In Which there are Goals Part II

Dear Reader,

Yes, I have not been consistent. This will probably continue.

I have many events to record though, from the past week or so, thus there might be a slight increase in posts. I have filled up with family time, begun my last semester of my undergraduate career and received some exciting news which will most likely inspire several later posts.

For now, back to creating goals!

1. What is one specific area of progress you’d like to see this year in your financial health?

No more debt! And a healthy savings account. J
I can now proudly say that I got through college without any loans. I am on a payment plan for this semester, but I just need about $1,500 more pay it all off!

2. How is your current income? In what ways can you make this increase?

My current income will be drastically different next semester. I’m not worried. Grad school will more than double my current income. And TA stipends are not exactly luxurious, so that tells you something. ;)

3. How much debt do you have? In what ways can you eliminate a sizeable portion of it (or all of it) this year?

None! This will most likely change as I move out, etc.

4. How is your savings account? In what ways can you save more money this year?

Fairly good. School has pretty much cleaned me out, but I’ll build it back up. I just have to be careful with buying books. It’s my one weakness.*

1. What is one specific area of progress you’d like to see this year in your financial health?

Once,  I have a steady income, I want to create a budget. I’m so excited for this. It makes my nerdy heart happy already to think of the lists and spreadsheets I will be able to make.

6. Are you giving regularly? If not, in what way can you give financially this year?

I’ve given quite a bit for two years now and God has seen fit to bless me incredibly with this. I give mostly where I see need, specifically with people I know, so I don’t see this changing. However, I would like to continue sponsoring a child through Amazima. (great ministry, btw!)

7. What is your plan this month for starting progress towards better financial health?

No plan, except spend little and save much.

1. In what ways would you like to grow in your relationships outside the family?

I would like to intentionally connect with friends that I don’t see that often. Phone calls, texts and Skype can make this possible.

With people I see more often, I want to be intentional about listening to them and putting people first even before grades. I tried this last semester and I think it really works.

2. What are some ways you can be of service to your immediate community?

Honestly, I know I will be stretched very thin this semester. And I have no idea what next semester will bring. So summer it is. Perhaps I can do some volunteering.

3. Who are some specific people in your life that can use some encouragement? What will you do to encourage them this year?

No names. I need to create code names for some people.  But yes, there are people that I want to pour into because they have helped and supported and encouraged me so much.

4. Who are some people in your life that you admire? What are some practical ways you can positively use their influence in your life?

Some excellent professors, some grad students that are friends, and some others. See above why they are amazing. I think to use their influence, I need to keep these connections strong and not let them weaken or disappear simply because I don’t see them as often.

And there you have it! Some excellent goals which I have already failed at. But there are new mercies every morning and Hallelujah for that!

*Guess that reference!

In Which There Are Goals!

Dear Reader,

This is a continuation of the last post’s reflections. But this time, I get to look forward to this year! I’m even more scared of this year and yet still very excited! I know some huge changes are coming and while I’m not the best at dealing with change, I know it will be good. This time next year will be completely different!

I. Personal Growth

1. What healthy character traits would you like to see developed in your life this year? What are some specific steps you can take to develop these?

I would like to be better at dealing with change. I know that I’ll have plenty of practice, so I want to be able to look it in the eye and keep going, no matter how scared I am.

On the same note, I want to be better at giving my worries the time they deserve. Pretty much none.

I know that this isn’t impossible and it will be a gradual change. I’m still creating my game plan on how to tackle this, but I know writing my feelings out and dancing help when I’m in the midst of change. I’ll continue doing those. I need to give myself more time to acclimate to change. I need to set aside time for me to relax and enjoy each moment. I need to get a lot better about not procrastinating so I have time for that too.


2. What is your plan for maintaining accountability for progressing in personal growth?

Documenting it first. If I know I have to write it down, I’ll be more apt to try a little harder. Maybe talking with a few people to see if we can keep each other accountable for this. I’m not good in this area though. The easiest person to choose is my sister and she’ll let stuff go. Finding that person will be the first step.

3. What are some of your learning goals for this year?

Yay! I’m graduating this year and starting grad school so educationally I will be learning a lot. More specifically, I want to learn better time management and organization in general. (You should see my paper piles…)

But learning-wise: I want to better learn how to write a journal article.

I want to learn how to use at least two more instruments in the Dept. (I’m hoping for the ICP-MS and maybe another MS. And if I was reaching for the stars, then the NMR.)

I want to better learn how to manage a classroom of college students and effectively teach them.

I want to be able to do two fouettés en pointe.

I want to be able to do the splits again.

4. What books would you like to read this year?

I want to read 52 books. I’m already 1 book down!

“The Applewhites at Wit’s End”.

(Sidenote: Most of the books I’ve read and will read are more children’s books or nonfiction. I’m just not a big fan of dragons, ghosts, multiple romances, or vampires (teen section) or all the violence/traumatic events/inappropriate stuff that oozes out of the adult section. This will probably never change. I’m okay with that. I do want to start reading more “adult-level” books though. You can only stand so many subject-verb sentences with predictable outcomes.)

a. Invincible Louisa: The Story of the Author of Little Women (Cornelia Meigs)

b. When Patty Went to College (Jean Webster)

c. The Screwtape Letters (C.S. Lewis)

d. Whose Body {Or one of the Peter Wimsey mysteries)} (Dorothy Sayers)

e. A Brief History of Montmaray (Michelle Cooper )

f. The Road from Home: A True Story of Courage, Survival, and Hope (David Kherdian)

g. Something else by Ray Bradbury

h. Something else by Gloria Whelan

i. Confessions of a Tax Collector: One Man's Tour of Duty Inside the IRS (Rick Yancey )

j. School of Dreams: Making the Grade at a Top American High School (Edward Humes)

k. The Bomb (Theodore Taylor)

l. Parallel Journeys (Eleanor Ayer)

m. Winter’s Season: A dancer’s journal  (Toni Bentley)

n. Tested: One American school struggles to make the grade ( Linda Perstein)

o. Ballet Shoes for Anna (Noel Streatfield)

p. Periodic Tales (Hugh Aldersey-Williams)

q. Fat Envelope Frenzy: One Year, Five Promising Students, and the Pursuit of the Ivy League Prize ( Joie Jager-hyman)

r. Good Wives (Louisa May Alcott )

s. Love in a Time of Homeschooling: A Mother and Daughter's Uncommon Year (Laura Brodie)

t. A dream of Sadler’s Wells (Lorna Hill)

u. Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses (Richard Arum)

v. Something else by Donna Jo Napoli

w. General Chemistry (Linus Pauling)

x. 1984 (George Orwell) and/or Animal Farm

y. The Lost Prince ( Frances Hodgson Burnett)

z. For the Love of Physics  ( Walter Lewin)

There! I’m more than halfway on the list I want to read!

5. Do you enjoy your job or jobs? If so, what are your favorite things about your work? If not, what are some ways you can change this?

I love what I’m doing. The two jobs that were draining my energy the most and not giving up enough rewards are not being cut back. I’ll be TA.ing more and I get to be in the lab more! It can’t get better than that!

Just think. I will literally have at least 24 hours in the lab a week. At least.

II. Physical Health

1. What is one area of progress you’d like to see this year for maintaining or improving your physical health?

I would like to get better about exercising and eating better. Ugh. So vague.

2. What are some tangible, daily choices you can add to your life that will improve your health?

This question is better. I want to choose fruit and healthy protein over ramen and candy this year. I want to get better about taking lunches. I practically have my own frig. I should take advantage of this!

Also, I want to exercise (moderately) at least 15 minutes a day. Walking on Mondays and Wednesdays. Dance on Mondays and Thursdays (hopefully). Arm and calf exercises in the lab. Warm up every morning. And stretches at night. If I create a schedule, I do better. I might even put alarms on my phone.

3. In what way would you like to be physically healthier by December of this year?

I want to be more flexible and stronger. This is pretty easy to gauge when I dance.

I also would like to lose some weight, but that will happen of its own accord. Actually I’m not really bothered by the number on the scale, I just don’t like to see muscles atrophying before my eyes. (ugh. What a mental picture. I’m not that bad!)

4. What is your plan this month for starting this progress towards a healthier you?

Setting alarms. Writing it down. Giving myself rewards when I get to the end of a successful week.

III. Family Life

(Side-note: I skipped a few questions because they didn’t apply J )

5. What will deliberate, regular family time look like this year?

Intentionally getting off the computer/book/phone/out of my room and spending time with my wonderful family. Even if it means watching the umpteenth episode of Petticoat Junction or finishing an impossible puzzle.

6. Do you have specific planned vacation time in mind for this year? What needs to happen to make this vacation a reality?

I will have a summer free from school and work for the first time literally since I started school. Will I really be school and work free? No, probably not. But I plan on enjoying myself and making plans to visit people before I start grad school.

I’m going to stop here and answer the rest another day. See you then!

In Which the Author Reflects

Dear Reader, 

My last post was somewhat of a downer.  Hopefully, my next few posts will make up for that. I've always wanted to do New Year Resolutions, but having that blank page in front of me is daunting and I'm really good at making excuses. Really good. 

I'm going to try something new this year and answer questions that one of my favorite bloggers, alis grave nil, has been doing for past five years or so.  So here's to reflection... 

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

Okay, stuck on number 1. Not a good sign. I had some amazing things happen...
I think I have to say surviving this year is the best thing that happened. This year was not easy and the fact I got alive, sane (mostly) and still with family and friends who talk to me is a win worth celebrating. 

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

Getting through two of the toughest semesters of my life. With "that one professor" and "that one class" and "all those jobs", I'm glad I finished. period. Icing on the cake is that I still have a GPA worth something and that I didn't cause too much chaos in the Chem Dept.  

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?

Being a Lab TA!! I loved all of my 14 crazy wonderful students. And they all passed! 
Also getting a carpool buddy who is now an awesome friend. I'm so grateful for all the adventures we had together. 

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?

Having to fight for two of my classes for this semester. I thought being in such a small dept, I wouldn’t have that problem. Turns out there’s such a thing as too small. But on the upside, it will be like one-on-one time with the professor! And no, I’m not being sarcastic. I love small classes. I’m selfish like that.

5. Pick three words to describe this past year.
Anxious. Patience. Surprises.
6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your year—don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you. (If you’re not married, have fun guessing the answers from other friends and family, or just skip this question.)
I’m choosing my dear sister.
Busy. School. Work.
7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their year—again, without asking.
College. Music. New.
8. What were the best books you read this year?
Re-reading all the Agatha Christies. Best mysteries ever!
Books by Elizabeth Elliot. Intense.


Airborn Series by Matt Cruse
The Enchanted Castle by E. Nesbit
First Light by Rebecca Stead
There’s more, but I’m terrible at writing down titles.
9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
My sister. She has continually surprised me with her wisdom even if she is younger. ;) She’s growing up and I’m learning to trust her with her decisions.
MGS (the grad student I work with). He is a huge part of why I’m still in school and why research is still by far my favorite class every semester. Smart, funny and a good friend.
MCB (my carpool buddy). She is incredible and I love that we encourage each other and push each other to do better in school and in life.
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
I’m more confrontational. And that’s a good thing. I’m normally a “good girl”. A straight A student. A total people pleaser. I avoid conflict like it’s my job. But this year didn’t let me do this. I had  to confront people. For my education. For my jobs. For my sanity and success. And it felt good most of the time.
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
I’m learning to deal with anxiety and fear better. I’m learning not to let my emotions control me.
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
The last one and this one go hand in hand. I’ve learned that if I ask, I will receive. I’ve received peace and relief from fear seconds after I ask. I’ve been given opportunities to share what I believe. And I’ve found a group of people I feel safe with to be a little more real.
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
Eh, not so much in this area.
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
Getting to know people better. Intentionally pursuing that too, has been a theme throughout the year. It’s been good. I’m a lot more comfortable with my people now. Not to mention, I have people!
15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
Research hands down. Obviously. And teaching lab. Those moments when everything clicks, whether it’s me or someone else, are literally the best .
16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
Motivation. Procrastination was at the top of it’s game this year. Wanting to do well.
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
Worrying. Especially about things I can’t control or can’t do anything about. It’s so silly.
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
Getting to know people. Putting people first this year has really taught me that grades and all that don’t matter as much if you don’t have anyone to celebrate with you when you’re done.
19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?
If God wants it done, it will be done. And no worrying about it will help.
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes this past year for you.
This isn’t mine, but’s it is very descriptive of my year.
“Life’s hard. God is good. Let’s dance”

(My next post will be about this year! 2014!! This is going to be a great year!)