Last week I turned 29 years old. It is hard to believe that I am starting the last year of my twenties. I have never been one of those people who gets anxious about getting older. In fact, I still feel as young as I did when I graduated high school...well, maybe college. Either way, I don't feel as though I am old enough to be 29!
I think that part of what keeps me feeling young is my job. I work on a college campus and have daily interaction with students so for the most part I find it pretty easy to not feel "old". I am in on the latest pop culture (writing that makes me sound like I am 82!) and I know odd little phrases like "tots presh" (totally precious). I feel pretty good about my age, with the exception of when I hear that they were born in a different decade than me...that makes me realize that I am older than them, but still not in a bad way. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind my age at all and I would NEVER go back to do it over again. It is nice that my job helps to keep me feeling this way.
There are some downsides to this however. The one area of my life where I wish I felt or seemed older than I do is when it comes to being a mom. I don't feel old enough to be a mom; how can I possibly have a son who is almost 18 months old!?! The two times in my life where I feel like this is rubbed in my face is at the baby sitter's house and at church. I know I need to just quit thinking/worrying about what others think of me. In reality, they probably don't pay too much attention to what I am doing (I really do know that in my head), but I feel like they are looking at me like I am one of those girls on MTVs "Teen Mom". Crazy huh!?
So, all of that being said, I am excited for this next year. Who knows what it will bring! I am still working on that whole thing of what I would like to accomplish and I did set one pretty big goal for my 29th year. I want to research furthering my education and have a plan by the end of this year. I don't know what that might entail, but I am going to figure it out. Happy Birthday to me!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Motivated! Motivated! Let's Get Motivated!!!
Sorority Recruitment is right around the corner at Mizzou! This is one of the busiest times of the year for me at work, but it is also one of my favorites. This week ("work week") and next week, which is actually Recruitment week are unlike any other times during the year. I really like doing all of the logistical work in planning and preparing for an event for over 4000 people, but mostly I love the idea that next weekend, young women who are coming to college for the first time will be finding their forever "home" in a sorority.
I have many memories of the 10+ recruitments that I have been a part of. But there is one that stands out quite vividly in my mind, especially during this time of the year. I was attending the Panhellenic Welcome at Truman State University in September of 2000. I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into. But I will never forget hearing Sal Costa talk about what sorority could bring to a student. He passionately talked about how the women we would be meeting (as potential members) would be the bridesmaids at our weddings and the Godmothers of our unborn children (typing this does not give it the justice his voice deserves and that I have in my mind!). I was more than a little overwhelmed at the time, but looking back now, I know it is true. I wish that I could convey this (in a not scary way) to the women who are starting the same process on Sunday at the University of Missouri. Sorority is not a four year club, it is a lifetime commitment.
On another note...I am finding it hard to continue to be motivated in my work-out goals. Part of this problem is that I am taking a time-out from running. Partially because I just wasn't feeling it and also because I am having some issues with my ankle. So I am on hiatus. I have still been going to the gym to get in some good cardio and I have also been doing the 30 Day Shred (2 days on, 1 day off). I am seeing results, but I am not too interested in continuing. So in honor of recruitment practice and meetings, I am reminding myself to Get Motivated! and Get Dedicated! Hopefully this little mantra will get me through this tough time too!
I have many memories of the 10+ recruitments that I have been a part of. But there is one that stands out quite vividly in my mind, especially during this time of the year. I was attending the Panhellenic Welcome at Truman State University in September of 2000. I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into. But I will never forget hearing Sal Costa talk about what sorority could bring to a student. He passionately talked about how the women we would be meeting (as potential members) would be the bridesmaids at our weddings and the Godmothers of our unborn children (typing this does not give it the justice his voice deserves and that I have in my mind!). I was more than a little overwhelmed at the time, but looking back now, I know it is true. I wish that I could convey this (in a not scary way) to the women who are starting the same process on Sunday at the University of Missouri. Sorority is not a four year club, it is a lifetime commitment.
On another note...I am finding it hard to continue to be motivated in my work-out goals. Part of this problem is that I am taking a time-out from running. Partially because I just wasn't feeling it and also because I am having some issues with my ankle. So I am on hiatus. I have still been going to the gym to get in some good cardio and I have also been doing the 30 Day Shred (2 days on, 1 day off). I am seeing results, but I am not too interested in continuing. So in honor of recruitment practice and meetings, I am reminding myself to Get Motivated! and Get Dedicated! Hopefully this little mantra will get me through this tough time too!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Election Day
I wasn't planning on posting for a few days, but I was very moved to write after I went to vote this afternoon. I have always tried to make it a priority to vote on any election and when I do vote (which is most of the time) I feel so empowered afterwards. I know it might seem cheesy, but what a wonderful responsibility we have to be able to vote.
Although I believe it is a responsibility for Americans to vote, I believe that it is very much a privelege and I think that we are very lucky to have this responsibility. I think this is also very important to me because I am a woman and women's issues are of regular interest to me both personally and professionally. I am reading a book right now called "Half the Sky". It is about the many areas of the world where women are oppressed and abused, and worse. I came upon the book through a new group that I joined on Facebook called the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation. Reading the book makes me realize even more how much of a responsibility that I have to stand up for what is right and to teach other women that they can do it too. As the book discusses and the Circle of Sisterhood advocates, education can make big changes in the world. I am excited about the good that I know I can do in the near and far future.
Speaking of empowerment...I completed my first day of 30 Day Shred for August. It was the first time I did the workout in a month. It felt so good to sweat...a lot! I love it! I decided that I am going to do 30DS two nights on and one night off. We'll see how it goes. I am excited for my August physical well-being goals. I think the better I feel about myself, the more motivated I am to do good for others. Also, I added the DailyMile widget to my blog to hold myself accountable to my milage goals. Here's to August!
Although I believe it is a responsibility for Americans to vote, I believe that it is very much a privelege and I think that we are very lucky to have this responsibility. I think this is also very important to me because I am a woman and women's issues are of regular interest to me both personally and professionally. I am reading a book right now called "Half the Sky". It is about the many areas of the world where women are oppressed and abused, and worse. I came upon the book through a new group that I joined on Facebook called the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation. Reading the book makes me realize even more how much of a responsibility that I have to stand up for what is right and to teach other women that they can do it too. As the book discusses and the Circle of Sisterhood advocates, education can make big changes in the world. I am excited about the good that I know I can do in the near and far future.
Speaking of empowerment...I completed my first day of 30 Day Shred for August. It was the first time I did the workout in a month. It felt so good to sweat...a lot! I love it! I decided that I am going to do 30DS two nights on and one night off. We'll see how it goes. I am excited for my August physical well-being goals. I think the better I feel about myself, the more motivated I am to do good for others. Also, I added the DailyMile widget to my blog to hold myself accountable to my milage goals. Here's to August!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Time keeps on ticking...
In my post two weeks ago I challenged myself to keeping a time log for one week or 168 hours. So, I did it this past week. From 12:00am Sunday, July 25 to 11:59pm Saturday, July 30. This was an interesting project, to say the least; I had to really remind myself to keep track of my goings-on. I was curious as to what this log would show: did I sleep more than I really needed? how much time did I really waste in the evenings? So here is what I found out:
--I only sleep about 7 hours in a night (unless I fall asleep on the couch earlier). I had always guessed incorrectly at my normal sleeping habits, placing myself more in the 8-9 hours of sleep/night. That might happen on the weekend, but during the week I am in the 7 hour range. I can handle that!
--My time at work was pretty simple. I worked 8 hours a day, five days a week. A quick and dirty 40 hours, if you will. That is not the norm for me. So, it would be interesting (I think) to see how different this part of the log would be if I were to do this in say, October.
--My life is such a routine! Everyday during the work week, I woke up at pretty much the same time, had dinner at the same time, gave Ben and bath and put him to bed at the same time and pretty much always went to bed myself at the same time. I guess you could call me a creature of habit. I like it!
All in all, I was glad to have done this little exercise. There were a few little surprises, but nothing earth-shattering, that is for sure. I might take this little challenge again in a few months when work and life is in full swing.
On another note...since I reached my goal of 100 miles, I have been trying to figure out which direction I wanted to go in terms of my physical well-being. So, here is my new challenge:
1--run 50 miles in August
2--do my 30 Day Shred DVD at least 3 times/week
I am going to have to really stay motivated this month. August is one of my favorite, yet busiest times at work. Recruitment takes up most of my time so I will need to hold myself accountable. I think I can do it! Only time will tell...
--I only sleep about 7 hours in a night (unless I fall asleep on the couch earlier). I had always guessed incorrectly at my normal sleeping habits, placing myself more in the 8-9 hours of sleep/night. That might happen on the weekend, but during the week I am in the 7 hour range. I can handle that!
--My time at work was pretty simple. I worked 8 hours a day, five days a week. A quick and dirty 40 hours, if you will. That is not the norm for me. So, it would be interesting (I think) to see how different this part of the log would be if I were to do this in say, October.
--My life is such a routine! Everyday during the work week, I woke up at pretty much the same time, had dinner at the same time, gave Ben and bath and put him to bed at the same time and pretty much always went to bed myself at the same time. I guess you could call me a creature of habit. I like it!
All in all, I was glad to have done this little exercise. There were a few little surprises, but nothing earth-shattering, that is for sure. I might take this little challenge again in a few months when work and life is in full swing.
On another note...since I reached my goal of 100 miles, I have been trying to figure out which direction I wanted to go in terms of my physical well-being. So, here is my new challenge:
1--run 50 miles in August
2--do my 30 Day Shred DVD at least 3 times/week
I am going to have to really stay motivated this month. August is one of my favorite, yet busiest times at work. Recruitment takes up most of my time so I will need to hold myself accountable. I think I can do it! Only time will tell...
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