2015 :: Running to Honor our Heroes

Most of you know that I am a runner.  I ran my first "race" when I was probably 8 years old or so.  My Dad was a big runner and he got me into it at an early age.  I enjoy running because it's a physical, emotional, and mental release for me.  It also keeps me in relatively good shape and allows me to set goals for myself.

At the Runner's World Half Marathon in Bethlehem, PA

In 2013 I set a goal for myself: run a marathon.  In November, my older brother (slash trusty running partner) and I completed the Richmond Marathon.  It was one of the best runs of my life!

Richmond Marathon, November 2013

After that, running sort of got placed on the back burner because grad school and "life" became a first priority for me.  However, I have learned a lesson the hard way that my health and fitness cannot be put on the back burner.  I know that I deserved a little break after the marathon - especially because I hate running in the cold/snow, which is what we got that following winter - but I should have jumped right back into half marathons.
This all leads me to my new goal in 2015: run my second marathon. Even though I will be starting my first big girl full-time teaching job this fall, I have told myself that that is no excuse for not setting health and fitness goals for myself.  I need to learn how to balance my work life and my personal life.  I might as well start now.

When I got to thinking about what marathon I wanted to run, two came to mind.  The Richmond Marathon and the Marine Corps Marathon.  I loved running Richmond and told myself that I would love to do it again and try and improve my time on the course.  The MCM is appealing for two reasons.  The first being that it is the only marathon my Dad ever ran.  I have always wanted to run it because he has run it.  The second reason is that I love running in northern Virginia.  I have run a couple of races in various cities and have loved them all.  It's so gorgeous!
In the end, I chose to run the Marine Corps Marathon.  However, there's more. In case you aren't familiar, the MCM holds a lottery because it's extremely popular.  I entered the lottery earlier in March and later found out that I was not selected.  I was bummed and thought maybe that was a sign I shouldn't run it this year.

Next, I got on the MCM Facebook page and saw a mention of one of the charity partners, Fisher House, recruiting people who hadn't received a lottery spot.  I went to their website and read about their mission.  Fisher House has a network of housing locations across the nation where they offer free lodging for military families in order for them to be close to a loved one who is receiving treatment.  They also have a program called Hotels for Heroes, which is made possible by donated hotel points and provides free hotel lodging for military families, and Hero Miles, made possible by donated frequent flier miles and provides free airline tickets for military families traveling to be closer to their service member who is receiving treatment in another part of the country.

Long story short, I felt drawn to this cause and I wanted to help.  Yes, I was excited to learn that they still had spots available for their MCM team, but even more so I was excited about the opportunity to be able to run for more than myself and my own personal goals.  I will be fundraising and training for Team Fisher House and will make a difference for service members and their families.  I feel so lucky to have this opportunity and to combine my love of running with the chance to help others!
I would appreciate your support in helping me fundraise for Team Fisher House.
You can visit my personal page here!
I'll be following an 18 week plan by Hal Higdon starting in June.  Until then, pre-training begins! Wish me luck and thank you in advance for considering donating to my fundraising efforts!

2015 | Goals

2014 has come to an end and the time has certainly flown by!
Overall 2014 was a great year: - Steven started his masters degree in January at George Mason and this was our first year of a shorter long distance! With him being only 4 hours away it was much easier to visit each other, and for that I am very thankful. - In February, Blacksburg received about 20 inches of snow which closed school (and work for me - we are typically open on "regular" snow days) for several days! Needless to say we were stuck at home. - After winning the championship, Steev team went to the NCAA Division 1 Regionals in Houston, TX, which I had the opportunity to travel to and watch.  That was a great trip! - Steven and I were able to attend multiple sporting events this year, including a Flyers game, a Nats/Phillies game, an Eagles vs. Redskins game, the Army-Navy football game and more. - I had a great, although short, summer spent at the summer camp I work at with amazing friends and Steven even joined our staff this year! - Steven and I spent a week in D.C. in August, although it ended with him sick with tonsillitis :( - I started my FINAL semester of graduate school in August and looked forward to starting my student teaching - I completed my student teaching experience in 1st grade at a wonderful school here in Blacksburg and had an absolute ball! I miss my kiddos every day! - I graduated with my Master of Arts in Teaching in December and will be walking in May - I got offered a semi-long-term sub job on December 1st in 5th grade and have been enjoying that opportunity thoroughly!
We spent New Year's Eve in Downtown Blacksburg at one of our favorite restaurants and got to catch up with several high school friends. A perk to living in a small town!

lara casey

I have spent some of the last several days reflecting on what my goals for 2015 would be.  I have a feeling that 2015 will be a big year for me in terms of my "professional life" as I am beginning to put my application in for several school districts.  I also have the opportunity to move away from home and start living more independently. This year will be full of change, I am sure!
Once I knew Lara Casey's book, Make It Happen, was released, I knew this would be a perfect jumping off point to get me started on my 2015 goals.  I was struck by her message of living life on purpose and that is exactly what I want for 2015.  There has been a lot holding me back -- wanting things to be perfect...the fear of letting people down...the need for control and wanting to always have a plan -- and with this book I am learning to work through those things, let go & start living life on purpose.  Because that is what I need.
I decided to write down three goals in each of the following categories: personal, professional, health, financial, other.  I am not so keen on the word "resolution" and prefer the word "goal" instead. Here they are.
Personal: - Have me time - whatever that may mean // manicure? nap in the sun? - Live life on purpose // Lara Casey is my hero - Journal more // Including blogging, spiritual journaling with SRT, goals/thoughts
Professional: - Create a clean, crisp resume // One that I will be proud to share at job fairs - Accept a teaching job where I know I will be happy // Whether that is near or far - Be the best first year teacher I can be // I know this means I won't have a picture-perfect classroom, or perfect students, or a perfect stress-free start...it means I will do my best and know that that is enough.
Health: - Cut back on unnatural sugar // 2015 is about a clean slate, and a clean plate. - Create new running goals // More on this later...but I have high hopes. - Reduce my screen time // I want to live in my own moments instead of constantly flipping through pictures of other people's moments.
Financial: - Read through Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover // A Christmas gift from my brother that I am very thankful for - Start a savings plan // Start small, stay consistent - Say more "no" and less "yes" // I don't really neeeeeeed that top.
Other: - Knock some things off my bucket list or my 101 in 1001 list // 362 days ahead of me...let's go! - Travel somewhere new // Even if only for a day! - Participate in a challenge // wardrobe challenge? money challenge? blog challenge? Who knows!

Hoping and praying this is a year of happiness, success and living a life on purpose.
I will update as I work on completing my goals!
Happy New Year!

Happy March, Happy Lent

In like a lion, out like a lamb.   Boy do I hope that's true.  This March brought with it yet another snowstorm that had me stuck in Northern Virginia.  Not that I was complaining getting to spend an extra day with my boy, but I am sick of the snow.  Yep.  I said it.  SICK OF IT.  20 inches of it really did me in a couple weeks ago... I'm hoping we are done with the winter weather and heading towards spring.  My body needs some warm air & sunshine.  My body needs some short sleeve weather.  I'm tired of being cold & sleep.  Ya hear me?
Since it's March I am reflecting on my February goals & setting new ones for March.  Since it's Ash Wednesday, I am reflecting on the meaning and spirit of the Lenten season and what that means to me, and what I'm going to "do" for Lent.
{February Goals} 1. Update my computer. I updated to the next software pack that I had to order, BUT I also made a step in another direction and that is talking with my mom about getting a *NEW* Macbook! Stay tuned :) 2. Re-do my 101 in 1001 list. I finally thought of 101 things and here it is. 3. Run my 10-miler in under 1:45. Didn't happen because the race was postponed to last Sunday and I was out of town :( 4. Do something with my calligraphy. Didn't happen.  Life + school happened. 5. Label/bookplate my children's books. This one is mostly done. I used up all of the stickers that I had and they took care of my hardback books.  I'm thinking of getting a stamp (or just handwriting in them) but of course the OCD person inside of me is saying, "What about when you have a different last name??" So that makes me want to wait.  
{March Goals} My March goals will be centered around Lent.
{Lent} "We give up that which we do not need to live, to gain that which we cannot live without: more Jesus." That statement stuck with me today after reading day 1 of the Lenten plan with She Reads Truth.  They're doing a 4 part plan - fasting, repentance, meditation and confession - and I am committing myself to follow it.  That's one of my Lenten promises.  I will probably post thing here & on instagram if you want to follow along!

  Now, what am I "giving up" for Lent? Candy + Soda I'm guilty of having a big sweet tooth and a knack for grabbing a Coca Cola whenever one is available.  However, if I'm going to try and get/keep my body healthy, I need to be more conscientious about what I'm consuming.  Taking out candy & soda from my diet will definitely help reduce my sugar intake and will hopefully encourage me to drink more water, which will keep me better hydrated.  I'll still allow myself to have other drinks, just not straight up sodas.
What are some of your Lenten promises?
Happy Wednesday!

February Goals

I almost have to pinch myself. We finally have a NORMAL school day today since our second wave of the winter storm is all rain.  I can't tell you how thankful I was to go into work at 7 am and be able to leave at 8:30 when the littles went galloping down the hallway to their classrooms. It's time for some routine up in this joint.
We welcomed February this past (gloriously beautiful) weekend & with a new month comes new goals.  First, let's look back at January's goals:   1. Get ahead on my assignments. I would say I did pretty well with this because I don't feel "behind" quite yet.  I do feel overwhelmed by all there is to do, but at least I have started/prepared the tools I need for almost all my projects! 2. Finish The Rescue. This didn't happen.  School happened.  Oh well. 3. See a new movie. I saw Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Lone Survivor, and some movie that my mom was watching on TV. 4. Make 2 new clean recipes. Didn't happen.  Keeping this one on for February. 5. Take water to work every day. I did REALLY well with this.  I've been taking my little Nalgene type bottle that I got at the Austin Whole Foods with me and adding ice when I get to work.
Okay, so I didn't do too bad. January was a rough month with two weeks of wacky weather/no school.  I'm hoping February gets us all back on track!
February Goals: 1. Update my computer. It's ancient and needs some sort of snow leopard software? I think? Either way I can't update my phone anymore and it is super inconvenient. 2. Re-do my 101 in 1001 list. I don't know if this is cheating because I haven't reached the end date of my current list, but I am feeling really inspired to create a new list. 3. Run my 10-miler in under 1:45. Last year I was able to run it around 1:30, which is my "normal" ten miler time, but I have been out of the running zone since the marathon so I'm a little slower. 4. Do something with my calligraphy. I'm thinking create something to frame or gift or send to a friend. 5. Label/bookplate my children's books. I have a set of "this book belongs to..." stickers that I want to use, but I can also use my calligraphy or handwriting to label the others. I also want to make a "master list" of all the books I have!

Speaking of running, I have signed up for two 2014 races so far! Y'all can find me running the Blacksburg Classic 10-miler on the 15th and then at the end of March I'll be up in Richmond to run the Monument Ave 10K with a friend! I've adopted the "run for fun & to get a cool shirt" attitude.  I want to start doing races that I haven't done before, to say that I have.  I want to increase my race list (which you can see in my pages) this year with new ones! So far I believe I will have four new ones to add by NYE, including Monument Ave :) My local running club is doing a Grand Prix Race Series, which includes 7 local races and is sure to keep me up on my toes.  Blacksburg Classic is the first of the seven. I'll be sure to do race updates when I can! I've also picked up some workout classes - I tried Cardio Barre for the first time (and loved it) and have been going to Body Sculpting, which is tough but I feel great afterwards!

making things happen in 2014

I recently found inspiration from other bloggers to create a "making things happen in 2014" board on Pinterest.  This board can include quotes, pictures, videos - anything on Pinterest - that will motivate and inspire you to make things happen && do what matters in 2014.   Here's a sample of what's on my board:

I encourage you to visit Lara Casey's blog, if you haven't already, to get super inspired & get started on goal setting! And of course, Emily Ley is an awesome source of inspiration as well.   I encourage you, whether you have 2014 goals/resolutions or not, to create a board.  I've already found myself coming back to it just to read the quotes.  Mine is still a work in progress and I'm sure I'll be adding to it for the weeks and months to come!   Let me know if you follow me on Pinterest so I can follow your boards, too!

::Contentment Challenge::

Contentment.   Ever since doing some Instagram hopping - ya know how you're on one picture, and that takes you to another profile, and perhaps even another - and finding Dear Sweetheart Events, my heart and mind have been called to this challenge.   The Contentment Challenge is basically not buying anything unnecessary for 3 months. I am going to try my absolute best to keep up with this challenge the next three months.  I saw how fast the past three months flew by, so the next three won't be that hard, right?? I'm hoping this will create a lifestyle change for me. I need to teach myself to refrain from obnoxious Target purchases and trips to TJ Maxx "just to see what they have"...

Each month Kat is going to post a theme, a verse and a challenge to keep us motivated and occupied throughout the challenge This month's theme is simplicity.  It's time to realize that I am never going to be measured by my possessions.  Yes, it is fun to go out and raid the Target one spot & find cute new flats at Gap but does any of that stuff really matter?   Today, after work, I am going to work on my "do's and dont's" list -- basically what I find acceptable to purchase and what I am going to refrain from purchasing.  I am also going to write down 5 goals for January.
I'll share those with you tomorrow.   I encourage you to join myself and several other awesome women on this journey! Go check out Kat's blog where you can also find a link to a Facebook support group :) Also this post is really helpful. It's comforting to know I'm not alone in this -- I feel like I will be more likely to stick with it.   SO, here's to living life content with what I have, simplifying my life, doing what matters and knowing that there are other people out there who are living contently with much less than I have been blessed with.   Happy Thursday!

My 2014 Goals :: Overview

Whew! We are back from our trip to Austin, Texas. I will have more on that later, but for now I will tell you...I love Texas!   On Wednesday we will welcome a new year. 2014, if you can believe it. I have felt like 2013 flew by and I didn't have the chance to get done what needed to get done - or what I wanted done.  Or rather, if I did have the chance, I was mostly likely using that chance to celebrate something else, like graduating! Or getting into grad school! Or finally getting to go to the beach! All things that happened this past year.   2013 was very good to me, but I hope 2014 is even better. I want to spend 2014 working in more ways than one. I want to work to better myself, my relationships, and my habits.   I've thought a lot about what goals I want to put on paper, and here they are:

 I'll go into more detail at a later date.  Each of these are important to me and I hope I can find the strength to keep up.

What's a goal you have for 2014?

23.

I turn 23 today.

I've decided this is a strange birthday.  Up until now, birthdays have been pretty exciting.  Even 22 was exciting because I was able to jam out to the song "22" for days.
23 is a little less thrilling, but still exciting nonetheless.  Another year older is another year older.  I'm very thankful for what 22 brought me -- graduation & the start graduate school, continuing the job that I love, a much needed week at the beach, running 3 half marathons and 1 marathon, and many more blessings. I am excited to see what 23 has in store!   Yesterday I celebrated my birthday early with the 4th graders who surprised me with "pinkalicious" cupcakes and handmade cards. They were unbelievably awesome. Such a fun surprise (or as much of a surprise as 19 squirrely 9/10 year olds can keep)!   Today I'm going to have lunch with my mom and Steven's mom, go home and finish my last assignment of the semester, turn it in and then party with my pets. Birthday dinner this evening! Unfortunately Steven will celebrate with me from afar. Can you believe I haven't physically shared my birthday with him since I turned 18!? Gotta love that LDR.
To celebrate my 23rd birthday, I am making 23 goals for December: 1. Blog more. Today is my last day of classes for the semester! 2. Write a thank you note. 3. Bake cookies. 4. Wrap my presents. 5. Save my babysitting money in a jar for Austin. Leaving the 21st! 6. Take more naps. 7. Embrace my free time & read a book for fun. 8. Catch up on Ellen. 9. Make handmade gift tags. 10. Plan a craft night with Sara. 11. Help out a friend in need. 12. Bake a holiday treat for "my kids". 13. Have a Santa Clause movie marathon. I have the boxed set, so I'm ready. 14. Pack smart for Texas. 15. Cuddle with my dog & cat at every possible moment. 16. Go on a run. 17. Rearrange my room. 18. Order my textbooks for spring. 19. Complete a cross stitch. 20. Surprise Steven. 21. Go to church for advent. 22. Cut back on soda. 23. Hop back on She Reads Truth.

Obviously I am embracing all of my new free time with this list. I have off until the 6th of January. We'll see what I can do :)

Happy December, friends!

new year, new goals

I have set some goals for myself for the new year.  Yes, they are resolutions, but I prefer the word goal.

  1. I want to read 20 novels outside of school-related business. Right now I'm reading Catching Fire.
2. I know that graduate school is way more intense/more work than undergraduate and I want to go in with the mindset that after these next two years: it's big girl job time.  I really want to take my classes seriously and do as well as I can in them.
3. I've started doing She Reads Truth and I love it. I blogged about it on Friday and I just started the new plan: Fresh Start. Love it and I want to keep up with their plans so I can spend more time reading the Word and learning about God and what His plan is for me.
4. I've signed up for one half-marathon in March and I would like to do another in the late spring or (most likely) early fall. I miss running!
5. I am seriously going to work on a budget for myself so I stop living paycheck to paycheck.  This means I'm going to stop buying things that I don't really need. Each month I will pick one or two things that I will buy for myself and save the rest of my money for savings or special nights out.
6. I need to get into a workout routine this semester and use our awesome gym while I can still get in for free.  Whether this means getting up early or going after work in the evenings - I'm doing it! I actually love to workout, I just had no time last semester.  This spring, things are going to change and I would like to lose 10 lbs while I'm at it.
7. The backseat/trunk of my car always get messy from papers/trash/jackets.  I'm going to work hard to keep it clean and smelling fresh :) Same goes for my room -- I always try on 100 outfits each morning and whatever I don't wear gets thrown on the floor. NO MORE! Clean room = happy room = happy me
8. Negative Nancy - move aside.  I'm tired of dwelling on the negative side of things/people.  I'm going to work hard to find the optimism in every situation.  If I can't, then I'm going to bite my tongue and watch a Disney movie. Again, less stress = happy me.
9. I've seen so many snail mail writing goals over blogs and I am so ready to join in! I absolutely love stationary and have a huge notecard collection. I love to write letters! They are much more meaningful than an email. My goal is to write 52 letters - one every week.  If you'd like to receive a letter from me, leave me your email so I can get your address :)
10. Last semester, Sunday was usually my only day to sleep in and so I always skipped out on 8:45 mass.  I never even made it to the 11:30 because I was just plain lazy.  This semester I want to make it to mass each week physically possible.  If I miss the morning masses, I will try and go to mass on campus in the evening.  I've never been on campus but I have heard the priest at my church when he came as a guest and I really liked him.  I need to get over my awkwardness about going alone and just do it!

What are your 2013 goals? I'll try and do an update in June and see where I am with them! Happy Wednesday! :)

Summer Nights are Upon Us

It's official. I'm done with the semester!I still have work, but I love my job, so that's beside the point :)

Here are some goals for the next couple of weeks:
Get into a workout routineI've ran the past two days (about 3 miles each day) and I really want to keep that up. I know if I stop for a couple of days it'll be too easy to not start up again. I've picked out two half-marathons that I want to train for (one in the fall, one in the spring) so I think I better start moving! I also am going to add on some arm work - going to try something I found on Pinterest! Start a new book - or twoI love that I can read whatever I want during the summer and not have to worry about school readings! Right now I have lined up: The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks, Sunday at Tiffany's by James Patterson and The Shack by William P. Young. I love Sparks (emphasis on the love) and the second two were recommendations. I am open to others :) Let me know what you're reading! 
Get some colorI'm going to try and lay out/be outside as much as possible! One thing about me is: I do not do tanning beds. I prefer to lather on some sunscreen and tanning oil and go outside. I absolutely love laying out and getting in a few chapters of my book before work!
Spend lots of time with StevenSteven is coming home this week! Yayyy! He has to leave again (womp) on the 26th so you bet your bottom I'm going to be spending as much time with him as I can. It will be so nice to have more than just a weekend's time with him!  Good luck to everyone who is still taking finals and/or has graduation just up ahead!
Don't forget you have until Thursday to enter my giveaway!
Happy Monday!

Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog

Good evening, loves!

A couple of weeks ago a contributor at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance blog contacted me after seeing my Pinterest Bucket List post.

As some of you know (and the rest will know closer to our event when I do a post), I am very active in my university's Relay For Life chapter. I am all for doing whatever I can to help and support those who are suffering from cancer or those who have a loved one suffering from cancer. Part of our efforts also has to do with raising money for research to fight cancer, especially my committee - Fundraising! Most of you probably know this since Relay is all over the world! So, I'm always willing to do what I can to provide resources. I never know who is going to run across my blog & what their specific needs/wants may be.

Anyway, she has written this piece for me to share with my readers about how blogging can help you set & achieve your goals!

There are many times in a person's life where setting goals can provide the motivation and encouragement to move forward. For a lot of individuals, after receiving a negative prognosis for an illness like mesothelioma, breast cancer or even diabetes--one is left to manage their quality of life throughout treatment. Setting goals is harder to do that simply saying them out loud and hoping that they will come true. In order to achieve success and make progress with your goals, it is important to write them down, share them with others and receive encouragement and accountability. Blogging is often the solution to this problem. Blogging allows people of all ages, races, physical conditions and locations to communicate with one another to set goals and reach them. Here are just some of the many benefits of setting goals via a blog:

Allows for Expression: It can be hard for people to openly admit their goals and dreams to friends and family. Lofty ambitions might be hard to share with those close to you, especially if you are struggling with your health. However, an online blog is idea to write down your deepest dreams and ambitions.

Opportunities for Encouragement: With billions of people who use the Internet each day, there are countless potential opportunities for you to receive encouragement from other thanks to a blog. If you feel comfortable, you can even share your blog with friends and family. Often it is easier to let them see your goals in their own time and in private, where you might not feel judged. Blogs also allow new friends from around the world who may be in a similar situation to comment and leave encouraging words on each post that you write, which can be incredibly uplifting for anyone.

Get Advice: Thanks to the internet, it is possible to find other people going through the same situation. For some people, it can be enlightening to read of a person also going through a divorce, or cancer treatments, or even a job loss. You might even be able to learn something new about the situation from someone who already dealt with it in the past. Celebrate their successes while implementing what you learn into your own life.

Accountability: It is quite common to set goals as you enter a new year or even a new stage of life. Most goals, unfortunately, will be forgotten about a few weeks or months into the year. Hold yourself accountable to these goals by writing about them on your blog and sharing your progress weekly or perhaps monthly. Knowing that people look forward to your progress and results can force you to stick to your goals, whether they are creative, physical or mental.

Blogging is the perfect way to set goals and stick to them, thanks to the encouragement, accountability, advice and expression it allows.

Thank you Melanie for sharing this!

The link to the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog is listed with the rest of my favorite blog buttons!

If you or someone you know is in need of this resource, please follow the link to the blog! It has lots of helpful facts & figures.

I'll be back tomorrow with WILW!

Goodnight!

xoxo,

2012 Goals

First of all, I'm currently blogging from my Mom's new iMac! It's gorgeous. I am definitely an Apple girl...I love my macbook, love my iPod touch and love my new iPhone! I just love the technology & I've never had any problems (knock on wood) with any of the products.  By the way, thank you all for the phone advice earlier. I am loving the phone & encourage everyone to get one! Still on the hunt for a case, though...

Earlier this morning my Mom & I were chatting about how a lot of people are saying 2011 was a terrible year. This may be true for some, but I think I had a great year! However, I am ready to start fresh with 2012. To be honest, I was never one to write resolutions.  In fact, I don't remember ever sitting down and writing them.  Now that I'm 21, though, and feeling more like an "adult", I decided it was time. Here are some of my 2012 goals/resolutions!

1. Save/manage my money more effectively

I always seem to use every penny of every pay check.  This has got to stop! I'm going to graduate and have no money saved up - that would not be good.  There are also some big girls purchases I want to make in the future that I will need some money saved up.  I've decided to take my Mom's advice and set up automatic transfer at the beginning of every month so X amount of dollars will go into my savings account where I can't touch it!  I'm also going to set up a monthly budget so that when I get my paycheck & LOFT just happens to be having a sale I don't run & clear out the store!  Plus, like that quote says, I need to step back more and realize just how much I have and be thankful for it.

2. Plan [at least] 5 serious races / make time for exercise

By "serious" I mean I'm going to race, not jog.  In high school I ran cross country & track and I absolutely loved it.  Running is my favorite form of exercise, besides Jazzercise/Zumba.  Now that I'm in college, and have been for three years, I've been slacking when it comes to running. After a day of classes & work it's easier to settle in for the night with my homework instead of hitting the road for a run. I did run a half marathon during my freshman year and it was by far the best run of my life.  I want to get back to that point.  This year I plan to schedule a 5K, two 10Ks, a 10 miler, and a half-marathon.  I think I'll run the same half marathon that I did previously - it's in the Outer Banks. Anyone who likes running & lives on the east coast - I highly recommend this race! GORGEOUS setting, 99% flat and lots of fun! Usually ran in November.

3. Read more books

I love that Ashley & Crystal set up the book club because that will help me with this goal.  I want to read more books for me.  It's definitely more difficult to read during the semester when I should be reading my textbooks, but there isn't anyone stopping me from not sleeping in on Sundays and, instead, waking up to read! I think for this goal I might choose 15 books - one a month, plus an extra 3 during the summer.

4. Decide where I want to go to graduate school

Believe it or not, next fall I'm going to be a senior! CRAZY! That means one thing - more applications! My degree is going to be in Human Development with a Childhood & Adolescent Development concentration.  However, I am completing the classes necessary to enter an Elementary Education graduate program in the state of VA.  My school, unfortunately, does not offer the 5 year degree + licensure program.  Right now I'm thinking about applying to all the graduate programs in VA and then narrowing it down, rather than only applying to a couple. (I would love to not have to move though...so fingers are crossed for Tech & Radford!)

5. Keep my room clean

Not my desk, but I want mine that clean!

When I had three roommates who often were bouncing in and out of my room, I kept it pretty tidy.  This year, I have one roommate who I hardly see.  This, plus my schedule of late classes & busy football weekends, has resulted in one messy room! I hate it! Being in a cluttered space is very frustrating for me, but rather than take the time to really clean it up (which I figured was time I could be doing homework) I would just escape it to do work at Panera or at home.  This year I'm going to spend one hour - that's all it should take - each weekend to tidy up my room.  This also goes for laundry...I need to keep up so it doesn't pile!

6. PLAN, PLAN, PLAN

This goes for assignments, blogging, trips, meals, etc.  I'm a list-maker freak but I sometimes make too many lists.  I need to create a nice weekly spreadsheet separate from my agenda that includes everything I need/want to do each day.  I am going to start doing my assignments the day they are assigned, rather than the day or two before they are due.  I have fallen into this trap too many times.  I am going to start planning my blog posts for the week on Sunday that way I don't find myself sitting in front of my computer with writer's block.  I am going to plan out my trips to see Steven, my brothers, my Dad, etc ahead of time so I can make sure I'm caught up on work so that I can be on the trip stress-free.  However, in any schedule, you need to include time for people. I'm going to schedule in walks on the Huckleberry with Mom & Sadie!

7. Learn a better method of grocery shopping/meal planning/cooking for one

I live off-campus so I'm usually making myself breakfast, lunch and dinner unless it happens to be that I'm on campus with a break during one of those times.  This past semester was kind of rough - I was scrambling to find something quick for breakfast in order to catch the bus.  Lunch worked out pretty well, but cooking for one at dinner time proved to be difficult!  To be honest, I usually bought lots of Healthy Choice frozen meals since they are really easy to "make" - aka heat up in the microwave.  While they are good, for a frozen meal, not only were they getting a little too expensive but I started to get tired of them.  This year I'm going to do my research, talk to my Mom and actually plan meals (that I make) that are inexpensive, healthy and made for one.  If anyone has any tips on that, feel free to share :)

8. Go somewhere new

I love to travel, and although I know I'll have a busy spring semester & probably spend a lot of the summer working and watching baseball in Martinsville, I want to go somewhere I haven't been before! I've never been to Atlanta and my Mom has an Uncle that lives there who us begging us to visit. We are trying to plan a mid-May trip there :) On my list is to go to the aquarium & the Coca-Cola factory! Y'all know I love my Coca-Cola classic...

I want to thank all of my followers for a great year of blogging!

Cheers to 2012!

xoxo,