Every year I try to come up with a theme for my new year. Within this theme lie my resolutions. A couple of years ago my theme was to be FEARLESS! That was the year I got married... and pregnant... SUCCESS!
This year I have deemed the YEAR OF GETTING MYSELF TOGETHER! This is a more multifaceted theme than most. Not only do I want to get my physical self in better shape, but also my emotional self. Last year WAS a roller coaster afterall! Of course, I firmly believe that by getting my physical self shaped up, that will in turn help a lot of my emotional stress.
Yes, I admit, I am resolving to lose weight. This, I feel, is possibly THE most unoriginal resolution. But alas! It must happen. I have decided to stagger my goals as far as this is concerned.
GOAL #1: Lose 10 lbs by Spring Break! This gives me approximately 9 wks. I'd like to be a bit more fit before VEGAS!
GOAL #2: Run another 1/2 marathon! (I swear I must be CRAZY!) I ran one a couple of years ago-- the YEAR OF BEING FEARLESS, actually-- and I did it! Of course, every step of the 13.1 miles I reminded myself that I hate running. However, truthfully, it wasn't as bad as I had envisioned. Plus I figure the training for this will help with Goal #1. And there is certainly a mental/ emotional component to pushing your body 13.1 miles. (Did I mention it was 13.1 miles?!)
GOAL #3: Be more positive at school! This is one of my major emotional issues. I am burnt out! TOAST! I really feel I need a change, and I have discussed this with my princi, but of course there is not much I can do before next school year. In the meantime, I need to suck it up and stop complaining about THIS year.
GOAL #4: Purge the house! I have done this several times in the last couple of years, but somehow I still have a TON of stuff! And now that I have hubby here-- and he HATES the clutter!-- PLUS a bunch of baby stuff-- I really need to SERIOUSLY cut the clutter! And I need to ORGANIZE what I have. Oy! Luckily my school is planning a rummage sale this spring-- I could provide enough stuff on my own! I really am looking forward to getting this goal accomplished!
GOAL #5: Become more financially saavy! Hubby has helped with this a LOT... as has refinancing the mortgage. I still suck at bills and balancing budgets-- but I vow to at least try harder!
So there it is! Now that it's out there, I hope I will feel more pressure to get these accomplished! Feel free to bug me from time to time on how I am doing.
Showing posts with label Planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Planning. Show all posts
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Thursday, January 1, 2009
A Year in Review: 2008
January
1. Did you have a new year's resolution this year?: This is the year to make things happen-- NO REGRETS.. BE FEARLESS!
2. Who kissed you at midnight?: not happened yet, but I s'pose my family as that is who I am with
3. Have you ever been to times square to watch the ball drop?: Nope... not sure I would want to actually...
February
1. Who was your valentine in 2008?: HA! We had an anti-VD dinner-- me, Miche, Josh, et al. Some chick fell in my yard and did serious ankle damage...
2. What did your valentine get you?: honestly, I don't remember much. I know one of my students got me a teddy bear that whistled...it was funny
3. When you were little, did you buy valentines for your whole class?: of course, I still do
March
1. Are you Irish?: Nope... Mc-Scottish
2. Do you wear green on St. Patty's Day?: Yes... 5th graders LOVE to pinch you if you don't
3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day in 2008: Wow... I seriously don't remember...
April
1. Do you like the rain?: LOVE IT! Esp thunderstorms
2. Did you play an April fool's joke on anyone this year? I don't think I did...
3. Do you get tons of candy on easter?: I do... esp Cadbury Eggs... MMmmm!
May
1. What's your favorite kind of flower?: Pansies are my fave!
2. Do you like the spring?: Yes. Means school is ALMOST OUT!
3. What would you think of as a spring color?: Anything pastel-- pink, lavender, yellow... "It's like Easter just threw up on the floor!"
June
1. What year did you graduate from school?: 1995, 2000, 2003
2. Did you go on any vacations last June?: First I went to England with Nan... then to NYC with the family....
July
1. What did you do on the 4th of July?: The fam as @ Aunt V's in VA... we shot fireworks and drank lots of margaritas
2. Went on any vacations during this month?: HMMMmmm... I guess just to VA... Oh and Lacy and I hiked Mt. LeConte also...
August
1. Did you do anything special to end off your summer?: Nope, just headed back to school... woo!
2. What was your favorite summer memory of '08?: My trip to England, fo sho!
3. Do you go swimming a lot in the summer?: not a lot...
4. Do you go to the beach a lot?: not a lot... I am planning a beach trip for Spring Break this year
September
1. Who is your favorite teacher?: Still Talbott... she's my hero! This is her last year... lucky duck gets to retire...
2. Do you like fall better than summer?: Yup... Fall is my FAVORITE!
October
1. What was your favorite halloween costume? This year I went as Las Vegas-- it was awesome!!
2. What's your favorite candy?: Reese's Cups
3. What did you dress up like this year?: Las Vegas... "Lady Luck" was the actual costume name
November
1. Whose house do you usually go to for thanksgiving?: This year I just went to Dad's... as Grandma was out of town again...
2. Do you like stuffing?: (a.k.a dressing) YES! I could eat my weight in it! And I did!
3. What are you thankful for?: great family and friends... a good class @ school... and all the opportunities that I have in life-- I know I am very blessed.
December
1. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?: I have...
2. What do you want this year for christmas?: honestly, not much of anything...
3. What's the best present you ever got for Christmas?: Wow, no clue... This year I got some cool stuff: a Cricuit (for scrapbooking), a wish necklace-- to be FEARLESS (conplete with dragon charm), a hip scarf-- to bellydance myself around the house, and lots of notepads and journals to get myself organized
4. Do you like cold weather?: Yes... but I feel if it is COLD, there should also be snow... And I get tired of bitter cold...
1) How would you rate your 08(1-10)?: Hmmm... 7 or 7.5-- definitely better than last year... And I have a good feeling about '09!
2) Where were you when 2008 began? Fredericksburg, VA @ Aunt V's
3) Who were you with? The fam-- Crazy aunts, Jessica, Thom, Mae, Henry, Richard, William, Alexander & Gma
4) Where will you be when 2008 ends? I'm in Ojai, CA with the same fam
5) Who will you be with when 2008 ends? the fam
6) Do you have a new years resolution for 2009? This is the year to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN... and be more FEARLESS
7) Did you fall in love in 2008? Don't know about love... but perhaps more "mcSmitten"
8) You regret it? No regrets! That's the deal
9) Did you breakup with anyone in 2008? uh, no.... that would require dating someone
10) Did you make any new friends in 2008? I'm sure I did... some friends I got to know better... WAIT! I thought of a new friend! Josh 2.0!
11) Who is your favorite new friend? Josh 2.0 (and all his ghosts) win! I also got to know Lacy better-- and that ROCKS!
12) What was your favorite month of 2008? October= VEGAS, BABY! I look fwd to that trip all year. I also loved May/June when Nan and I were in England
13) How many different places did you travel to in 2008?: Oh wow-- see this was my resolution-- Cancun, VA, England, New York, Vegas, California, Indiana, Nashville, Cookeville (hey, might not be glamorous, but it counts!)
14) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2008? not close to me, but several friends did and I did my best to be there for them
15) Did you miss anyone in the past year? Mc-yes.
16) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2008? Oh wow... hmmm, "Quantum of Solace" or "The Dark Knight" I s'pose.. and "Role Models" cracked me up. There are a lot of '08 movies I haven't seen yet.
17) Do you enjoy where you are now? I feel I have made some definite progress this year. And I feel some more progress coming this year...
18) What was your proudest moment of 2008? Hmmm.... becoming more myself... completing some 5Ks (preparing for 1/2 marathon)... meeting the Dragon- and surviving!
19) What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008? Possibly Justy's bachlorette party in Nashville... apparently I was out of control-- in a fun way... or when I fell @ Justy's wedding...ahahahaha
20) What are your plans for 2009?Be more FEARLESS... survive a 1/2 marathon... maybe even skydive... And I am now pondering a move to Nashville... we shall see!
1. Did you have a new year's resolution this year?: This is the year to make things happen-- NO REGRETS.. BE FEARLESS!
2. Who kissed you at midnight?: not happened yet, but I s'pose my family as that is who I am with
3. Have you ever been to times square to watch the ball drop?: Nope... not sure I would want to actually...
February
1. Who was your valentine in 2008?: HA! We had an anti-VD dinner-- me, Miche, Josh, et al. Some chick fell in my yard and did serious ankle damage...
2. What did your valentine get you?: honestly, I don't remember much. I know one of my students got me a teddy bear that whistled...it was funny
3. When you were little, did you buy valentines for your whole class?: of course, I still do
March
1. Are you Irish?: Nope... Mc-Scottish
2. Do you wear green on St. Patty's Day?: Yes... 5th graders LOVE to pinch you if you don't
3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day in 2008: Wow... I seriously don't remember...
April
1. Do you like the rain?: LOVE IT! Esp thunderstorms
2. Did you play an April fool's joke on anyone this year? I don't think I did...
3. Do you get tons of candy on easter?: I do... esp Cadbury Eggs... MMmmm!
May
1. What's your favorite kind of flower?: Pansies are my fave!
2. Do you like the spring?: Yes. Means school is ALMOST OUT!
3. What would you think of as a spring color?: Anything pastel-- pink, lavender, yellow... "It's like Easter just threw up on the floor!"
June
1. What year did you graduate from school?: 1995, 2000, 2003
2. Did you go on any vacations last June?: First I went to England with Nan... then to NYC with the family....
July
1. What did you do on the 4th of July?: The fam as @ Aunt V's in VA... we shot fireworks and drank lots of margaritas
2. Went on any vacations during this month?: HMMMmmm... I guess just to VA... Oh and Lacy and I hiked Mt. LeConte also...
August
1. Did you do anything special to end off your summer?: Nope, just headed back to school... woo!
2. What was your favorite summer memory of '08?: My trip to England, fo sho!
3. Do you go swimming a lot in the summer?: not a lot...
4. Do you go to the beach a lot?: not a lot... I am planning a beach trip for Spring Break this year
September
1. Who is your favorite teacher?: Still Talbott... she's my hero! This is her last year... lucky duck gets to retire...
2. Do you like fall better than summer?: Yup... Fall is my FAVORITE!
October
1. What was your favorite halloween costume? This year I went as Las Vegas-- it was awesome!!
2. What's your favorite candy?: Reese's Cups
3. What did you dress up like this year?: Las Vegas... "Lady Luck" was the actual costume name
November
1. Whose house do you usually go to for thanksgiving?: This year I just went to Dad's... as Grandma was out of town again...
2. Do you like stuffing?: (a.k.a dressing) YES! I could eat my weight in it! And I did!
3. What are you thankful for?: great family and friends... a good class @ school... and all the opportunities that I have in life-- I know I am very blessed.
December
1. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?: I have...
2. What do you want this year for christmas?: honestly, not much of anything...
3. What's the best present you ever got for Christmas?: Wow, no clue... This year I got some cool stuff: a Cricuit (for scrapbooking), a wish necklace-- to be FEARLESS (conplete with dragon charm), a hip scarf-- to bellydance myself around the house, and lots of notepads and journals to get myself organized
4. Do you like cold weather?: Yes... but I feel if it is COLD, there should also be snow... And I get tired of bitter cold...
1) How would you rate your 08(1-10)?: Hmmm... 7 or 7.5-- definitely better than last year... And I have a good feeling about '09!
2) Where were you when 2008 began? Fredericksburg, VA @ Aunt V's
3) Who were you with? The fam-- Crazy aunts, Jessica, Thom, Mae, Henry, Richard, William, Alexander & Gma
4) Where will you be when 2008 ends? I'm in Ojai, CA with the same fam
5) Who will you be with when 2008 ends? the fam
6) Do you have a new years resolution for 2009? This is the year to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN... and be more FEARLESS
7) Did you fall in love in 2008? Don't know about love... but perhaps more "mcSmitten"
8) You regret it? No regrets! That's the deal
9) Did you breakup with anyone in 2008? uh, no.... that would require dating someone
10) Did you make any new friends in 2008? I'm sure I did... some friends I got to know better... WAIT! I thought of a new friend! Josh 2.0!
11) Who is your favorite new friend? Josh 2.0 (and all his ghosts) win! I also got to know Lacy better-- and that ROCKS!
12) What was your favorite month of 2008? October= VEGAS, BABY! I look fwd to that trip all year. I also loved May/June when Nan and I were in England
13) How many different places did you travel to in 2008?: Oh wow-- see this was my resolution-- Cancun, VA, England, New York, Vegas, California, Indiana, Nashville, Cookeville (hey, might not be glamorous, but it counts!)
14) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2008? not close to me, but several friends did and I did my best to be there for them
15) Did you miss anyone in the past year? Mc-yes.
16) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2008? Oh wow... hmmm, "Quantum of Solace" or "The Dark Knight" I s'pose.. and "Role Models" cracked me up. There are a lot of '08 movies I haven't seen yet.
17) Do you enjoy where you are now? I feel I have made some definite progress this year. And I feel some more progress coming this year...
18) What was your proudest moment of 2008? Hmmm.... becoming more myself... completing some 5Ks (preparing for 1/2 marathon)... meeting the Dragon- and surviving!
19) What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008? Possibly Justy's bachlorette party in Nashville... apparently I was out of control-- in a fun way... or when I fell @ Justy's wedding...ahahahaha
20) What are your plans for 2009?Be more FEARLESS... survive a 1/2 marathon... maybe even skydive... And I am now pondering a move to Nashville... we shall see!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
(M)Horoscope...
So to the unknowing eye it might appear I have done NOTHING today... but OH CONTRAIRE! I have been quite busy, though I have not left the couch or changed out of my pjs... I have been working on my resume (again!) and trying to figure out a good plan for getting myself a teaching gig overseas... (which is why I created THIS blog, afterall).
So... several schools I have investigated use agencies to fill their teaching positions. I have previously applied with one of these agencies, but they tend to deal more with secondary teachers. One school I have looked at had some upcoming recruitment fairs listed on their site. So I clicked on the link to the company organizing the fair... and have been working on applying with them. The idea being, perhaps I will be-bop myself to their employment fair in Chicago and land an interview with some schools abroad.
WHEW! See, I told you I have been busy!
I just sent my resume to a principal friend, and while waiting on his suggestions, I decided to check the horoscope. Here is what it says for today:
You have been led along by others for way too long. You need to reassert yourself.
No matter who you're dealing with today, you can expect to be in sync and ready for almost anything that comes your way. It's a great time to coordinate plans and long-range ambitions.
Sweet! Long range ambitions! That is what I have spent ALL DAY on!
Through this particular company you can request domestic locations, as well as those abroad. So I also mentioned that, since it is hard as junk to get on in the UK, I have also pondered relocating to Nashville. So even if my BIG goal isn't achieved this year, my *slightly* smaller relocation goal might be.
**fingers crossed!**
So... several schools I have investigated use agencies to fill their teaching positions. I have previously applied with one of these agencies, but they tend to deal more with secondary teachers. One school I have looked at had some upcoming recruitment fairs listed on their site. So I clicked on the link to the company organizing the fair... and have been working on applying with them. The idea being, perhaps I will be-bop myself to their employment fair in Chicago and land an interview with some schools abroad.
WHEW! See, I told you I have been busy!
I just sent my resume to a principal friend, and while waiting on his suggestions, I decided to check the horoscope. Here is what it says for today:
You have been led along by others for way too long. You need to reassert yourself.
No matter who you're dealing with today, you can expect to be in sync and ready for almost anything that comes your way. It's a great time to coordinate plans and long-range ambitions.
Sweet! Long range ambitions! That is what I have spent ALL DAY on!
Through this particular company you can request domestic locations, as well as those abroad. So I also mentioned that, since it is hard as junk to get on in the UK, I have also pondered relocating to Nashville. So even if my BIG goal isn't achieved this year, my *slightly* smaller relocation goal might be.
**fingers crossed!**
Thursday, January 3, 2008
New Year... New Beginning...
...New Blog!
I am creating this blog to help me organize my thoughts, feelings, and information re: teaching abroad... This is something I really want to do... but something that will be UBER scary... and probably fairly difficult to get together....
That said-- many have said, "Oh what a great experience! You should totally do it before you have something that ties you down and prevents you from doing it!" Many seem to have confidence in me. However, this past holiday, my aunts (who ARE supportive) both agreed that I would never follow through.
A challenge, perhaps?
So, at this point I am in research-mode... Ihave been looking @ this website for info and help. They have a forum area which has been interesting-- reading everyone's posts, questions, answers, and advice... Several teachers who have made this move have blogs also-- so I have been reading through those.
Big questions right now:
~How much will this move cost initially? Not renting a place there-- but getting my stuff there, myself there, VISAs, paperwork, etc...
~How different is teaching in the UK? Most of the posts and blogs I have read are secondary teachers-- I am a primary teacher... So I just wonder....
~What area would I want to live in? Not London-- too hustle-bustle... and expensive... I have been to the UK several times and like many areas. (Warwick, the Lake District, York) My friend Nan and I have been discussing going over and scouting areas this summer... we'll see!
~When should I apply? I know most hiring is done in the spring... but would I be READY to do this in the fall?
OK, I will (I'M SURE) list MANY more questions and concerns soon... For now, anyone out there with advice? Suggestions? Encouragement? :)
I am creating this blog to help me organize my thoughts, feelings, and information re: teaching abroad... This is something I really want to do... but something that will be UBER scary... and probably fairly difficult to get together....
That said-- many have said, "Oh what a great experience! You should totally do it before you have something that ties you down and prevents you from doing it!" Many seem to have confidence in me. However, this past holiday, my aunts (who ARE supportive) both agreed that I would never follow through.
A challenge, perhaps?
So, at this point I am in research-mode... Ihave been looking @ this website for info and help. They have a forum area which has been interesting-- reading everyone's posts, questions, answers, and advice... Several teachers who have made this move have blogs also-- so I have been reading through those.
Big questions right now:
~How much will this move cost initially? Not renting a place there-- but getting my stuff there, myself there, VISAs, paperwork, etc...
~How different is teaching in the UK? Most of the posts and blogs I have read are secondary teachers-- I am a primary teacher... So I just wonder....
~What area would I want to live in? Not London-- too hustle-bustle... and expensive... I have been to the UK several times and like many areas. (Warwick, the Lake District, York) My friend Nan and I have been discussing going over and scouting areas this summer... we'll see!
~When should I apply? I know most hiring is done in the spring... but would I be READY to do this in the fall?
OK, I will (I'M SURE) list MANY more questions and concerns soon... For now, anyone out there with advice? Suggestions? Encouragement? :)
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