Sunday, October 25, 2009

Student Loan Changes

Student loans are something that almost every student has to face unless you are one of the very few lucky ones. Student loans are given to students in need of financial aid based on their income information. Loans com in 3 different ways: Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Parent PLUS loans. The difference between Subsidized and Unsubsidized is that Subsidized is interest free until 6 months after you graduate and Unsubsidized is not interest free.

I have taken out student loans for my education and have finally started paying them off in May. You have a 6 months grace period after you graduate to find a job and get yourself stable so that you can start paying off your loans. When the paying off time comes you have a choice of consolidating your loans and keeping them separate and letting Sallie May send you one statement. Now, the trick with consolidation is that it’s best to consolidate if your interest is more than what is currently offered. For example I have 5 different loans and for all of them I have different interest rates. One has a 2.8%, 4.7% and the rest are 6.8%. It wouldn’t make much sense for me to consolidate my loans right now at 6.8% when I am paying less interest on some of my loans.

The reason I am mentioning student loans is because there have been some changes going on with student loans. In recent months my bank account has been getting charged more from Sallie May than the Sallie May website has been stating. This is like you seeing your credit card bill is $100 but you are being charged $130 a month for your bill. I decided to give them a call and I found that apparently one of my loans has been sold to the Department of Education but Sallie May still manages it.

What this means is that Sallie May is charging my bank account more so that it can also cover the other loan that is under the Department of Education. There is no specific reason why Sallie May has sold certain loans and not the others so there is no need to worry if your loan was sold. They were simply restructuring their company and this is what ended up happening.

If you see any changes in your billing give Sallie May a call as soon as possible so you can find out what is happening to your account. The man I spoke to on the phone said that most people did not get notification about this change even though they were supposed to. It’s important to keep all your information together and keep track of your payments because it’s very easy to lose track of things. Stay on top of your bill and make sure you call as soon as something doesn’t make sense to you about your payments.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Small Thought

This morning I was at the store and I had a small gift card for it. At first I didn't really know what I wanted to get but then I saw some really pretty fountains and smelly diffusers. Then my train of thought was do I want to get it for my house or do I want to get it for work. After pondering for about 3 minutes I had a thought. My thought was did we ever noticed that we spend more time at work than at home? I was thinking to myself where will I get more use out of it home are at work and the answer was very clear! WORK!

Sometimes people think that work is all about making money but is it? If you have to spend most of your time only to earn money are you working to live or living to work? I believe that many people need to ask themselves these questions before starting college. What is it that you want to do? When do you want to do it and how do you want to do it? What goals do you want to achieve in your life? What time frame do you want to achieve them in? Who do you want along with you achieving these goals. its amazing how many jobs you can narrow down by simply asking yourself those questions.

For example if you want to be a business man and own your own business you have to be flexible. You have to have a partner who will want to sacrifice some things with you. You may not be able to take off from your business whenever you want so many vacations may not always be an option. Maybe you want to travel the world so working for a big corporation that allows you to travel and do business in many places is a great option for you. If you enjoy working with children maybe you need to be a teacher. If you like to read maybe you should be a researcher.

There are many career options for everyone but first you need to ask yourself some very basic simple questions. Doing what you choose to do will take a lot from your life so make sure you re doing something worthy and something you really enjoy. Money is not the most important factor in your life and when you are in a store looking a fountain to put on your desk, make sure its a desk where you enjoy spending time at.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Interesting Weekend

The weekend has come and gone and its time to get back in business. Saturday my school had a show called "Beauty Within". We decided to run a hair show for family and friends to raise money for Domestic Violence Abuse. The show went really well and the students really had fun with it. My Sunday on the other hand was not so good. First thing in the morning I realized my long time fish named Jimmy died. He was happy swimming in the morning and then by the time 10am came around he wasn't really swimming anymore. I cried, I pouted but in the end everything was ok. I knew he was in a better place.

Later on that day I decided to go to the pet store and see if I like any other beta fish to replace my Jimmy. The fish tank looked very sad and empty without him so I needed to replace him quick. Once I was at the store I walked around and came across one of those large talking parrots that hang out on a stand and talk to you. For some reason this parrot was looking at me strongly and swaying back and forth. At first I didn't know what that bird was doing so I just went to turn around and walk away to keep looking for a pretty fish. As soon as I turned around the bird jumped off the stand and started flying towards me! it clawed its feet in my hair and attached itself to me! Now this bird was about one foot long and quite heavy! I ran around the store screaming because I had this huge bird stuck in my hair!

When the clerk came out he took the bird out of my hair and said the bird has been doing it all week. I thought to myself that maybe they should tie this bird down since they know the issue that's going on with this bird! Apparently the bird got attracted to my neon green ski jacket and my long hair that was down. He must have thought I was a friend or something! So not only did I loose my fish but then I got attacked by a bird too!

So I thought that was the end of my bad luck but little did I know. Later on I decided to go get a small bar table so I can put my wine on it and my wine glasses. I went to the store, got one and it took me about an hour and a half to put it together. This little bar table was really a pain in the but to put together. When I was finally done I wanted to go it a test run and come to find out that the bar does not hold standard wine glasses, it has a be a specifically fitted glasses! I was so frustrated at that point I just took the whole thing apart again and returned it.

Lucky for me Monday was a lot better. On a better note, whenever the weather gets cooler and the leaves start turning colors I get in the holiday spirit. Before we know it all those holidays will be around the corner and we will all be in a celebration mood. I think that my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I think its my favorite because I never got to celebrate it in Europe and now its like an additional holiday I get to celebrate. I love getting the family all together and talk about things we haven't had a time to catch up on all year. its great having those people around you that get together with you at least once a year to show you that they care.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Log In

Yet another week has passed by and today is finally hump day. For the longest time I didn’t know what people meant by hump day but I finally asked someone and got my answer. Wednesday is called hump day because it’s in the middle of the week. It’s that day where we are finally half way through the week and we are getting over the hump of the week being almost over. The answer was so simple this whole time and I can’t believe I didn’t get it.

For some reason I sometimes have issues logging into my Berkeley account after I have not logged into it for a while. The other day I was trying to log in and it was not allowing me to. I knew that Berkeley has created new passwords for students where the password is more complex and not so easy to crack, but my new password was still not working. The good thing about Berkeley is that they always have help available.

When I couldn’t log in I simply went to live chat help on the Berkeley website. They transferred me to the right department and I got to talk to a woman that was very helpful. She reset my password and within 5 minutes I was able to log into my account without any problems. I was able to do all that without even picking up a phone. Just a few clicks and my problem was solved. Many times I hate talking on the phone, staying on hold, and having to explain my situation 5 times to 5 different people. This service was great and very helpful.

There are many events going on at Berkeley all the time but one caught my eye that I am very interested in. Berkeley is presenting a play called B Free Franklin that is acted out by students of Berkeley College. This play is playing on many dates and everyone should come out and see this play to support Berkeley students.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Media Everywhere

Ever notice the power of online media these days? Who would have thought that college, stores and almost anything can be ran online just a few decades ago? Today the possibilities are really endless. What is most important today that each company stays on top of its game and Berkeley is doing just that.

Ever notice all the websites that Berkeley is on? Here is just a few to give you an idea: MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Linkedin, Flickr, and Blogger! I think it’s a great idea that Berkeley stays connected to its students not only on a student level but a personal level too. I have always said that college is not only bout the education but about the experience as well. Students like to stay connected and it’s important that the college stays connected with its students.

Today I was reviewing my college statements online and seeing what I paid for my tuition. As we all know Berkeley is a large investment just like any college and then it made me wonder where did all that money go to. I pondered and it didn’t take me long to realize all the benefits that I got at Berkeley versus a typical state college. First off you will never get the small classes you get at Berkeley at a typical state college. Professors are great and they always had time for you to meet one on one. In addition to great education you had great activities too. College is what you make of it and if I didn’t participate as much as I did my memories would not have been as fond as they have been.

I am very grateful for the education I received and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love to stay connected and see how much Berkeley is still changing today. I love getting e-mails that new career fairs are being planned out and that new events are going on for not only current students but alumni too. Stay connected online and check out all the benefits that Berkeley has to offer through many channels that Berkeley offers.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Wear Sunscreen

I was driving to work the other listening to a radio station and I heard a very interesting song. This song is called “Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen” by Baz Luhrmann and I was shocked how much meaning this song really had. Please view this video here or look it up on YouTube.




When I first heard this song it made me laugh a little. When they said stretch, I stretched, and I bet you did too. When they said floss I thought about how much I hate flossing but do it anyway. One thing I noticed about this song is that no matter what age you are this song will still have a meaning to you. When you are older you will realize how this song was really true. When you’re younger you will think about the advice its giving you and see how it can apply to you.

This song really motivated me on the day that I was driving to work. Whenever I drive anywhere now or have a bad day I try to listen to this song to put a smile on my face and I wanted to share it with you. In case you can’t view it here are the lyrics:

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of '97. Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you one tip for the future, sunscreen
would be it. The
long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by
scientists whereas the
rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my
own meandering
experience... I will dispense this advice now

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh,
nevermind, you will not
understand the power and beauty of your youth until
they've faded. But trust
me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself
and recall in a way
you can't grasp now, how much possibility lay before
you and how fabulous
you really looked. You are NOT as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that
worrying is as
effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by
chewing bubblegum. The
real toubles in life are apt to be things that never
crossed your worried
mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle
Tuesday

Do one thing everyday that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't
put up with people who
are reckless with your's.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're
ahead, sometimes you're
behind. The race is long, and in the end, it's only with
yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the
insults. If you suceed in doing
this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank
statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do
with your life.
The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22
what they wanted to do
with their lives; some of the most interesting 40 year
olds I know still
don't.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're
gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll
have children, maybe you
won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40. Maybe you'll dance
the funky chicken on
your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do,
don't congratulate
yourself too much or berate yourself either - your
choices are half chance,
so are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can... don't be
afraid of it, or what
other people think of it... it's the greatest instrument
you'll ever own.

Dance... even if you have nowhere to do it but in
your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines they will only make
you feel UGLY.

CHORUS
Brother and sister together we'll make it through.
Someday your spirit will take you and guide you there.
I know you've been hurting, but I've been waiting to be there for you.
And I'll be there just helping you out whenever I can.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they
might be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they're your best link to your
past and the
people most likely to stick with you in the future

Understand that friends come and go, but for the
precious few you should
hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography
and lifestyle because the
older you get, the more you need the people you knew
when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes
you hard. Live in
Northern California once, but leave before it makes
you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths. Prices will rise,
Politicians will
philander, you too will get old. And when you do, you'll
fantasize that when
you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians
were noble, and children
respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe
you have a trust fund,
maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse; but you never
know when either one might
run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're
40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with
those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia; dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past
from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly
parts, and
recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

CHORUS

Everybody's free. Everybody's free.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Milestones

Hello everyone! Summer is gone and the weather is getting colder by the day. I was almost surprised how after Labor Day fall made an entrance right away and didn’t spare the summer any time. It’s officially been a year since I have graduated college and boy what a journey it has been. I was lucky to still be able to participate in a lot of Berkeley activities which made me feel like I was still in college but now that I’ve moved away it’s a lot different.

Many times people feel that once you hit 21 all your birthday milestones are over. First you become a teenager, then you have your sweet 16, then you become legal and turn 18 and lastly yours 21 and now you can drink and get into every bar and club (Except boys, sometimes they require you to be 23! He he). From my experience yes, your age milestones are over but you are far from finishing reaching certain milestones.

Now I totally see why people should go to college right after HS rather than work and then go. Once you start earning that money and you get the taste of that money it’s hard to set it aside. Once you earn money you have the tendency to spend it. Maybe you will move out, maybe you will spend it on something that needs monthly payments and then you can’t stop working to go to college because those payments have to be made. Word of advice, if it’s possible, go to college right away!

My latest milestones have been getting my first full time job, getting your first out of college car and moving out on your own. Getting my first full time job was very liberating. I now support myself and I no longer rely on someone else to care for me. Getting your first car feels very achieving because you know you earned it. It’s your baby and you now care for it more than any other car you have had before because you know that you’re responsible for it. If you break it, you have to fix it!

Moving out on my own had definitely been the biggest step for me by far. It has its good sides and it has its bad sides. The good side is that it’s very freeing. You can do what you want, when you want, don’t have to tell anyone where you are going, when you will be back etc. You do things as you please and you have all the freedom you want. On the downside it can sometimes get lonely. I’m very family oriented and sometimes it’s hard for me not to have them around. Another downside is now you need to make rent payments and buy food! You never know how much living on your own costs until you do it so throw those estimates you may have made away!

Life has been really good to me though so I really can’t complain. I have great people around me that do help me get through certain things when life gets tough. It’s very important to keep people close to you and never burn bridges because this world is small and you never know who you may need.