I got the change to run today. Much needed, especially after the stressful day I had at work. Of course, after I got about 2 miles from my house it started raining, but I didn't mind. The way I see it, once you're wet there is really no difference. What I've found is that I do some of my best thinking when I'm running, especially running in crappy weather. So I was even a little excited....what kind of awesomeness would I come up with?
The first thing I thought of was how incredibly socially awkward I am. It's a trait I've always fought, but if that's who I am shouldn't I just embrace it? I have a terrible sense of fashion and I am clueless when it comes to relating to people. There have been several times in my career that I've self-diagnosed myself with some social-anxiety-ish disorder. I want to stop fighting it, and see what happens if I let things happen the way they should. Consider it my own personal social experiement. My prediction? I'm going to piss off a lot of people!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
It's The First Day of School All Over Again!
I'm a sucker for self-improvement. I'm all about "making my self better" and all that other garbage that they feed you to try and make you more ambitious when you are growing up. That being said, I've again signed myself up for another semester of punishment: online graduate course style!
It's pretty sad when you are 29, and there still isn't a time you can remember when you weren't in school. First, it was preschool. Then, elementary school. Then, on to Junior High and High School. After that, I followed what everyone said I should do and went to college. Two colleges to be exact. When I graduated, I took a brief break but couldn't stay away. It's been 24 years since I wasn't going to school. I have lots of beautiful pieces of paper that show I've been going to school forever!
True, these glorified pieces of paper say that I've accomplished something, but I'm always left wanting more. First it was to finish my Bachelor's with a Dual Major plus a Minor. Once that was done, I decided to set my sights on my Master's. With the short hiatus in there to have a baby, I did that with little difficulty. Now, through some moment of insanity, I've decided to set my sights on earning my Principal/Supervisor of Special Ed Certification. What's even worse, I'm already researching PhD programs that I can start up once I'm done with my Certification. I seriously think I have an addiction to learning.
So now here I sit, with a binder full of assignments, a Diet Dr. Pepper, and an overwhelming feeling of impending doom. Here's to self-improvement, right?
It's pretty sad when you are 29, and there still isn't a time you can remember when you weren't in school. First, it was preschool. Then, elementary school. Then, on to Junior High and High School. After that, I followed what everyone said I should do and went to college. Two colleges to be exact. When I graduated, I took a brief break but couldn't stay away. It's been 24 years since I wasn't going to school. I have lots of beautiful pieces of paper that show I've been going to school forever!
True, these glorified pieces of paper say that I've accomplished something, but I'm always left wanting more. First it was to finish my Bachelor's with a Dual Major plus a Minor. Once that was done, I decided to set my sights on my Master's. With the short hiatus in there to have a baby, I did that with little difficulty. Now, through some moment of insanity, I've decided to set my sights on earning my Principal/Supervisor of Special Ed Certification. What's even worse, I'm already researching PhD programs that I can start up once I'm done with my Certification. I seriously think I have an addiction to learning.
So now here I sit, with a binder full of assignments, a Diet Dr. Pepper, and an overwhelming feeling of impending doom. Here's to self-improvement, right?
Sunday, January 27, 2013
List Progress 1/27/13
So as much as I hate to center everything around my lovely list, I figure I should at least give a periodic update of where I am. Honestly, this is more so that I keep myself on track, and less for your enjoyment. So as of this evening here is where I stand:
1. Run
a 10k....Looked up a list of upcoming races, unfortunately there aren't any 10k races until late spring/summer. Guess that gives me time to train!
2. Finish
a half marathon...Registered. Even signed up to be on my school's team (hoping that, and the $50 registration fee, will keep me from backing down)
3. Travel
further west than Toledo...Discussed posibilities with Tim, so far, nothing set in stone.
4. Shoot
a gun
5. Visit
New York City...Had an opportunity but had to pass, it would've been with a high school group and I really want more of an "adult" trip.
6. Start
a blog/journal If you are reading this, I can assume that this item can be crossed off :)
7. Go
to an NFL football game....Not going to get started on the whole Super Bowl situation. Let's just say I will have to wait until next season.
8. Read
at least 10 books off of Time’s Top 100 Books of All Time list...Finished The Great Gatsby last night, not sure what I'm going to read next.
9. Take
a class unrelated to teaching
10. Finish
re-painting the house (Master Bedroom, Guest Bedroom, Downstairs Living Room,
Basement Bath)...Tiled my shower....oh wait, that wasn't on the list...
11. Have
the equivalent of one month’s salary in savings...Saved a whopping $50 from last paycheck (hey, it's a start)
12. Host/Cook
a holiday meal for the family.
13. Take
a weekend trip focused on M...Started planning, looking more like an entire week!
14. Go
to a concert.
15. Have
a girl’s weekend somewhere other than Erie.
16. Golf
a full 18 holes, and keep score...Tim got new clubs, but that doesn't mean much.
17. Pay
off at least 2 of my 3 credit cards. (and keep them that way!!)
18. Get
another tattoo
19. Organize
all my pictures and back them up. Maybe
even get some printed out....Started out planning on organizing, ended up just looking at pictures for two hours
20. Try
at least 3 new foods (or re-try foods I haven’t tried in a while)...Almost tried Salt and Vinegar chips, then I smelled them, bleck!
21. Ride
on a motorcycle
22. Change
my hairstyle/hair color
23. Complete
at least one random act of kindness/pay it forward type action
24. Make/build
something...Does tiling a shower count?
25. Surprise
someone...Gave a co-worker some treats, but I'm hoping to accomplish a little more than pawning off my leftovers on someone else.
26. Learn
to play the guitar (at least some of the basics)...Seriously thinking about changing this one. Recently I've gotten back into playing the piano from time to time, and really would rather just focus on one instrument.
27. Improve
my Spanish
28. Learn
to drive a stick shift
29. Have
a spa day – more than just mani/pedi
30. Celebrate
my 30th in style! (think Limo, sequins, bubbly!)
So, if you were wondering, that's where I am as of right now. Nothing too drastic, but still its a start!
The List
Recently beginning my 29th year, I had what I consider to be a "mini mid-life crisis." For me, the thought of no longer being in my 20's was terrifying. Growing up, there was a certain ideal I had for a 30-year-old. Someone who was confident in who they were, what they did, and how they looked. Now, one month in to my 29th year, the only thing I can say with confidence is that I am none of the above. So I decided to set out and change that.
Step one of my plan, my "30 Before 30" list. Now anyone that knows me, knows that I am all about writing lists and planning things out. My problem comes in the execution of the plan. I normally go gung-ho for the first week or two, and then fizzle out and forget about it within a month. I've had some great plans in my day. Luckily, due to my amazing listing and planing skills, they are all laid out on paper for anyone who has the ambition to take them a step further.
I am sure your burning question at this point has to do with what is on the list. Well, without further ado, here it is in all of it's list-like glory.
Step one of my plan, my "30 Before 30" list. Now anyone that knows me, knows that I am all about writing lists and planning things out. My problem comes in the execution of the plan. I normally go gung-ho for the first week or two, and then fizzle out and forget about it within a month. I've had some great plans in my day. Luckily, due to my amazing listing and planing skills, they are all laid out on paper for anyone who has the ambition to take them a step further.
I am sure your burning question at this point has to do with what is on the list. Well, without further ado, here it is in all of it's list-like glory.
Bri's 30 Before 30 List
1. Run
a 10k
2. Finish
a half marathon
3. Travel
further west than Toledo
4. Shoot
a gun
5. Visit
New York City
6. Start
a blog/journal
7. Go
to an NFL football game
8. Read
at least 10 books off of Time’s Top 100 Books of All Time list
9. Take
a class unrelated to teaching
10. Finish
re-painting the house (Master Bedroom, Guest Bedroom, Downstairs Living Room,
Basement Bath)
11. Have
the equivalent of one month’s salary in savings.
12. Host/Cook
a holiday meal for the family.
13. Take
a weekend trip focused on M.
14. Go
to a concert.
15. Have
a girl’s weekend somewhere other than Erie.
16. Golf
a full 18 holes, and keep score
17. Pay
off at least 2 of my 3 credit cards. (and keep them that way!!)
18. Get
another tattoo
19. Organize
all my pictures and back them up. Maybe
even get some printed out.
20. Try
at least 3 new foods (or re-try foods I haven’t tried in a while)
21. Ride
on a motorcycle
22. Change
my hairstyle/hair color
23. Complete
at least one random act of kindness/pay it forward type action
24. Make/build
something
25. Surprise
someone
26. Learn
to play the guitar (at least some of the basics)
27. Improve
my Spanish
28. Learn
to drive a stick shift
29. Have
a spa day – more than just mani/pedi
30. Celebrate
my 30th in style! (think Limo, sequins, bubbly!)
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