Motivational Hoodie

This is my motivational hoodie.
My parents got this for me in Argentina a few years ago.
Apparently is had some kind of relationship with a soap opera or TV show
(Random, I know, but I like it!)
It also helps me remember what my blood type is.
Hmm.  Useful!

I love the beginning of a fresh new year!
Although I can hardly believe it's 2010 (seems like a futuristic, science fictional thing),
I am looking forward to what's ahead and already it has started off quite well. ;)
Like many, I have often made my little list of goals (or what some call "New Year's Resolutions")
I've never really considered myself to be the "goal oriented" type exactly, and always kinda struggled with the whole process.  I'm also kind of a perfectionist sometimes and expect a lot from myself.  Sometimes even unrealistic things, and when I don't measure up I get very frustrated.  So, what would often happen would be that I'd start out really excited about changing and becoming better, and then a few failures later I was kinda done.

Let's face it, checking things off a To-Do list feels wonderful.
Failure, not so much. Often it is not motivating.
But! I guess it all depends on how you're looking at it....

The first sunday at church we had an awesome, motivating little lesson on goals and goal making and I've decided that this year I want to have a different attitude.  This year I'm going to focus on consistency and perseverance.  Essentially.....enduring to the end.

So what if my goal is to not drink soda pop and by the end of the year I still drink it?
(and I really don't even drink that much but sometimes Coke just tastes so good to wash down pizza or pasta!)
Well then, the important thing is that at the very least I'm drinking less than I was before.

I have learned that it's ok if reaching a goal takes time.  Even if it turns out to be longer than originally anticipated.   (That is of course, as long as we are working on it)  Just like they say, "Rome wasn't built in a day".  What matters is taking it one step at a time, It just takes little steps day by day, improving bit by bit.

I like this quote:

"Perfection is a process and not an event, and you will come to appreciate that perfection is an internal matter, not external. It is a process by which you and I learn to eliminate the things in life that are not good, replcae them with the things in life that are eternal in nature, with the objective and thought that perfection is obtainable, but it must be earned."

Elder Russell M. Ballard

We got this nifty little handout about making goals. I hope you'll find it helpful.
1. Get clear on a goal
2. Write it down (very important, so you don't forget!)

3. Asses your goal

   Think of in present tense "I am....", not "I will...."

    Be specific

    Make sure it's achievable and measurable

    Be positive, say "i can do it!"

   Set a time limit

4. Break it down (start small, step by step)
5. Get help (family, friends, prayer)
6. Take action (Just do it! Don't wait.)
7. Keep your goal alive (nurture it, feed it, make visual reminders, etc.)

Oh, back to the hoodie, my goal this semester (inspired by a certain someone) is to get a 4.0.  The last time I actually got a 4.0 was in high school I think.....This semester I'm taking 17 credits (which I also haven't done in awhile) and working 30 hours a week.  I realize that to some people this is nothing, but for me it will be a challenge.

Wish me luck! :)  And best wishes to you and your goal making.

Make 2010 the best ever!!

School Bum

"School Bum" could mean a few things.

• The ever increasing size of my bum because between sittin' at work, sittin' in school, sittin' during the commute to and from either of those, and sittin' doing homework, there's not much time left in the day to move around as much as I'd like.
• A term used to describe someone who hangs out at school a lot (doesn't fit me though)
• A term to describe someone who doesn't know what it's like to NOT be in school (well fine, I had a few breaks here and there...but that doesn't really count!

Well let's see...according to my rough calculations, I've been in the formal educational system for about 23 years!  And like the Energizer bunny, seems like I just keep going and going and going.... Not necessarily because I LOVE school (although don't get me wrong, I thoroughly LOVE to learn).  I wish I had made some goals sooner and stuck to them, but despite those times of aimless wandering through the college abyss, I can honestly say I've had some good, fun experiences along the way, met some great people, and learned a whole lot about myself.

Right now I'm in the process of getting my spring semester figured out.
The other day I met with my academic advisor, I declared my major and minor, and he helped me plan out the rest of my undergrad courses (yes!), projecting my graduation in spring or summer of 2012!  I'm excited to have that goal to work toward.  If I can manage a bigger load (which is tough sometimes having to work a certain amount of hours to keep my benefits like health insurance and tuition reduction), then I might be able to finish a couple semesters sooner.  I'll be plowing through these next two summers and I pray I won't burn out!  I just need to get done because the goal is grad school....another 2 years of that at least.  So I'm going to be like 30 something when I'm finally done!

So I'm looking at the courses and I have to take a class that fulfills an "International Requirement" (IR).  There's a World Music class which sounds like tons of fun (but it really has nothing to do with my major).  Another one I'm looking into is an International Children's Literature course which is totally up my alley since I LOVE children's books!  Again, not related to my major.  At all.  Sigh.  I keep looking and find a class that fulfills both an IR AND Quantitative something-or-other....JACKPOT!!!  It doesn't sound too bad.  It's called Population and Society .  Oh...and I just came across Language and Culture, a linguistics course.  Shoot, that sounds cool too.....There are just too many classes that sound enriching!  It's gonna be tough to make up my mind!