You've no idea how perfectly timed my wonderful 21st birthday present Holiday is. I cannot wait to get out ot San Diego and see Laura and have a holiday and relax and... oh my god, I want to go now.

I just need to get away. I've been quiet for a few weeks, felt down and like I want to have all my free time to myself rather than with friends. So... To help myself begin to get into the mood and chill out, I've set myself some tasks for the week.

I've been bumming around for weeks now, spending far too much on socialising and not checking my finances. I know that the past few weeks will have put me in a SHIT situation. And that's -really- stressing me out. I need to make a nice finance spread sheet and budget for the first time in my life. I'm determined to go away knowing that my money issues will begin to be more rational on my return to the UK.

I'm going to start eating properly. I have a freezer full of nice food but I've been ignoring it. I've been eating out (part of the problem outlined in the paragraph above.) but that's all going to change. I'm going to (after shopping tomorrow) have sandwiches for the rest of the week without eating out at lunch.

I'm going to get my clothes washing up to date rather than washing stuff when I need it. I've got a pile of clothes that really need washing, especially since I'm about to go away for 2 weeks.

Thinking back to money, I'm going to transfer the money I owe Chris for gas/electricity bills finally and if I can't re-find his account details, I'll write and send him a cheque.

I'm going to wash all my plates up, clean my kitchen and bathroom and hoover throughout my flat, probably on Friday so that I leave the place in a state I want to find it in when I get back. This includes emptying my overflowing bin (probably tomorrow, actually.)

And finally, and probably most difficult, I am going to abstain from alcohol for the week. I can't turn down a free glass of wine or two on the flight out, but I can stop for this week. It's been costing too much and I think drinking most nights is the major cause of my feeling down. It is, after all, a depressant.

So, feeling really quite strong and confident, I'm going to go to bed. If I fail any of the above points by the end of the week, I'm going to be upset with myself. I need to knuckle down and accept the responsibilities that come with owning a home and having a full time job. The student life style, I have discovered, just does not work in this situation.

Sleep well my pretties, and put your thinking caps on. Mid week I'll be wanting your help compiling my "things not to forget" list whilst I pack. Sweet dreams.