CHOC And Me

I'm still very well connected to the homeless shelter.

I'm currently in a program called CHOC Connect. It is a program of volunteers who help the residents get back into the community.

As a matter of fact I had dinner with my 2 volunteers yesterday.

I was talking to them about how when I first was at the shelter it was like I was in shock about being homeless. While at the shelter it felt like being in a cocoon - a nice warm cocoon where I didn't have to worry about so much. It took a good 5 months for me to start planning a list of goals that I wanted to accomplish.

I think the main purpose of the shelter was to help people find a place to live whether it be just a room or a whole apartment. I can't believe that I actually have an apartment of my own (as long as I pay the rent on time).

Someone at the shelter told me that a married couple that used to live in the shelter got thrown out of their apartment and now they are living on the streets.

The Septa Fare Increase!

I was online looking at the Septa website so that I could find out how much their transfers would be. I already knew about the fare hike to $2.25 but I wanted to know if getting a transfer would still cost a dollar or did that fare go up too.

While I was searching for more information, I found out that Septa won't be selling tokens any more starting July of this year. I can't believe that they are getting rid of their tokens because that is what I mostly use.

It's just gonna make things harder for me when I take the bus. I'll have to budget for taking public transportation - which isn't going to be easy!

If you want to find out more about the Septa fares you can go to this blog site to find out more about it.

If You're Looking For Some Good Used Furniture......

I found out about this place while I was still at the shelter getting to move into my new apartment. I recently went back with a friend so he could check out what they had in stock.

The name of the store is

Impact
1798 Markley St.
Norristown, PA 19401

610-2399848

The have a lot of good used furniture and they will even deliver the furniture for you for a fee.

So far what I have gotten from this store is some clothing, and a relaxer chair. I'm currently looking at the bookcases that they have because I really, really need one!

Say Hello To My Little Friend...............

Here is my new roommate. His name is Rusty and he was given to me from a friend of a friend. I have had him for over a month now and mostly what he does is sleep. But he sleeps during the day and he's up at night when I'm trying to sleep. Oh well, maybe I can figure out a way to change his sleeping habits so that he will sleep when I'm trying to sleep.

I met a former neighbor of mine at CHOC!

I actually saw one of my former neighbors at CHOC!

I couldn't believe it!

This is one of the neighbors that I had that I still consider a friend.

She didn't tell me too much of why she was staying at the homeless shelter. She only told me that there were financial problems that she was having.

It was good to see her and talk with her.

Well It's The Start Of A New Year!

I remember one of the staff members at CHOC saying how he had more problems not being homeless then he had when he was actually homeless. I can so relate to this!

There are bills that have to be paid (and on time) and there is a little boredom that comes with both living in a shelter and actually having your own place.

I made a budget for myself and it seems that I need at least another hundred dollars a month just to break even. I didn't have this problem when I was living at the shelter.

I'm grateful to finally have a place to live that I can call my own. It's not a perfect life but what is perfect?

I do miss the people at the shelter - both the staff members and the residents who are still living at the shelter.

While at the shelter there was a meeting and the shelter's policy was discussed. We were told not to think of the shelter as a permanent place to live, only a temporary stop on the road to getting and living in our own place.

I find it kind of miraculous that I'm able to have an apartment and even being able to have a car. People ask me about that car too. I was able to purchase the car for $200 and the paperwork cost more than the car did! LOL! The car needs some work and my car inspection is coming up soon.

I have bills but I also have a budget that I have to stick to.

All in all I have been blessed with many good things happening in my life.

I hope 2014 is the best year of my life!