deadline of when to move out by her landlord. I looked all over Alexandria, VA, as that's where my job is. It's hard, because I couldn't afford anything fancy, nor did I want to. My price range had to be cheap, but at the same time I needed a bus stop nearby. All of the places that I looked at, the potential roommates were wonderful. All of the places had a bus stop nearby, and the roommates were really nice. The place that I eventually picked, in my mind, was too good to be true. For many Asian kids, we are bind to make the parents happy, and I had to follow some guidelines, such as it had to be all girls. My first place was great. The landlord was a lady, and my roommate was a sweet girl from Russia.
When I moved in, I loved it there, but then problems started to arise. For one, the house was too far from the metro, and I didn't think of it at the time. I go into DC pretty much every weekend, and having to wait for the bus was dreadful. Furthermore, the landlord's boyfriend was staying over for a few weeks, and his personality clashed with me and my Russian roommate. There was constant tension in the house, and thus that was the final straw for me to move out.
When I was looking for my second place, I now knew what I needed. I needed to be close to a metro stop, but at the same time I couldn't be too far away from Alexandria. The place that I'm staying at now, is the perfect fit because I get along with all of the roommates, we mind our own businesses, and communication is open. If any one of us had a problem, we aren't afraid to address it with the other person.
I guess what I"m trying to say here, is that it takes time and patience to find that perfect fit. Here are some guidelines that I learned along the way:
1) Try to meet all of the roommates. I know that sometimes with people's schedules, it's difficult. But if it's at all possible, do it and talk to them. By talking to them, you'll get a sense of their personalities and see if you guys match.
2) Take your time. As I was in a rush during my first house hunting experience, I didn't get much time to think about my decision and I just went with it. Therefore, the experience was horrible.
3) Take a look at the lease. If you prefer a month-to-month lease, make sure that it is a month-to-month lease. Try to establish a good relationship with your landlord, for when problems do come up they can be easily solved
4) When living with your roommates, get a sense of their habits. If something about them really bothers you, talk to them. If they don't want to listen, and things go from bad to worse, know that you have the option to seek legal help, or move out (this all depends on your lease)
Nothing is foul-proof, and you'll never know what kind of roommate you'll have until you actually live with them. But, by meeting with them, either at the place where you'll be potentially renting or somewhere else, you can get a feel for whether or not you guys are a good match. All of this is nothing more than a learning experience, and with time you'll get to see how screening your new roommates and the area truly works.
On where to look for roommates and places to rent, Craigslist is a great place to look. I know some of these ads sound creepy, but contact these people anyways. Then, when you meet up with them, get a feel for the area. One of my potential roommates gave a great suggestion on determining if the area is sketchy or not. She said that if there is a lot of traffic and people, and a lot of lighting, most likely it is a safe neighborhood. I followed her advice, and don't be afraid to ask the potential roommate. Other places to look, try Google. I found some great websites for renting in the DC metro area just by simply using Google.
I hope this advice helps, and I'll be updating more on this when I move out, again, at the end of April (my lease at this apartment ends then). Good luck!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Eating is hard...
No, I'm not talking about an eating disorder. What I'm referring to, is eating healthy is difficult, especially when you're working and all you want to do when you come home is vegetate. This has got to be the hardest, most challenging obstacle I've encountered in the "real world." Sure, I have time and the money to make something nutritious and yummy, but I don't have the motivation. My roommates, all three who are grad students at GWU, can relate to this. My previous roommate was the same way. All we wanted to do, is come home and relax. However, I have realized that eating right is important, not just for providing energy, but for the long run too. Thus, every time I go out I wander around my local grocery store, and buy something healthy. It's easy for me to eat fruit (and do I love eating fruit), but for some reason it's very difficult for me to eat any veggies. Maybe that's because I don't know how to properly cook them, and being as it's winter I don't really want to eat cold food. Thus, I am stuck between two evils. Recently, I've been eating cold veggies, as I figured that this is better than nothing.
For some odd reason, buying veggies and fruit is really expensive at my local grocery store. I have to go to a Trader Joe's near my work to buy cheap veggies and fruit (69 cents for one apple, and $1.99 for a big bag of spinach. Totally worth it). But, that also requires effort as I have to walk through the cold, and for some odd reason DC is really, really cold (this coming from a New Yorker, and someone who graduated from a college in Pennsylvania). However, in my quest to eat healthier, and eat out less, I'm willing to put in the effort because I know in the long run, there will be positive returns.
What I'm trying to say here is, is that you should all try to eat healthy, or live a healthy lifestyle. I know it's hard with school/work, but try to do something healthy at least once a week. I don't work out, simply because I hate going to the gym and using equipment that are somewhat intimidating (and, using an elliptical is like running nowhere). So, instead I try to eat more veggies and fruit. I have to keep motivating and reminding myself why I'm doing this, but in the end it's totally worth it.
For some odd reason, buying veggies and fruit is really expensive at my local grocery store. I have to go to a Trader Joe's near my work to buy cheap veggies and fruit (69 cents for one apple, and $1.99 for a big bag of spinach. Totally worth it). But, that also requires effort as I have to walk through the cold, and for some odd reason DC is really, really cold (this coming from a New Yorker, and someone who graduated from a college in Pennsylvania). However, in my quest to eat healthier, and eat out less, I'm willing to put in the effort because I know in the long run, there will be positive returns.
What I'm trying to say here is, is that you should all try to eat healthy, or live a healthy lifestyle. I know it's hard with school/work, but try to do something healthy at least once a week. I don't work out, simply because I hate going to the gym and using equipment that are somewhat intimidating (and, using an elliptical is like running nowhere). So, instead I try to eat more veggies and fruit. I have to keep motivating and reminding myself why I'm doing this, but in the end it's totally worth it.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Security deposit, new year
Having moved to two different places already, I've learned a few things about leases, and security deposits. One of the most important things that I've learned, is that you as a tenant must learn your rights, and you as a landlord must know yours and the tenants rights. I moved out, giving my previous landlord plenty of notice, and yet I didn't receive my security deposit back. This is disheartening, as it wasn't my money but my parents'. I'm going to list a few important tips on what to do if this happens to you (which, I'm sad to report, will happen because this happens too often):
1) KNOW your rights. Go online and do your research. Each state has different laws for tenants and for landlords. In Virginia, for example, the landlord has 45 days from the termination of the lease to give back the security deposit, as well as list the damages
2) If your landlord does not return your security deposit, understand that you as a tenant have the right to bring him/her to small claims court
3) If possible, write in the lease a clause that will determine how you get your security deposit back. If you do bring him/her to court, you have a record of what is to happen to it
4) Before AND after you move out, take pictures of your place without furniture. That way, if your landlord says that there were damages and that you were responsible
for them, you have proof of whether or not you were
5) Know your lease too. DO NOT under any circumstances breach your lease. If you do, this decreases your chance of getting your security deposit back, if at all
I know all of this may seem overwhelming, but it is necessary. I'm going to call the legal non-profit that handles all of this, and see what they have to say. I'll give you all an update, and hopefully I'll get some, if not all, of my security deposit back
On the flip side, everything else is looking up. Although I haven't heard back yet regarding my position at my job, it looks good. My supervisors really like me, and so do my coworkers now. Hopefully things will turn out for the best, but you never know with the economy nowadays. If this job doesn't go permanent, the staffing agency that placed me there will find me another assignment. I love living in DC, even if I don't get to see my friends as often as I like (school and work tends to get in the way). Regardless, I'm settling in quite nicely, and am now starting to develop a professional network. Things are coming along slowly, but nicely.
1) KNOW your rights. Go online and do your research. Each state has different laws for tenants and for landlords. In Virginia, for example, the landlord has 45 days from the termination of the lease to give back the security deposit, as well as list the damages
2) If your landlord does not return your security deposit, understand that you as a tenant have the right to bring him/her to small claims court
3) If possible, write in the lease a clause that will determine how you get your security deposit back. If you do bring him/her to court, you have a record of what is to happen to it
4) Before AND after you move out, take pictures of your place without furniture. That way, if your landlord says that there were damages and that you were responsible
for them, you have proof of whether or not you were
5) Know your lease too. DO NOT under any circumstances breach your lease. If you do, this decreases your chance of getting your security deposit back, if at all
I know all of this may seem overwhelming, but it is necessary. I'm going to call the legal non-profit that handles all of this, and see what they have to say. I'll give you all an update, and hopefully I'll get some, if not all, of my security deposit back
On the flip side, everything else is looking up. Although I haven't heard back yet regarding my position at my job, it looks good. My supervisors really like me, and so do my coworkers now. Hopefully things will turn out for the best, but you never know with the economy nowadays. If this job doesn't go permanent, the staffing agency that placed me there will find me another assignment. I love living in DC, even if I don't get to see my friends as often as I like (school and work tends to get in the way). Regardless, I'm settling in quite nicely, and am now starting to develop a professional network. Things are coming along slowly, but nicely.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Already in DC, and life is never the same
I know it's been forever, but let me explain. Most of you already know what happened to my laptop. I was staying with a friend, and her apartment got broken into. Our laptops, my duffle bag and ipod, and her digital camera were stolen. Afterwards, I had to get out asap, and I found a place to live in Alexandria. I didn't like living there (it was too far from DC), so now I'm living with three awesome roommates in Pentagon City, Arlington. I'm a temp. at a company in Alexandria, and I'm hoping it'll go perm. I have a new boyfriend now, and things are going pretty great actually. I'm currently home for Christmas, but I'm heading back tomorrow since I have work first thing Monday morning. I miss being home, but I wouldn't trade what I have right now for the world.
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