For the past few weeks, I've been apartment hunting.  I can't actually put a deposit down on anything until I get the official word on my job and sign all the papers, but I want to narrow it down to a few.  That way when I do officially have the job, I can go down that day and take an apartment.  Hopefully I can do this next week, before the semester starts up and students are coming back for the university.  At least I already have 3 in mind.  The thing I've noticed is the more expensive units also tend to have more community commodities- pool, gym, grills, etc.  Those are all nice.  I don't need them, but I'm sure I'd enjoy them.

I've also begun house hunting for my future pet rats.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a cage by Midwest Homes for Pets.  From what I've read in many rat forums, they're worth the price.  They're roomy and easy to clean.  When I told my mom I was thinking about spending $230 on a rat cage, she was rather astonished I would spend that much money for a rat.  I want to make sure I give my rats (I'll probably get 2-4 rats when I go to the store) a nice home.  Sadly, most of the cages sold for rats are very small (probably too small).  The cheapest (new) cage I like is $70-80.  It seems to get pretty good reviews, but probably won't hold more than 3 rats at most.  I'm probably going to end up getting a single unit Critter Nation or Ferret Nation (the double unit is too much) and decorate it with lots of hammocks, tubes, and what not.  I'm probably going to end up spoiling my rats.  I think its inevitable.