Saturday, December 27, 2008

Do Overs

Some of you may be wondering about the 101 list, and others may really care less. Either way, here is the update. I put it on hold. After I made my list, my wonderful ambitious husband decided he too would like to give setting 101 goals a try. So, Jeremy is in the process of completing his 101 list and will start January 1. In an effort to do this together, I will be starting my list over on January 1. We will be each others accountability partners as well as each others cheerleaders. So, sit tight, you will start to get weekly updates come the first of the year. Until then, hug a loved one and have a Happy New Year!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

These past few days...


These past few days, I have learned a lot. I have learned it is best to talk to people in person. It's amazing how brave one can be with what they say over text message or through e mail. I think sometimes, we say things through e mail or text message that we wouldn't usually say in person. Now, I don't know if people regret things they said, but I wonder if I had been talking to them in person if they would have said the same hurtful things, would I have said the same things?

I have also learned that it is not good to cry for two days straight. A few things happen. 1. You get a HORRIBLE headache. 2. Your eyes are always red and puffy...when you don't want them to be. 3. You get really sleepy at 7pm. The lesson learned here...don't cry for 2 days straight.

These past few days, I have learned that my friends are always there for me. It's amazing how a quick note from a friend who lives across the country can make you feel like you are someone special. I loved hearing from my friends with quick little words of encouragement, they made me smile and really helped lift my pains.

These past few days, I have learned why I really want to teach. I went back to school yesterday for my teacher's shower. When I got there, I went out to recess to get the kiddos. Seeing all of them running at me and making a huge circle around me while they all pushed to get through to hug me brought a huge smile to my face. But the biggest smile came from a little buddy of mine who I bonded over the Broncos with. He was a guys guy, and enjoyed being around me, but that was it. This little one grabbed hold of me yesterday to hug me and wouldn't let go. To me, that's what teaching is all about. I could tell from the comments the student made that I had made some sort of an impact, and to me, that's what it's all about. And it is because of that that I KNOW I will be a GREAT teacher, even when some tell me I wont.

These past few days, I realized I am a great person. I am a person who loves to have fun. And I am a person who can get in there and show others I can't be pushed around. It has been a hard few days, and a big roller coaster ride, but I feel I am better because of these past few days.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Yay for snow!


I have been totally loving the snow in Rio Rancho lately. We had a snow day on Tuesday, and with any luck we will have another one tomorrow. I love snow in New Mexico. It's peaceful and great to enjoy, and then, by the end of the day, it's gone so we can go about our lives. I don't think I could ever live in a place where snow stays on the ground for longer than a day. That's one of the many reasons why I love New Mexico, and love to call it home!

Monday, December 15, 2008

101 in 1001

I have always been a procrastinator and not really much of a goal organizer. After getting inspiration from an old high school friend, I have decided to make a list of 101 goals I will complete in the next 1001 days.

Here's my mission:
Complete 101 tasks in the period of 1001 days

Here's my timeline:
December 16, 2008 - September 15, 2011

Here's my Goals:
Italics = In Progress
Striked = Completed
Bold = Unsucessful




Bettering Myself
1. Lose 15 pounds (0/15)
2. Learn American Sign Language
3. Learn to play the guitar
4. Read 101 new books (0/101)
5. Make a complete and utter fool of myself
6. Write a letter to my idol teacher
7. Eat junk food one day without feeling guilty
8. Read a Shakespeare play and find somewhere to see it
9. Do 25 push-ups and 50 sit-ups every day (0/1001)
10. Complete a Sudoku book
11. Own a little black dress
12. Complete the couch to 5k run plan
13. Run in a 5k
14. Write a letter to myself as to where I think I’ll be in 1001 days
15. Open the letter on the 1001st day and read it
16. Read 10 books from the banned book list (0/10)
17. Learn to tie a tie
18. Read at least 3 classic novels (0/3)
19. Evaluate the items left on the list and consider making a new 101 in 1001 list

Being Crafty
20. Finish my latch hook
21. Paint the house
22. Start scrapbooking again
23. Take a picture a day and post on blog weekly
24. Give only homemade gifts for one Christmas
25. Take a quilting class
26. Make a gingerbread house from scratch

Exploring and Experiencing the World
27. Visit 5 new states (0/5)
28. Go on another cruise
29. See the pyramids in Egypt
30. Climb at least one 14er
31. Go to Washington DC and immerse myself in American History
32. Go to the Reagan library in California
33. Road trip to the Grand Canyon
34. Road trip to Mt. Rushmore
35. Attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
36. Spend a weekend in Niagara Falls
37. Travel first class
38. Go to the North Pole
39. Visit a castle

Being Money Smart
40. Pay off our debt
41. Use at least one coupon every time we go shopping

Being Green
42. Plant a tree
43. Plant an herb garden
44. Plant a vegetable garden
45. Get reusable bags for shopping trips
46. Use only reusable bags for shopping trips

Being a Good Wife
47. Attend a lock in with Jeremy
48. Complete the husband challenge
49. Go on a picnic date
50. Kiss Jeremy under mistletoe
51. Go skinny dipping with Jeremy
52. Write why my husband rocks each Friday (0/143)

All About Food
53. Bake a real cheesecake
54. Attend a wine tasting
55. Find my favorite red and white wine

Being a Good Citizen
56. Pay it forward
57. Spend under $10 for a meal and give a $10 tip
58. Donate blood
59. Do a charity walk/run
60. Go Christmas caroling

Being a Good Friend and Family Member
61. Reconnect with old friends
62. Get to know our neighbors
63. Host a holiday cookie exchange
64. Inspire someone else to make a 101 in 1001 list
65. Host a New Year’s party
66. Send a thank you note for every gift received
67. Have a girl’s night
68. Write and mail at least one handwritten letter per month (0/33)

Bloggy World
69. Blog my progress
70. Participate in NaBloPoMo
71. Post this list online
72. Write 101 comments on other peoples blogs (0/101)

Life Decisions
73. Become a Mom
74. Get a job teaching
75. Get a puppy
76. Have Jimmy build us a house
77. Start the graduate program

Being more Christ-like
78. Learn to love my enemies
79. Read every book of the bible (0/66 books or 0/1189 chapters)
80. Serve food at a homeless shelter when it’s not the busy/holiday time

For Fun
81. Use my new snowboard that has been sitting in the closet
82. Stay in bed all day when I’m not sick
83. Send a message in a bottle
84. Fly a kite
85. Memorize State capitals
86. Watch the complete series of “West Wing” from beginning to end
87. Watch the sunset, then stay up to watch the sunrise
88. Have a garage sale
89. Complete a puzzle a year
90. Watch AFI’s best 100 movies (0/100)
91. Play in the rain
92. Build a snowman
93. Build a sand castle
94. Upload a video to YouTube
95. Make a snow angel
96. Attend a Murder Mystery Dinner
97. Milk a cow
98. Go to a Jazz club
99. Buy something from Williams & Sonoma for our house
100. Donate $5 for each item not completed
101. Get $1 for each item completed and spend it on myself

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Passwords


I have a password for everything. I have a password to check my e mail, to pay my bills online, to get money out of the ATM. We even have a password to make the TIVO work. The problem...I have so many passwords that I forget what they are. Now, I know some of you, like me, use the same password for everything, but sometimes you have to have specifics in your password. It must be a certain length, it must contain letters and numbers, and sometimes you have to change it every 90 days. Today, I came across a problem. I was trying to get on my old laptop to access some documents. I booted it up and POW...it asked for my password. I remember setting up to have a password since I was in college when I was carrying that laptop around, but for the life of me, I can't remember the dumb password. I tried all of my old standby's, my new standby's and ever word in between and I still can't log on. UGH!!! I hate passwords!!

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

I Need Your Help

I recently saw a blog post from an old high school friend. He is doing the most inspiring thing and I feel it's a time in my life when I need to do this, too. He is vowing to write a list of 100 things he wants to accomplish in the next 1000 days. As I said, I also want to do this, but I need a little help first. I need your help in generating my list. So far, I have about 25 things...I'm a quarter of the way to completing my list, but I need more. Help me! Give me ideas that I can use. It is my goal to start this January 1st, if not sooner...so hustle up. Shout out your ideas and help me to complete my 100 in 1000.

I'm "back"


It has been so so so long since I have blogged. I have finally decided to start to get back into it. I'm not saying I am for sure back, but I am as back as my busy schedule allows me, so... I am just "back". 

Hurt


Why is it that things that are said that hurt stick with you more than things that are encouraging and affirming? Last night in our bible study we were talking about that issue. I brought up how someone told me earlier this year that I would never be a good teacher. That hurt! It completely took away from my joy of teaching and has stuck with me throughout all of my student teaching. I have had so many people since then tell me that I really am a wonderful teacher. I have heard that I present lessons well, work with the students wonderfully and am exceptional with the parents. Do you think those are the words I remember? Well, they should be, but they're not. I keep hearing in my head those extremely hurtful words "You'll never be a good teacher" and I can't shake them. Why is that? Why is it that hurt is so hard to overcome? 

Monday, December 01, 2008

Getting Real

Do you ever have those times when you say, "THANK YOU LORD!!!"?? I was checking out an old friend's MYSPACE profile. We actually dated for awhile, but the situation was not good at all. Many were scared for me while I was in the relationship, and looking back, I would have been scared for myself too. This person now has a kid, and I am so thankful the Lord got me out of that situation. Who knows...that could have been me. I too could have been stuck in her situation with a baby with a guy who doesn't care and makes you fear daily for your safety. At the time I thought it was perfect, looking back I didn't really know perfection. I now know what I have with Jeremy is the closest thing one can get to it. I just look back and thank the Lord for getting me out of that situation. I thank Him for saving me from a miserable scared life, for bringing the TRUE ME back to my family and friends, and for giving me the most amazing man so I really experience and know true love!!
I know at times us girls can get ourselves into trouble. We can think we are in paradise, but in reality we are in a sort of hell. It is my hope that any girl who reads this would know that there is more out there. There is an amazing pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, you just need to get out of the rainy storm to see it.