We Made It To 2012! Another Year, More Goals!

 

We made it! 2012 is here! I truly hope all of you had a great New Years Eve/Day. New Year's is wonderful, no matter how bad life can get, we always set new goals and have new hopes for the new year. I, myself, always choose a great quote to live by, always one that will bring joy to me. These is so much I want to accomplish in 2012 and I set to make it happen.

Yes, I realize its been 2012 for a whole day and a half already BUT I was glued to my TV watching my Packers beat the Lions yesterday. It was a GREAT game, although I missed my Matthews and Rodgers on the field. Its OK though, they need the rest because we're ready to see them kick ass in the playoffs :)

This Is What Happens When I'm Behind On Couponing + My Holidays!

See the picture above? That's what happens when I have a lot going on. I just went through my coupon filer in my bag and they were ALL expired (I won't even mention how many old inserts I have that are all expired too). I have not been on a Shopping Round-Up trip in a while, and this was due to school (especially during finals), the Holidays and just life. The Holidays make everything so hectic, so much that I took a 5-hour nap on Christmas and missed my Green Bay Packers win and beat the Bears! I missed my Clay Matthews made an interception :(

Well, life is back on track, the worst is over (hopefully). My house is still full of little cousins sleeping over for the week, the grandparents and then some, but its always fun! The reason I went through my coupon filer was because I am well rested and READY to hit up Target in a couple hours. I LOVE clearance, and all things Christmas-related should be at 50% today. Woohoo!

I actually got a couple gifts this Christmas, all from my uncles. Mostly money (no 4ft. Maxx the Sock Monkey, unfortunately) and gift cards, but that's far better than getting absolutely nothing last year. Well, I did get a gift from my buddy Kerry from TotallyTarget. What was it? A Justin Bieber doll that I adore lol. Justin hangs out with Spock, they are the best of friends! :) I hope you ALL had a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your New Years! Let's start off 2012 on a positive note!

P.S.  Santa... Clay Matthews was not under my tree! Please remember next year, lol. I'll settle for his jersey or even a huge wall decal of him! :)

Giveaway - $25 Macy's Gift Card

I made a little bet on Facebook earlier Sunday. What exactly was it? A bet, that if the Green Bay Packers won the game against the Broncos, I would give away my $25 Macy's Gift Card. Well, if you follow football you would know that the Packers won, 49 - 23. My prediction (win, 42 - 21) wasn't far off. Well, now you guys get a fun quick 1-week giveaway! Gift Card giveaways are great to enter right now too, since the holidays are coming up... and lets not forget Black Friday! I am sponsoring this giveaway myself, I got the gift card as a perk from Klout. If you are a blogger and haven't joined Klout.. you need to join soon. Freebies, gift cards, etc. Its absolutely great!

GIVEAWAY

One (1) Winner will receive:

★(1) - $25 Macy's Gift Card

WINNER:

#28-  Carrie

Congrats! Look out or an email coming your way! Thanks to everyone for entering! Winner was chosen via Random.org. 

TO ENTER:

★(Required) Have you started or finished your holiday shopping?

OPTIONAL ENTRIES:

★(1 Entry) - Follow My Blog / Social Media:

•On Google Friend Connect, @SSBucks On Twitter or StudentSavingBucks On Facebook

★(1 Entry) each - Sign Up:

•Sign Up for Handbags.com (No Purchase Necessary, Just Sign Up via Link) 
★Various Entries each -Miscellaneous Entries:                                                   

★(1 Entry) Daily - Share on Facebook or Tweet the Following: I Entered To Win a $25 Macy's Gift Card from @SSBucks #Giveaway #Christmas #Holiday #Shopping Ends 10/10 http://fb.me/1eEdZQhcs

Leave a comment for each entry, optional entries can only be done after doing the required entry. Leave your link for Tweets or Facebook mentions, if applicable. Available to U.S. residents only. GOOD LUCK. Giveaway will end October 10, 2011.

NOTE: Make sure you read the full Giveaway Rules before entering.  I will no longer be posting giveaway winner's emails for your privacy.

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post. This is a self-sponsored giveaway from Student-Saving-Bucks.com

Dry-Erase Board Fun, Stranded By Murky Water In L.A. - My Weekend

This is what happens when I get my hand on a dry-erase board, lol. A peanut, with a rice hat on his way to Hanoi, Vietnam. I am no good at drawing but my peanut pal came out like a cutie! I've always wanted a dr-erase board but have not gotten around to spending $20+ for one. So, for the meantime I stole my baby sister's board and got to work. :) She liked it so much she said I should post a pic of it on my "thingy" (blog). So there is is, for all of you to love as much as I do lol. We got the board at Target for only $8, which isn't too bad for its size. Its magnetic as well. She loves it, and its a good tool to have for younger kids, they can practice their letters, numbers and other stuff on it instead of going through paper.

My weekend was a little crazy and had something I had been waiting for, rain! On Saturday Los Angeles finally got 80-degree weather during the day. No sun, just clouds, lightning, thunder, rain and mini-floods along some streets. One of them was so bad the water was half-way up the car door.... of our SUV. Its not always "sunnny in L.A." guys, we have crazy weather. I love it though. The rain just started pouring out of nowhere, then came the wind that was about 40mph, about 20min. later some streets around here looked like rivers. Thankfully we live in an elevated area. Thats not the case for our closest Vallarta store. I couldn't help but giggle at the people who couldn't get to their car because there was a river of murky water between the entrance of the store and the parking lot. I laughed and thought about how frustrated I would be in that position :)

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! There were some great deals at a couple store so I hope you took advantage of that too! Another week of classes and homework for me. Good news for you guys is that you voted for a TARGET $50 Gift Card for the giveaway this month! So, look for it on Monday! Hopefully I'll be able to let you guys vote for a GC next month, but Target GCs seem to be popular with all of you :) Oh and... PACKERS WON last Thursday! Great game! They play the Panthers next Sunday, so we all know thats an automatic win lol.

Green Bay Packers - 2011 Superbowl Champions!

I've been a fan for 9 years and I finally get to see my team go to the Super Bowl and WIN. I cried, yelled, got butterflies, etc. The game was great and the Steelers gave it a good try, but, the Vince Lombardi trophy is back in Green Bay, Wisconsin where it rightfully belongs. My best wishes to Woodsen, Shields and Driver who were injured during the game. 

Congrats guys! I knew you would win! It was great seeing all of their reactions after Williams intercepted the ball with a mere :49 seconds on the clock during the 4th quarter. At that very moment, the world knew the Packers had won and the emotions that came after that were long awaited! :)

Green Bay Packers - 2011 Super Bowl Champions

Great Win By Packers! SUPER BOWL TIME!

Here at Student Saving Bucks, we support the Pack! Ok ok ok ok ok! I won't bore you non-football fans about it, I'll just say the Green Bay PACKERS beat the Chicago Bears in the championships and will be playing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the SUPER BOWL!!!! Can you sense my excitement? I've been waiting for a long time for them to make it back to the Super Bowl where they rightfully belong! Ok... i said I wouldn't bore you non-football fans but there were some great moments in the game :) Greatest has to be when Raji intercepted the ball for a hilarious touchdown! :) My super handsome crush, Clay Matthews (seen above, #52) was sacking like crazy, I love watching him! :) All in all, Packers beat the Bears 21-14!

And again! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!

My Weekend! PACKERS WIN! :)

What a great weekend! See the guns on Clay Matthews up there? I hope you guys were watching the Packer vs. Falcons game because it was GREAT! I spent the first 2 quarters with nerves and just minutes away from having a heart attack! Oh man, I can't believe I was having tiny doubt about my team, but I have to admit the Falcons were holding their ground like beasts. Too bad, their stamina was all burned out before the 3rd quarter started and the PACKERS were just pounding them like beasts! At the beginning of the fame the Atlanta dome was FULL of Falcon fans and by the 3rd quarter the majority had left knowing their team was doomed. My Packers won 48-21 and will be playing the Bears next week and when they beat them, its time for the SUPERBOWL! :)

My Packers played well and efficiently, the adorable Rodgers was great and my future husband Clay Matthews was a BEAST! This man is so milky and dreamy and has beautiful hair lol! :) He was born in the same place I was, wish he would come back soon so I can run into him, so dreamy! He is 6'3" and 250 pounds of deliciousness haha! The game was the best part of my weekend and I hope all of you guys had a good one too! I'll leave you guys with a preview of the man of my dreams (he is number 52, keep an eye out).

Great Weekend! Movie Time! :)

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I've been a little behind with things but am trying to catch up. I thought that being on vacation from classes I would have more time but I just seem to be as busy as ever! I did get some time to watch a couple movies this weekend. On of them was Flipped, which was Amazingly adorable movie! I love coming-of-age movies. I was a couple of days late announcing the winners but they have now been announced on the giveaway post (on the left sidebar). Congrats to you guys! :)

I'm a little disappointed I waited until the last minute to print a $1/3 Lean Cuisine coupon and now they are gone :( I was planning on buying 5 and playing only $3 after (hopefully) getting overage from the $2/1 Olay coupon. Hopefully I'll have time to drop by on Monday and some more coupons will pop up soon! :)

Another WIN!

On the other hand, the Green Bay PACKERS had a phenomenal game against the Eagles this Sunday! I was on the edge of my seat during the last 4 minutes of the 4th quarter! That interception by Tramon Williams in the End Zone with :33 seconds left in the game secured ALL hope for me! They face the Falcons next week and it might be tough but win or lose, the Packers are #1 in my book :) I really hope they pull through and make it to the Superbowl this year.

100,000 Page Views!

I can't believe I just noticed I recently hit well over 100,000 page views. That is a lot! Its practically like having the entire cities of Berkeley, California; Pompano Beach, Florida or even Green Bay, Wisconsin (home of the great Green Bay Packers) visiting my blog. I'm glad you guys keep coming back :) 

Little by little I find myself being very intrigued by food blogs (more so than before). I just recently made my 1st cheesecake. I know this is something insignificant to most, but I never knew how easy it would was. I always looked at it like such a luxury! :) Anyways, I've been posting more personal blog posts under "Misc." and will continue doing so, as I believe my blog can be about EVERYTHING and ANY subject under the stars that interests me :) 

Thank you guys for sticking around! I've grown very fond of my blogging community and have never stuck to any blogs for as long as I have on Student Saving Bucks :)

Thanksgiving Plans & Arroz A La Valenciana

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. My family really doesn't celebrate, I am 1st generation American and I understand that they really don't understand the meaning of the holiday. And, if I were to explain it to them, I'm positive they wouldn't care much for the story behind it. Truth is, I believe the holiday has lost its roots either way. Even though we don't celebrate it with the same meaning others do, we sure like to cook and enjoy the paid days off. We're also not fans of turkey and we always cook meat or pork; a nice sweet glazed ham with pineapple. Yum!

Truth is, I can't wait for the ham on Thanksgiving! I wish I could be looking forward to the Football games on Thanksgiving but my team, the Green Bay Packers, aren't playing. If my team doesn't play, I don't watch. How loyal am I? lol. Can't wait to see what specials come out before hand! Would love some cheap croissants from Pillsbury. We'll see how everything turns out, until then I'll just eat some delicious Arroz a La Valenciana (pictured above) that I made. Its the Nicaraguan version of Paella.

Yum! Wheres my plate?

Wandering Mind; What I want to do!

Its 3 something in the morning right now. I am a late-night blogger. I actually prefer to do a lot of what I do in the day, at night. Night time is just much more fun! As soon as it hits around 8pm, all goes quiet, I detest that! I can understand though, its not like my neighborhood is full of 20-something years old like myself. Its not a good thing all the time, since I have school and work. 

I'm here at my desk finishing my anthropology paper while listening to Bruno Mars' "Somewhere in Brooklyn" from his new album Doo Wops & Hooligans. My brain is just all over the place, I notice at night, since its so quiet, my mind wanders and asks a lot of what ifs. We all have those moments, right? I tend to daydream a lot and it disappoints me afterwords because I daydream about traveling to other countries, going on a road trip in the U.S., being a movie director, defeating the Klingons with Captain Kirk and Spock, and many other things. There is so much I want to do, and it disappoints me that at 22, I haven't done much.

So, I want to make this a fun post and just quickly make a list of things I want to do before I'm 30 (that gives me enough time, I hope!). Now, in no particular order:

1. Go to a musical.
2. Go camping, with many places around Los Angeles, I should be able to find one.
3. Watch The Packers at a Home Game - against anyone, really!
4. Dress up in something super scary on Halloween and scare the shit out of people lol! Video tape it all!
5. Join the L.A. Derby Dolls :)
6. Attend the Electric Daisy Carnival
7. Be in the audience at a Conan O'Brien Show. Go CoCo!
8. Attend a Murder Mystery Dinner Party 
9. Make a movie with friends
10. Go to Taiwan and visit all the locations for the Devil Beside Me drama. lol.
11. Go play Laser Tag and Paintball :)
12. Go Sand-boarding down Cerro Negro, an active volcano in Nicaragua
13. Take Vengeance on some people I don't like; We all have our dark side! 
14. Make a Wikipedia page about myself haha.

Ok, some are pretty dumb, but hey, its what I want to do :) This isn't even 10% of what I have in mind, its fun to think about though. Let your mind wander! What are some things you guys wish you could do?

Its My Birthday & I'll Cry If I Want To...

Ok.. its not my birthday just yet, and I won't cry. Well, I will if the Green Bay Packers don't win against the Redskins this Sunday 10/10! lol! Its amazing to think that almost 22 years have passed by so quick. I remember wishing i was 18 when i was 15 and now i just wish i was 17. I don't know if you guys watch The Nanny on Nick at Nite, but she often lies about her age, she seems to always turn around 29.. this just might be something I need to do soon. lol. I'll stay in my early 20s for the next 10 years and go on like that :)

I hope you guys come drop by for the Birthday Party on Elm Street giveaway event that kicks off this Thursday, October 7th, my official birthday. Got some great sponsors. Working hard on the posts right now because I have a paper due at the end of the week too. Rough Week!

I just wanted to quickly inform all L.A. residents of a great food spot. I have a deep love for Portos Bakery, and if you've never even heard of them, you need to crawl out from that rock! They are, without a doubt, the best Cuban bakery in L.A. country. They have meat-filled potato balls and meat cakes that are to die for! The smell of their Cuban Sandwich greets you at their packed entrance :) And believe me, this place is packed and that should let you know how loved this place is! I'm mentioning Portos because HOPEFULLY I'll be getting their Cuban cake, a yellow sponge cake soaked in Brandy, yum! Or at least their Fruit Tart! I usually go to the Glendale store:

Where to go? Porto's Bakery, located at 315 North Brand Blvd. Glendale, CA 9120

I'm hoping with all my heart since I really didn't get cake last year :'( Oh, i'm such a child haha! See their delicious food below: