2014 Resolutions

It's that time of year again.  First let me follow up on my resolutions from 2013.  If I didn't complete it fully, then I will continue to work on it the following year.

1.)  Start the Good Thoughts Jar.  I periodically put something in my good thoughts jar, but not as often as I would like.  I will try this again for the next year.

2.)  Read the entire Bible.  I got behind again, but I'm planning on getting caught up at least to where I should be now.  I should finish my one year plan in April.  I do have a resolution for the next year that will be similar.

3.)  Lose weight...a lot of weight.  I think that I did a good job getting on the right track.  I still have quite a bit to go before I hit my goal weight (about 40 more pounds), but hopefully this next year I'll be able to lose it.

4.)  Be more creative.  I think I've been successful with this resolution.  I have done several craft projects and I even started sewing!  I have so many projects to do, it's crazy!

5.)  Cook one new recipe a month.  So this one was more difficult as the year went by, simply because of time, patience, and money.  I'll have a resolution for the next year that will be similar.

6.)  Save some money. So I may not have saved as much money as I hoped, but I got started and I have a plan.  Hopefully in the upcoming year, I can cross off a few items on the "To Save For" list, especially after my tax refund!

7.)  Drink more water. This one was a home run.  Thanks to using my water bottles at the beginning of the year, I've learned to drink at least the  minimum recommended amount of water each day.  Often I drink a lot more because of work outs.  I consider this a habit now.  :)

8.)  Be more appreciative.   I think that I've done a good job (please do correct me if I'm wrong on this!).  I've made a conscious effort to make sure that I tell people thank you or that I appreciate what they do.

9.)  Take more photos, and not just photos of my dog, Butch.   Epic fail again.  I've posted a few things on Instagram, but not enough to consider this resolution a success.  I have another resolution for the next year similar to this one that is a little more measurable.

10.)  Blog once at least once a ...month. I did awesome here!  Last month, I even blogged once a day!  ;)

Now, for the upcoming year, I've tried to get some inspiration from my previous resolutions that weren't 100% successful and from Pinterest.  (FYI: Readers, you may have noticed that I have typically have links in my posts.  I have links in posts for a reason, so click on them!)  Anyway, these resolutions are SMART resolutions, primarily that they are more measurable. 

1.)  Good Thoughts Jar This year, I'm hoping that I will have a "good thought" note in my jar at least once a week.  So at the end of the year, I should have at least 52 "good thoughts" in my jar!

2.)  Photo Challenge  This one is going to be fun and hopefully will finally help me with this resolution!  Anyway this is a two part resolution.  The first part is to take at least two pictures off of this list each month.  The second part is to complete this challenge sometime during the year.  Now, I'll need some help from my readers.  First, follow me on Instagram.  I always have my phone, so I'll probably take a lot of pictures using my phone instead of my camera.  I will most likely post them on Instagram.  Anyway, secondly, help me pick a month to do the second part of my resolution!  (Please don't pick January.)  Leave them in the comments.

3.)  Writing Challenge  Here is another resolution that I found on Pinterest.  Last month, I found it very challenging, but rewarding, to write a blog post every single day!  I want to try this again.  I would like to complete at least this one writing challenge during the year.  Readers, again, I'll need your help here.  Pick a month for me to do this (again, not January please)!  Also, if you find any more writing challenges, post the link in the comments section.

4.)  Fitness Challenge every quarter  This resolution will help me finish losing the weight that I want to lose.  I've seen these Fitness Challenges on Pinterest and I want to try it.  My resolution is to compete these monthly fitness challenge at least once every quarter.  (If I'm feeling confident, then I may even post before and after pictures.)  Anyway, my first fitness challenge will be in January, hence the "don't pick January" in the resolutions above.  If you see one that you think I should try, send it to me!

5.)  Yoga Challenge  One of my yogi friends told me about a Yoga Challenge that someone was doing on Instagram where they take a photo of themselves doing a yoga pose (some were super hard).  I want to complete one of these (I haven't found it yet).  But another part of this is that I would like to expand my yoga practice to more than just two or three times a week.  I know that setting a daily yoga practice is a lofty goal, so I want to set a resolution to do some sort of yoga practice (either at the gym or at home) at least 5 times a week.  I have reaped so many of the benefits and I know that increasing my practice will just continue to make me feel better.

6.)  Healthy Recipe once a month  So last year, I sought out to try at least one new recipe a month.  That got a little harder as the year progressed because I was eating pretty much sandwiches and protein shakes.  This year, I'm changing my eating habits a bit (shout out to Chica for helping me find out a good eating plan) so I should have more opportunities to try new recipes.  My goal is to try at least one healthy recipes each month.  I will probably pick some from here.

7.) Completed craft project once a month  Last year, I said that I wanted to be more creative and I feel like I was very successful at this.  However, it wasn't very measurable.  This year, I want to complete at least one craft project each month whether it be knitting, sewing, painting, etc..  This may be difficult, but I just have to keep in mind that a craft project can be small too!  I already have a couple of ideas.  Again, refer to my Pinterest for all of my ideas!

8.)  Cards  I've had a similar resolution to this one.  I didn't do too well either.  This year, I would like to send at least 5 cards through snail mail to someone.  This can be a birthday card, thank you card, thinking of you card, whatever.

9.)  Bible plan daily  So I started the One Year Bible plan in YouVersion this year, but I got a little behind, so I plan to finish this plan in April.  Even though I got behind, I found it very rewarding to read several stories that I've never read before.  I know that I asked Ryan a billion questions just in the first few books.  I find myself wanting to study more!  This year, my plan is not only to finish my resolution from last year, but to dive into more reading plans where I get a more in-depth study of the text.  I want to read something every day.  That is my goal for this year.

10.) Donate monthly  This one is a new one that most people probably don't put on a resolution list.  Let me tell you a little back story.  Toward the beginning of the year, ETSU launched a fundraising campaign called "Now Seating" to assist in funding a new arts performing center.  I signed up immediately because of my background in music.  I remember being able to perform at the Blair School of Music for competitions and recitals, so I found this project to be of interest.  Anyway, I donated $250 over the last ten months to this cause.  Now that I have paid my part, that's $25 per month that I have back now.  However, I want to pay it forward again.  I didn't miss that $25, so I want to donate it. This year, I would like to donate $25 each month to a cause.  Already, I can think of a few that I will donate to (Mission of Hope, the Epsilon Xi Chapter of Phi Sigma Pi, the Phi Sigma Pi Foundation).  I'm sure I will find other causes that I would like to donate to throughout the year.  If you think of anything, please let me know.

11.)  Blog at least twice a month  I think I have mastered the art of blogging once a month.  I'm going to up the frequency this year.  I want to blog at least twice a month (obviously one month I'm going to be blogging every day).  One of these will include a resolution update because several of my resolutions require some sort of monthly action.  I will include more links, more pictures, and just more in general!

Well, that's a recap and an update for the upcoming year.  I hope to see everyone making their own resolutions!  I would love to add you to my Blog roll -->;  so if you have a blog, let me know!

Happy New Year!

It's so hard to say goodbye...

Every year, really every semester, I find myself having to say goodbye to someone.  Usually it's a Brother who is graduating and moving on to bigger better things outside of Johnson City.  However, this month, I've already had to say goodbye to several people in the past week (one includes a wonderful instructor from the Chemistry department who will be greatly missed).  I will also have to say goodbye to my brother (not fraternity brother), Alex, at the end of the month for when he leaves for the Philippines to be rejoined with his lovely fiancee and to begin his Ph.D. program .

I wanted to post about how I feel about goodbyes.  I hate goodbyes, yes, hate.  When this song played at the end of my 8th grade year of middle school, I cried.  When I left for college, I cried.  I hate saying goodbye.  So, being the introverted self that I am, I tend to try to not say goodbye anymore...if that makes any sense.  For example, when graduate students leave for their next graduate school or to start their career, I typically just do the usually check-out paperwork and get their keys from them.  Never do I really say, "It was nice working with you" or "Good luck with you life".  It seems too final for me!  I often will say, "See you later" or "Have a good day" like I normally would.  It may come across a little cold, but it's just my way of dealing with the fact that I don't want to say goodbye.  

Anyway, so if I had to say goodbye recently or if I'm going to say goodbye to you soon, please don't take my nonchalant conversation and tone as being cold.  I just simply don't want to say goodbye!  I will definitely give hugs (if you move first though, again, I really hate goodbyes) and I will keep in touch if you would like!  I know that all of you are going off to do awesome things!  :)

Thanksgiving: Day 30

Ok...last but certainly not least.  Today I'm extremely thankful for my parents.  Tonight, Mom cooked Thanksgiving dinner for Daddy, Christie, Alex, Ryan, and I.  It was a wonderful dinner!  You knew it was good food when the dinner table was quiet!  ;)  Anyway, I am so thankful for my mom and dad.  I literally wouldn't be here if it weren't for them.  :P  They have shown me so much love and given me so much support throughout my life and continue to do so.  I don't know what I'd do without them.  I could go on about how awesome they are, but I want to keep this post brief.  All in all, I love you both, Mom and Dad, and I'm so glad that I got to spend this weekend with you!

Thanksgiving: Day 29

Today, I'm thankful for retail workers.  This year, many retailers opened at 8:00 PM yesterday evening.  I was saddened by this considering that yesterday was a holiday and many individuals didn't get to have Thanksgiving dinner with their families and had to work instead.  Anyway, I know many of my friends who had to work last night, early this morning, and even throughout the day.  I went shopping today, but not at sunrise (thank goodness!).  I am thankful for all of the retail workers who had to work yesterday and today so people could get some Christmas shopping done and have great shopping experiences like I did today.

Thanksgiving: Day 28

Today, I'm thankful for Thanksgiving Day!  I love this holiday because it brings family and friends together and we eat! ;)  It also inspires many people to think about the things that they are thankful for, just like me! 

Thanksgiving: Day 27

Today I'm thankful that the university closed its offices today.  Ryan and I took a chance and came home to Nashville last night hoping that they would close the university today due to weather.  Classes were canceled yesterday for today early yesterday morning, but the alert stated that the offices wouldn't close until this morning at the earliest.  And they did!  :)  Thank goodness.  I have an extra-long holiday weekend. :)

Thanksgiving: Day 26

I'm thankful that Nashville and Johnson City are not too far away.  I'm able to drive (really ride because Ryan does the driving) just a few hours to get back home for the holidays.  I'm glad that I don't have to fly!

Thanksgiving: Day 25

Today, I'm thankful for Bernina In Stitches.  I've completed my Beginner's Sewing class this evening.  Granted, I haven't finished my project yet because I still have quite a bit of "homework" left.  I was hoping to bring it home for Thanksgiving to show my parents and sister.  Maybe I'll get it finished tonight, who knows.  Anyway, I'm thankful for this company because they offer these classes and they are super helpful!  My instructor's name is Donna and she is awesome.  I'm so thankful for her too!

Thanksgiving: Day 24

Today I'm thankful for my Grandmama's bread.  Some of you may remember my post about my Grandmama's bread from 2011 (the link is in this sentence if you want to read it).  Anyway, this week, I made 15 loaves and a couple of "poppers" because I didn't have another bread pan.  I made them because the undergraduate Chapter of the fraternity had their annual Thanksgiving dinner.  I knew that the Brothers would consumer several loaves and I knew that a lot of people would ask for one.  I ended up giving away all but one loaf!  I'm glad I was able to keep that one loaf because today I have felt awful!  I think all of the festivities yesterday really wore me out.  Anyway, being able to have her bread really gave me some comfort.  :)

Thanksgiving: Day 23

Today, I'm thankful for Suzanne Collins, the author of the Hunger Games.  Tonight, my SAAC Brothers and I went to go see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the movie.  It was AWESOME!  It was even better than the first movie in my opinion.  Readers, you know that I'm not much of a book reader, but this was a series that I was captivated by and I finished all three books in a matter of days.  Now that the movies have come out, I'm compelled to read them again!  (I know, who am I??) Anyway, if you haven't read the books, DO IT!  If you haven't seen the movies, GO SEE THEM!  They are awesome.  :)

Thanksgiving: Day 22

Today, I'm thankful for my seam ripper.  A seam ripper is exactly what it sounds like.  It's a sewing tool that rips seams.  As I've mentioned in some previous posts, I'm learning how to sew.  Part of learning is making mistakes.  (I'm made quite a few today.)  Anyway, thankfully, I have a tool that allows me to make mistakes, learn from them, go through a little bit of tedious work to start over, and fix my mistake.  I'm glad I learned about this tool; otherwise, I would have thrown my garment away days ago!

Thanksgiving: Day 21

Today I am thankful for my wonderful, super awesome sister, Christie!  Today is her 24th birthday!  Christie and I have always been close and continue to be close today.  I'm so thankful that I've been able to grow up with such a great person!  I have had so much fun with her while traveling, shopping, and even just being lazy at home.  :)  I love our little Google Chat talks when we both aren't super busy.  I can't wait to see her next week.

I love you, Chica, and I hope you have a fantabulous day!

Thanksgiving: Day 20

Today, I'm thankful for the Epsilon Xi Chapter of Phi Sigma Pi.  Tonight, we inducted Lambda class, celebrated the new chapter of four new Alumni Members, performed a new adoption ceremony, and even performed our first ever Chapter Service Key ceremony.

Ryan and I were awarded the Chapter's first Chapter Service Keys last night.  It was truly a surprise!  Another surprise was that I held it together throughout the hold ceremony with only glassy eyes.  :)  Receiving this award is truly an honor and I'm so happy! 

Epsilon Xi made my college experience so wonderful and brought me so many friends (even across the country)!  I honestly don't know who or where I would be without my Brothers and this Chapter.  It was great knowing that I've been able to give back.  I love you all, Brothers of Epsilon Xi!

Thanksgiving: Day 19

Okay...this one may be a little strange...I'm thankful for my dad's ability to "stick".  I use this term in the medical sense.  When people get their blood drawn or have an IV started, the medical personnel "sticks" them.  Dad has always been "a good stick".  I remember one time I was at the doctor's office to get some blood work done.  I was maybe in high school, if I remember correctly.  Anyway, the nurse stuck me about ten times until I fainted (I'm a fainter when I give blood for some reason.  The sight of blood doesn't bother me at all.  I think it has some subconscious thing about my skin getting pierced.)  Anyway, I got very angry because she stuck me so many times and "dug" for veins.  I yelled at her to get Daddy out of the waiting room.  She went and got him and I told him that she was incompetent and that he should try to stick me instead.  Before she really could object, he found a vein and stuck me the first time with no problems (and without me fainting again).  It was great.

My sister had a recent experience like this.  Many of you may know that my sister was admitted into the hospital tonight with a 3 mm kidney stone.  After she was admitted, the nurse prepared to start an IV on her.  Apparently, she couldn't find a vein and she said that she was "not used to sticking young ones".  Thankfully, Daddy was there and was able to stick her and start the IV as to not put Christie into too much more pain.  So, yea, a little odd, but I am thankful that Daddy is a good stick because he has saved my sister, my mom (I think), and me from horrible sticks!

Thanksgiving: Day 18

Today was a really rough day.  It's amazing how much stuff piles up when you are out of the office for training on a Friday (the quietest day of the week in the Chemistry Department).  Anyway, I'm so thankful for my loving boyfriend, Ryan.  It was a rough day, but he was so sweet and kind throughout the day, even if I was snappy.  He even pushed back his work out time so he could come home and just sit with me and I tried to relax from the craziness of my day.

I don't want to get into too much of the mushy gushy stuff, but really, Ryan is my rock.  I'm so thankful that I have had him in my life for well over a decade (and as my sweetheart for a little over a decade).  He's my bestest friend.  He keeps me grounded and calm.  I love him so much and I cannot say enough how grateful I am to have him in my life.

Thanksgiving: Day 17

Today, I'm thankful for my best friend, Justin.  We met back at the Carnegie Hotel and we've been best friends ever since.  The inspiration of this post is the fact that we have spent just about all afternoon and evening together!  First, we went to a Phi Sigma Pi Initiate event, then played volleyball.  After the games, we set off to our annual tradition: Magical Night of Giving.

My first year at the hotel, Justin invited me to go to Magical Night of Giving at the mall.  We had dinner then shopped til we dropped (really, until Electric 94.9 announced the winners of all of the door prizes at the event).  Anyway, we have gone every year...dinner and then the event.  Tonight, we started off differently by shopping first then dinner second.  We had so much fun as usual and got many of the gifts that we needed to buy.  :)  We even managed to go into Kitchen Collection without buying a single thing!  lol.

Anyway, I'm very thankful that we have been friends for so long and I'm so excited to see what the future has in store!

Thanksgiving: Day 16

Today, I'm thankful for sweatpants and baggy t-shirts.  :)  Weekends are so nice because I can really wear whatever I want that's comfortable, even if it is just sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt.  I don't know what it is, but it's always so comfortable!

Thanksgiving: Day 15

I'm thankful for nurses.  No, I'm not a nurse and I never wanted to be a nurse, but I am very thankful for them.  Today, Ryan and I took a CPR/AED and First Aid training course that was led out by MSHA nurses.  Let me say, they did awesome, primarily because they were so patient!  There were a lot of questions asked the required the nurse to be very patient (yes, I do believe there are things as stupid questions).  Anyway, this is just one example.

I've met and worked with several nurses.  I have several friends who are becoming nurses.  The amount of knowledge, skill, and patient that they need is great.  Most of them are compassionate.  There were a few nurses that I worked with that helped me learn quite a few life lessons.  Had it not been for the doctors that I met while working at the hospital, I may have pursued my career path in medicine because I knew that I would have wonderful assets on my team, nurses. 

Anyway, so if you have an encounter with a nurse, be nice and say thank you.  They may or may not hear that very often.

Thanksgiving: Day 14

Today, I'm thankful for my singing voice.  Okay...here's the inspiration...Glee.  Yea, yea, I know, it's Glee, but I have enjoyed the show.  Granted, I never really wanted to be a Broadway singer or even the next pop star, but I do love to sing.  Most of my current friends don't know that I sing.  I sang in my middle school choir.  I would have continued in high school, but I had to choose between flute or singing and at the time, I wanted to focus on my studies in flute. 

Now, I mostly sing...in the car.  Adele, Joss Stone, Melody Gardot, and artists like them are in the genre that I like to sing.  There's a jazzy, blues feel to them.  I love that.  To me, that kind of music really showcases the artists voice (not the incredible ability of some sound studio technology). 

Anyway, watching the last episode of Glee just reminded me how much I love to sing and how I wish I was confident enough to sing more.  Unfortunately, I'm in an area that isn't conducive for individuals not pursuing a career in singing (or a student in general) to sing.  Oh well.  Maybe one day the university will actually start up that Faculty/Staff ensemble. 

Thanksgiving: Day 13

Today, I'm thankful for genuinely, kind people.  It's been a very rough week so far having students come to the office upset because they couldn't get into a class that they "needed".  However, occasionally, I'll get a kind student who is super nice, even if I couldn't help them right away.  I also have Brothers who are very kind, even if we disagree or even if I ask a ridiculous favor.  :)  So remember, be kind to people.  Ya never know what kind of day or week they are having.