oh life...

So I thought I'd give you an update on how I'm doing on my goals.  Well.... truth be told, I'm doing horrible.  Here's the breakdown:

Socially:
-Take a vacation by myself. This doesn't necessarily mean I have to go alone... I just want my vacation to be about me. Do whatever I want. Not have to worry about anyone else. Right now my plan is to go to L.A./Santa Monica area. Beach. Warmth. City life. Somewhere new. I'm also leaning towards Portland/Seattle. (Yes, I realize those are not in the same state.) I would fly into Portland to visit my sister-in-law, then continue on up to Seattle for the main portion of my vacation.
**Well this isn't happening any time soon unless someone wants to make a donation - which are always welcome!!

-Set aside some of my monthly budget for "friend time." This includes going out to movies, dinner, etc.

**I'm succeeding at this!!  :)  I love spending time with my friends... they're the best!!

Financially:
-Pay off a student loan

 **I'm about $250 away from paying one off!!  Let's hope I can manage it soon!!

-Set and follow a monthly budget
**I've been doing fairly well with this.  I'm slowly getting ahead on my bills!!

-Purchase a new laptop (one that isn't 6 years old) :)

**I gotta get ahead in other financial areas first :(

Emotionally:
-Continue blogging once per week.  Eventually build up to 2+ times per week.
**Well obviously I've been keeping this up.  :)  Sometimes it's a little difficult to know what to write about though.....
-Get back into reading.  Set aside at least 30 minutes, 3 times a week to read a book that I enjoy; set aside 1-2 hours on the weekend to spend reading.
**With the past few weeks that I've had, I have been way too exhausted to read.  All last week I don't think I managed to get home before 7:00 and even then I spent the next 1-2 hours cleaning toys and trying to get that all finished before finally passing out between 8:30-9:00.  I rarely even ate dinner.

Physically:
-Start eating more veggies.  Eventually (by April 30th) eat the majority of my meals as veggies.
**I was doing great... but then I got sick and nothing sounded good.  Then I had the most stressful weeks of my life.  This week I'm really focusing and getting back on track.  Today for example, I had broccoli with popcorn seasoning.  :)  It. Was. De. Lish.
-Try more new foods.
**I'm trying!!  :)  I even managed to try some of Alex's guacamole at Chili's this past weekend.  It was ok... def not what I would choose for myself.
-Learn to cook/bake new dishes that are healthier for me. (If any of you have ideas, please pass them on to me!!)
**Umm this means that you have to have time to cook.  I haven't.  :(
-Start spending at least 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week working out.
**Past few weeks have been horrible.  Again, I was sick and so physically exhausted I could hardly stand to teach.  Then last week was so stressful and physically exhausting again.... and I literally had no time to run on the treadmill.  The plan is to start getting back on track in that area again this week as well.
-Complete the Couch to 5k program by June 30th. (I'm allowing the weather some time to warm up first).
**Ha Ha Ha...
-Cut down my caffeine (aka Mt. Dew) intake.  By March 31st - only drink soda at special occasions (going out to eat, parties, etc.)
**Ok so I was doing great with this.  Wasn't drinking ANY Mt. Dew.  Then Melissa gave me a can at gma's on Sunday.  I should've known then... that was just the beginning of the Worst. Week. Ever.  I've had probably 4 or 5 20 oz. bottles this week.  :(  But again... I'm back on track this week.
-Join a Zumba class. (If you know if any in the area that are reasonably priced and later in the evening, let me know!)
**Still have yet to find one during a time slot I could actually attend and I need to work it into my budget.

Spiritually:
-Read through the entire Bible by December 31st.
**I'm really far behind.  :(  Our wonderful church had a reading plan worked into the bulletin every week and that's what I've been following.  However, because I started late and have been so exhausted.... I'm still at the end of January.  I'm really focusing on making it a daily priority this week and I'm reading 2-3 days worth every day to hopefully get caught up soon.
-Spend time each morning reading devotions and spending time in reflection.
**See above.
-Sign up for another area of ministry at Grace Comm. Church.
**I'm still trying to figure out the area that I'm needed.  I would LOVE to volunteer for open gyms but unfortunately my worth schedule conflicts with every time of that.  :(
-Tithe 2 times a month (after each paycheck).
**I'm ashamed to say it, but I'm failing miserably in this area.  Especially since my "take home pay" has gone down about $30 per check.
-Share my faith more openly with people around me. Don't be afraid to talk about God and the blessings he has put in my life.
**I'm def working on it!!  I have so many things that I've been blessed with and I would love to share how much God's love has impacted my life recently.


Ok so I guess I'm not completely failing but sometimes I feel like I am... especially after a week like last week.  My eating schedule was WAY off... my energy level was nonexistent... it just made for poor choices.  However, I have managed to keep all the weight I've already lost off!!  I am even still losing weight!!  :)  So even though the past few weeks has been HORRIBLE... I think I'm still doing ok and making progress.  I'm determined to look FOT (LOL) this summer!!


FYI:  FOT = F**kin Hot (As opposed to FUGLY = F**kin Ugly)... I didn't come up with it.  It was not my idea.        ....but I kinda love it.  :)


Happy Monday!!