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...
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Simple gifts
Something that has been on my mind quite a bit lately has been my relationship with God and how I am maintaining that relationship. I am very much a believer in God and try to be a faithful woman and a "good" Catholic (whatever that really means). Attending church lately has been difficult because of Ben's insistence to not sit still and be as loud as possible...I don't blame him! When you are loud at Sacred Heart, there is an echo and it is pretty cool! So I have been trying not to get stressed out about the whole church thing and find other ways that I can be faithful and spiritual.
There are two things that I have heard recently that I have been trying to focus on. They are both simple and I think it is important for me to remember that:
1--Prayer is simple. This was the message from the visiting priest at church this past weekend. I never really remember the details of any homily, but the main point that I felt he was making on Sunday (or at least what I am taking away) is that prayer is not complicated. Prayer is nothing more than a conversation with God.
2--Doing good for others is doing good for God. This was the message that I took away from the priest at my mom and dad's church a few weeks ago. How simple is that!? Giving to others and doing good for others can be done in so many ways, and in doing so, we do good for God.
I know that some people would tell me that there are so many ways to be spiritual that don't involve going to church, and I believe them. However, I know that for me, going to church really adds to the physical part of my spirituality and faithfulness, so I enjoy going. I can definitely tell the times when I am not mindful about this aspect of my life. When I do keep it in the forefront of my mind, it seems like other things are more in line with what I would like them to be.
I know that continuing my faith journey as Ben gets older (and as I get older) will change and I have to be OK with that. Hopefully if I keep these two thoughts in my mind, I won't get bogged down with the larger concept of it all! I guess the thought of simplicity is something that could be applied to every aspect of my life. I don't need things to be complex or difficult to understand. And as one of my favorite church hymns reminds me, "tis a gift to be simple."
There are two things that I have heard recently that I have been trying to focus on. They are both simple and I think it is important for me to remember that:
1--Prayer is simple. This was the message from the visiting priest at church this past weekend. I never really remember the details of any homily, but the main point that I felt he was making on Sunday (or at least what I am taking away) is that prayer is not complicated. Prayer is nothing more than a conversation with God.
2--Doing good for others is doing good for God. This was the message that I took away from the priest at my mom and dad's church a few weeks ago. How simple is that!? Giving to others and doing good for others can be done in so many ways, and in doing so, we do good for God.
I know that some people would tell me that there are so many ways to be spiritual that don't involve going to church, and I believe them. However, I know that for me, going to church really adds to the physical part of my spirituality and faithfulness, so I enjoy going. I can definitely tell the times when I am not mindful about this aspect of my life. When I do keep it in the forefront of my mind, it seems like other things are more in line with what I would like them to be.
I know that continuing my faith journey as Ben gets older (and as I get older) will change and I have to be OK with that. Hopefully if I keep these two thoughts in my mind, I won't get bogged down with the larger concept of it all! I guess the thought of simplicity is something that could be applied to every aspect of my life. I don't need things to be complex or difficult to understand. And as one of my favorite church hymns reminds me, "tis a gift to be simple."
Thursday, July 22, 2010
One door closes and another one opens
OK, I can see how that blog post title could seem kind of ominous, but this post is not ominous at all!!! Just two things...I have finished one goal and I am going to try something new.
First: yesterday morning I reached my goal of running 100 miles this summer! I passed 100 miles yesterday morning with a simple three-miler. What an awesome feeling! I never thought I would be able to do something like that (see earlier post about being a wanna-be-runner). So now what? Of course, I am not just going to quit running. I think I am going to sign up for a 10K that will be here in Columbia in October. I am looking forward to running a race that distance. Another part of the RLAM book talks about running races and finding a good distance for yourself, etc...I have done some 5Ks and I enjoy those and I have finished two half-marathons (sounds nuts, huh?) and I think it is time that I try something between both of those distances. October 2 is when the race is and I think it will be a good one! Also, I got new running shoes! I have branched out and away from Asics and am trying out a pair of Nike Free Run+ in purple, lime green, and grey. So far so good and they are super cute!
Second: I have new challenge for myself. This morning at the gym I was catching up on the Manic Mommies podcast**. The topic that they were discussing was how many hours that are in one week (168 to be exact) and they interviewed the woman who wrote a book about this. One of the exercises that the author suggests is to keep a time log or diary. What I gathered is that according to her "research" there is plenty of time in a day/week to work and sleep and still have time to be with your children or whatever you want to do. After hearing all of this this morning, I decided that I am going to check this out. Starting on Sunday I am going to log my time and activities and at the end of the week, or 168 hours I will be able to see what I do with my time. I think this will also help in my search for what I want to do with myself. Maybe not. But I think it will definitely show where my time is spent and what my priorities are.
One more thing...a sorority sister of mine has started a new blog that focuses on positive body image. I have thoroughly enjoyed the posts and I hope you will too. Check it out: Channeling Your Beauty.
**Sometime in the near future there will be a post dedicated to this podcast/website. Keep your eyes peeled.
First: yesterday morning I reached my goal of running 100 miles this summer! I passed 100 miles yesterday morning with a simple three-miler. What an awesome feeling! I never thought I would be able to do something like that (see earlier post about being a wanna-be-runner). So now what? Of course, I am not just going to quit running. I think I am going to sign up for a 10K that will be here in Columbia in October. I am looking forward to running a race that distance. Another part of the RLAM book talks about running races and finding a good distance for yourself, etc...I have done some 5Ks and I enjoy those and I have finished two half-marathons (sounds nuts, huh?) and I think it is time that I try something between both of those distances. October 2 is when the race is and I think it will be a good one! Also, I got new running shoes! I have branched out and away from Asics and am trying out a pair of Nike Free Run+ in purple, lime green, and grey. So far so good and they are super cute!
Second: I have new challenge for myself. This morning at the gym I was catching up on the Manic Mommies podcast**. The topic that they were discussing was how many hours that are in one week (168 to be exact) and they interviewed the woman who wrote a book about this. One of the exercises that the author suggests is to keep a time log or diary. What I gathered is that according to her "research" there is plenty of time in a day/week to work and sleep and still have time to be with your children or whatever you want to do. After hearing all of this this morning, I decided that I am going to check this out. Starting on Sunday I am going to log my time and activities and at the end of the week, or 168 hours I will be able to see what I do with my time. I think this will also help in my search for what I want to do with myself. Maybe not. But I think it will definitely show where my time is spent and what my priorities are.
One more thing...a sorority sister of mine has started a new blog that focuses on positive body image. I have thoroughly enjoyed the posts and I hope you will too. Check it out: Channeling Your Beauty.
**Sometime in the near future there will be a post dedicated to this podcast/website. Keep your eyes peeled.
Monday, July 19, 2010
What is success?
As I wrote in my previous post, I know that I have to define what success is to me. This was a topic during one of the sessions at Convention last week and it has been a constant thought in my mind since then. Success is subjective for each person, but as a society, we put so much time into judging others' success. I think that is why it is so daunting to think about!
When I am online or at work or wherever, I feel like I am constantly seeing other individual's successes. At conferences, people are given awards and their success is shown. On TV and in the news, stories are told about people and what they have accomplished. All of these things make me want to do great things too...but I am getting hung up on what success I want? How do I make my own success? What does success even mean to me?
Being the "good" student affairs professional that I am, I have been trying to look at this from the "SMART" goal perspective. My thought process behind this is that if I can think of two or three goals that I have for myself, I can put them on paper and create a plan. Doing so will help me process a little easier this whole success concept, right? Not so much. I am still stuck! I can't even figure out what I want to do in order to write out some goals!
I don't know that I would call this a quarter-life crisis (although if I am just now only a quarter way through my life, I am OK with that...I have much more to see and do!). But I find myself really struggling with the question "where do you see yourself professionally and/or personally in 5 or 10 years?" I really have no clue.
I guess on one hand, I am happy with where I am now. But on the other hand I am getting fearful that I am being complacent and will wake up horribly unsatisfied one day. Maybe I am over-analyzing (my close friends would say I am good at that). But maybe not?
So for now I am going to focus on the little things: I am going to complete my 100 miles of running for the summer and try to blog two or three times a week. Eventually I will start thinking a little bit more of how I define my success AND how I am going to achieve it. How do I stay loyal to myself and what I want and not get caught up in what society says I should do?
We'll see how this plan goes.
When I am online or at work or wherever, I feel like I am constantly seeing other individual's successes. At conferences, people are given awards and their success is shown. On TV and in the news, stories are told about people and what they have accomplished. All of these things make me want to do great things too...but I am getting hung up on what success I want? How do I make my own success? What does success even mean to me?
Being the "good" student affairs professional that I am, I have been trying to look at this from the "SMART" goal perspective. My thought process behind this is that if I can think of two or three goals that I have for myself, I can put them on paper and create a plan. Doing so will help me process a little easier this whole success concept, right? Not so much. I am still stuck! I can't even figure out what I want to do in order to write out some goals!
I don't know that I would call this a quarter-life crisis (although if I am just now only a quarter way through my life, I am OK with that...I have much more to see and do!). But I find myself really struggling with the question "where do you see yourself professionally and/or personally in 5 or 10 years?" I really have no clue.
I guess on one hand, I am happy with where I am now. But on the other hand I am getting fearful that I am being complacent and will wake up horribly unsatisfied one day. Maybe I am over-analyzing (my close friends would say I am good at that). But maybe not?
So for now I am going to focus on the little things: I am going to complete my 100 miles of running for the summer and try to blog two or three times a week. Eventually I will start thinking a little bit more of how I define my success AND how I am going to achieve it. How do I stay loyal to myself and what I want and not get caught up in what society says I should do?
We'll see how this plan goes.
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