2011 In Review

I remember when I was younger and complaining to my Dad that years took too long to pass. He informed me that as I grew older, years would pass much quicker.

Well, it is true. This year has just flown by. It did not go how I planned it to go at all. But, I am happy with where Chris and I are at right now.

Some of the years accomplishments:

1. Chris and I both have jobs that don't feel like jobs. Teaching is hard, getting up early is hard but when I am at work I don't feel like I am at work. I enjoy what I do and feel like I am doing something great. Plus we have benefits.

2. I read/listened to 47 books this year. Which was 11 more than my goal.

3. I didn't lose any weight, but I didn't gain any either. Which I am surprisingly okay with.

4. I did take at least 52 good pictures this year.

5. We went to the temple at least once a month.

6. Eventually 80% of my student passed the TAKS test. Not 85%, but still okay.

7. We ate out less, we aren't putting ourselves into any debt, and we are continuing to be awesome.

Books

With everything I have to do to keep on top of my job, I have still made sure I have time for reading.

And because of that, I have reached my goal to read 35 books this year. And it is only October!

I have actually read 37 books.

If it hasn't been apparent to anyone, I love to read. And with all the stress I have to deal with lately, it is a nice escape. I will not neglect that hobby.

I wish I could say that I was going to write more. But... all I think about is education and school and teaching. And I know I bore some people with how much I talk about it. I could practically go on all day about it.

But, possible I'll write some book reviews.

Resolution Time Again

I am big on resolutions. I know some people think they are pointless, but I really like trying to set them. I know I always set too much. But this way, I can weed out the ones I don't really want to do, or change my mind about.

Here is my list:

1. Run a mile in under 10 minutes
2. Work out 3 times a week and lose 15 pounds
3. Spend 1 hour a week on family history
4. Read/Listen to 35 books
5. Have all my students pass the TAKS test (or at least 85% in each group)
6. Try 52 new recipes and take 52 good photographs

Look, I narrowed it down to 6! With only a little cheating. 

Resolution Assessment

Two months down already. I feel like time is moving faster. But here is an update on some of my resolutions.

1. I read 7 books this month. I am back on track to read 40 books this year.

2. I lost 10 inches, 6 pounds and worked out 19 times in February.

3. I made a present for someone's birthday. (Chris's sister's birthday is on Thursday, so I can't tell what it is yet.)

4. I think I cooked at least 4 new recipes this month. I did at least 3.

5. I am practicing a song to play with our ward choir. I am kind of scared to play with other people singing, but I am trying my hardest.

6. I got two jobs. I turned one down and decided to sub as much as I can so I can get my foot in the door and get a teaching job. So far, my first subbing experience will be on Thursday and Friday. Hopefully I like it.

Resolution Status

I need someone to report to when it comes to my resolutions. So, thanks for being that someone.

1. Working Out: I started late in January, but I started. For the last two weeks I exercised 4 and 5 times a week. Um, yeah, I did that. It took me forever (read: 2 weeks) to actually convince myself to get up and do it. But I did, and I am not stopping. I hate thinking that if I had just started doing this consistently 6 months ago, I would be where I want.

2. Cooking/Not eating out: I did try 4 new recipes this month and ate out considerably less. I don't know if it was less than twice a week, but it was close. Living in a place with very few restaurant choices helps that.

3. I did make a present. But it wasn't for Christmas. It was for a reception my parents went to. I did decide on what present to make for someone, but I can't do that until the end of the year.

4. We went to the temple this month. I almost went twice, but I thought my recommend was in the car which I didn't have. So I sent my family without me. Turns out it was somewhere else all along and I could've gone. Thankfully, the temple is still there.

5. And we made a dent in our debt. Did you know you can write off a move if it is job related? Well, thanks to a tax return, we can continue to make dents in debt. We have really been watching our spending. It is hard, especially since I want a new digital camera, but we are doing it.

6. Piano- I play piano every week in church. Not as a solo though. Just in primary. However, it is helping me get back into practicing and being more comfortable playing in front of others.

This month- the working out will continue (1 down, 19 to go). I want to try new recipes, including a couple from The Pioneer Woman, go to our podunk library and check out books, and other stuff. February will be better than January.

2010 Resolutions

It's that time of year again. I didn't get all my resolutions from 2009 done, but I made good progress and actually switched some of them around. I have basically doubled the number this year and I have made myself a calendar so I can get them all done. Here are just some of them.

1. Write in a scripture journal everyday
2. Exercise 4 times a week
3. Cook a new recipe every week
4. Read or listen to 40 books
5. Make some presents for next Christmas
6. Buy a house
7. Play a piano solo in sacrament
8. Get better at photography and elements
9. Lose xx pounds
10. Cook dinner 5 times a week

All of these things are doable. I am very excited to get started.