September Ambitions

 

Though my to-do list overfloweth, this Tuesday has led me to a quiet night alone in our apartment, a sleepy dog that for once isn't threatening the neighbors, and a very large pour of wine because the bottle wasn't full enough to justify leaving it for another night. I've set my timer and allotted myself thirty minutes to indulge my blogging self for a bit. It's been a while! This marks my eighth post in all of 2022, and we find ourselves in the very beginning of September (though my calendar already says the 13th. weird). But a September feeling is certainly in the air...I'm starting to crave baking and cozy nights in, the only recently bought six-packs have all been pumpkin themed, and we find ourselves buckling down with a renewed focus to just get things done. 

Specifically, Chris and I are now panic-planning the last details of our wedding, which is now a whopping 3.5 weeks away. I have a lot to say about planning a wedding, chiefly that I am excited,  I've never been more ashamed of my procrastinator tendencies, this is going to be a hell of a party, I will certainly never do something like this ever again, and I cannot wait to get to the day and be wearing my awesome shoes and surrounded by friends and drinking a butternut squash martini and BE MARRIED!

The rest of this year is gearing up to be a whirlwind. Wedding weekend leads us into two weeks of road tripping for our honeymoon. Two days after we get home I fly out to an ice show through the rest of the year! Busy, busy, busy, but all I want to do right now is soak every single moment in. This year has gone by so fast and I just want to keep treasuring and holding all these moments. 

Here are some of my September ambitions (and some bonus for the rest of the year). 

>> Workout every single day before the wedding! Because otherwise I will go completely insane. We're dealing with things as they come up and making sure we're going in with some clarity. 

>> Not running around for work, but instead focusing my time and attention on my core skaters. I want to make sure I leave everyone for a bit with goals checked off, strong programs choreographed, sub coaches updated, and everyone feeling good. 

>> Walk into the week of the wedding with the most organized set of spreadsheets, week of timeline, and wedding binder I can manage. I've been a hot mess through most of this but we're going to nail that. 

>> Send out Christmas cards! I love Christmas cards and sending out our first Christmas cards as a married couple is something I am looking forward to literally so much. Can't wait. 

>> Make the best scrapbook of our honeymoon!

>> Read so many library books!

>> Soak up every single moment with family, friends, and Chris over these hectic weeks.

Audition Video Progress

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Over the years, I've talked a lot about my ultimate, dream goal: to work for a professional skating company, like Disney on Ice or Willy Bietak. That dream has gone through many stages. There was the the shiny-eyed stage at 13, when getting in seemed so attainable for my future adult self. This was followed by the complete inadequacy stage of about 18, when graduation was just around the corner and I felt like I'd fooled myself into believing show skating was an option. This led into the desperation stage of 19, where I tried to put myself out there (and took some huge steps!) but was so nervous that I couldn't count on myself to really perform well.

But now, I think I've entered the courage stage. I'm 20 years-old, and feel very at peace with my skating. I will always want to be better, and strive to be better, but I'm not letting that want distract me from all the things I can currently do. I'm being more professional with how I approach getting a show job, but I've also switched my mindset so that now, I'm doing it for me. Even if nothing ever comes from it, I love skating. I like this process. It's a challenging way for me to put myself out there, and I grow so much with each step. I really like this stage, guys. 

After literally years of video attempts, I finally contacted a professional to actually do it. We met on Saturday during one of the club sessions, and got all the filming done! I used Tap House Media, an awesome local company. We actually know the founders through their parents, and Heidi was so wonderful. I thought I might be nervous, or self-conscious, but the whole morning was so comfortable and fun. 

The night before I made a list of everything I wanted to remember to do, and I think we got it all in there.  I came up with some footwork sequences to show off different things, and spent a lot of time spinning and doing show tricks like spread eagles and illusions. My jumping has been a little weird lately, so I saved that until the end, with the plan to send her some of my own jumping videos if I couldn't do any good ones while she was there. But not to worry! I landed axels and double salchows! I'm slowly but surely pulling myself out of this rut. My jumps are definitely my weakest area when it comes to qualifications, so I wish I could showcase more doubles, entrance variations, and combos to show. At some point this year, I'd like to make an updated jumping reel so I have more to send out, but with the season I've had for jumping, I'm actually really happy with what got filmed.

At the very end, I ran through my showcase program. Late summer, I worked with Kate McSwain to choreograph it and I am so in love with it. The music is a Boogie Woogie Bugel Boy/Candyman medley, and it's very retro and rockabilly. I still need to work on consistently landing my jumps in it, but I'm so excited to take it to a showcase competition. I do love the faces and acting that's in this program, so I really wanted snippets of it in the video. 

It felt so good to finally take this step! When the video's ready, I'll definitely be sharing it here. Action is the best way to cure feelings of inadequacy.

Happy Monday! xoxo

Courage in 2017

2016 was a pretty good year. I just re-read the post I published this time last year. I hadn't even remembered half of the intentions and goals I set, much my less my 'word of the year'. Yet looking back, I found that my intention started to manifest itself without me even thinking about it.

I had picked stubborn as my word for 2016. It may sound like a bit of a negative word, but I meant it in a positive way. I wanted to be stubborn about my goals, and learn to lean in to the hard stuff. I wanted to be stubborn and stand up for myself, instead of getting pushed around. I wanted to be stubborn by living in the way I knew was really me, instead of feeling directionless.

While the particular word 'stubborn' didn't stick with me long, I did keep coming back to the overall intention. When something would start to go badly at work and I would get queasy and scared, my mantra was, "You're tough. Be tough". Sometimes when I was nervous, I'd imagine physically digging in my heels and refusing to move. Those visuals and mantras gave me the oomph I needed to get over a few hurdles this year.

In a less positive way, though, I did find myself doing a lot of muscle-ing this year. One of my coaches actually cited this as why I wasn't jumping as well as I could have been: I was trying too hard, and ended up just forcing it. If I calmed down and allowed my jumps to flow, they'd be easier. I need to beat this habit on-ice, but the funny thing is I've noticed myself doing the same thing off-ice, too. When I get worried, I tend to start pushing too hard and forcing things, instead of recognizing that sometimes, I need to just let it go, and see what happens. I learned a lot about this balance of stubbornness in 2016, but I've still got a long ways to go.

For 2017, though, my word is courage. As in the courage to be authentic. The courage to put myself out there, regardless of anxieties and insecurities. The courage to reach out to someone new, take the first step. I want to be more courageous in my relationships. More courageous in my pursuit of opportunities. More courageous in my actual work, so I can be willing to take risks and experiment. I want to courageously do what is right, not what is easy. I want the inner strength, peace, and forward attitude that courage implies.

I've thought a lot about my goals for 2017 over the past month or two. Rather than looking at the whole year, I'm setting goals by the quarter. At this point in my life, I feel like things tend to stay the same forever and then change all at once. I cannot imagine a single plan that would realistically work out for the whole year. But a 3-month period? I can plan 3-months of intentional, challenging, growth inducing goals.

THE SYSTEM:

• Split the year into quarters: January-March, April-June, July-September, October-December.

• Set 3 'big' goals for each quarter. These should be challenging but realistic.

• In addition to the Big 3, keep up with my goal to perform a solo every month (a challenge I gave myself in November), and read 5 books (3 audio, 2 regular). 

• I would also like to be more intentional about habit building in 2017, so for each month, I'm going to pick a theme, and then try to build some habits around that theme. I'm not going to go crazy keeping track of them or anything, but I'm hoping that just having that monthly reflection and reminder will help me to be more intentional in my daily life this year. 

Now I know that probably seemed a little intense, but I actually feel like I've built a lot of flexibility into it. Planning only 3 months at a time allows me to be so much more aware of what will actually be useful, and I'm hoping that leads to a lot of strides forwards this year.

QUARTER ONE: JANUARY--MARCH

So what, I'm sure you're dying to know, is the plan for quarter one?

BIG 3:

• Make/send out an audition video. 

• Prep for/pass Intermediate Freeskate.

• Another personal one I'm going to keep offline right now (I'll be less mysterious after I check it off). 

SOLOS:

I'm not sure what I'm going to do for January yet, but in February TOI Boston will be hosting a Sk8 to Elimin8 Caner exhibition that I'd like to solo in, and in March I'll probably skate in either a local show or a Showcase competition. 

READING:

I'm horrible with reading lists, but right now I'm looking forward to listening to Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth on audio, and then finishing The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, finally finishing my re-read of The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien, and starting Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham (I'm also really looking forward to finishing Gilmore Girls in general. I'm finally in Season 6 and loving it, although I'm already dreading Season 7 because from what I can tell while staying spoiler free, everyone's dissapointed by it. BUT I've heard A Year In The Life is awesome, so I'm still psyched). 

HABIT BUILDING:

For January, I'd like to focus on rhythm. I want to add more flow and stride-catching to my day, so I can spend less time worrying about stuff that doesn't ultimately matter. I want to try making my bed every day, sticking to the same morning routine, figuring out what I'm wearing for work at the start of the week, and packing my bags the night before. 

February is going to be a crazy month with tons of practices and therefore tons of commuter time, so I'm thinking of restore. I'd like to focus on getting enough sleep, eating really well, and working out in a way that boosts my energy. 

I don't have many ideas for March, but with it being (potentially) a slightly slower month than January and February, I'm thinking I might focus on create. I've been wanting to challenge myself more when it comes to creative projects (I tend to always do the same creative things), so maybe I would try to start and finish a project in March.

Yes, I know. I always unleash my most psychotic, sticky-note loving self on January 1st. Yet while I know my 'quarterly system' and 'monthly focus' can come across as a little heavy, I actually feel really light and content about it. Planning for just three months, taking things as they come, and focusing on wellness and wholeness, just feels so achievable. I don't need to worry about next fall. Or summer. Or honestly, even May. I am not there yet. Instead, I am doing my absolute best work now. 

Happy New Year! xoxo

Last Quarter Goals

I feel like God presents you with the lessons, or quotes, or people, or opportunities, that you most need at the time. I believe that good can come out of any situation, as long as we stay hopeful and make the most of what's presented to us. 

As a future-oriented person, I've always had a fair amount of anxiety about goals and careers and what I want my life to look like. While it's not a good thing, I'm a worrier by nature, and sometimes I can channel that worry into drive, and use it to help me actually reach my goals. I tend to have a lot of skill-based worries. I never doubt my vision, I never doubt my work ethic, or my stamina. But I'll often find myself worrying about my inadequacy in one specific area, and then using that as my excuse for never moving forward.

I have always wanted to audition for skating shows. In many ways, it's the only thing I've really known I wanted to do. And while I've put myself out there in various ways (like Knoxville!), I've also sometimes found myself holding back. I haven't always understood this, but now I do. I've held back because I'm afraid of being inadequate. I'm afraid of being rejected, of people thinking it's a silly thing to try and then me looking silly if I try and then fail. But I've also held back because I'm afraid of being successful, and then found out. I'm afraid that somehow, I'll get cast or start talking to someone or something, only for them to slowly realize that I'm actually not that great. And I fully realize that this is the most ridiculous thing I could possibly be scared of. But I'm terrified of it.

One of my coaches pointed out, though, that I am doing this for me. I love skating as a lifestyle, and I don't ever want to stop skating. I love performing, I love practicing, I love experimenting, but the enjoyment of those things don't diminish just because I'm not being recognized, or because I wish I was better.

I have tunnel vision. Some say it's a good thing, but lately I've been working on fixing the negative side effects of it. My tunnel vision tells me that if I don't get my act together and become a perfect skater in a month I will never be anything, period. But I know that life is so much more full than that. And that while skating is a huge and ever-growing part of me, it's my attitude, work ethic, what I do with friends, the conversations with my mom, my go-to coffee order, and my favorite sitcoms that make me me, and a much better me than the tunnel-skating-me. In the same way, within skating I can get so focused on landing a particular jump, that I start to obsess over it to the point that you'd think it was all that skating was. And it's not. I love choreography, combination spins, footwork patterns, making faces. Just like we need well-rounded lives, it's well-rounded skating that provides the most fulfillment. And messing up one jump doesn't  diminish that at all.

We are all so much more than one thing, and thank goodness for that. Our lives hold every possibility of infinite things to do. We would be pretty boring if we limited ourselves to only one specific thing.

I am so excited to be entering this last quarter of 2016. I am excited to try new things and buckle down on old things. I'm excited to put forward my best self, free of inhibitions and crippling doubts. I wrote a list of goals for October-December that is making me wicked motivated, because while it's a tough list, it's also a totally doable list. In the interest of privacy (I know! Strange concept for me!) I haven't shared all of them, but don't worry, you'll see the rest once they're completed.

Goals for October-December 2016:
-Pass Intermediate Freeskate.
-Compete in a showcase competition (Cannot wait to tell you more about this!).
-Read The Two Towers.
-Pay back some bills I've had to sit on. 
-Make progress saving for this year's travel.
-Consistently workout 3 days a week (Currently have zero off-ice routine and it's a problem).
-Get an internship/shadow/become a staff writer, do something. And do a good job, preferably.
-Code something. Just a random thing to learn!
-Do at least 4 social friend things.
-Meet friends in Boston.
-Blog post once a week.
-Knit 10 more things.
-Make an audition video.

I am excited for what's next. I'm ready for what's next. What's getting you motivated for the last quarter of the year?

Happy Monday! xoxo

2016 Will Be Quite A Year

See also: 2015 Was Quite A Year.

Happy New Year, my friends! I don't know about you, but I am very excited to put 2015 behind us and move on to a bright, beautifully blank-page 2016.

I'm really into resolutions. 3-month plans. January 1sts, Monday mornings, fresh starts. I love all of that. This year, I'm taking two very different (and seemingly hypocritical) approaches to goal setting and I am so excited about it.

First, I'm getting REALLY persnickety and focused. This part of my goal setting speaks to the Type A perfectionist that hides away inside of me. I'm letting her out by:

-Coming up with a short list of big goals for year, which I've displayed on sticky notes on my motivation wall.

-Building a budget and making real saving goals.

-Committing to two daily habits I aim to do everyday in 2016: practice a yoga headstand every day (because headstands) and read every day. I made colorful daily goal trackers and everything!

-Writing a 3-month plan that gets broken into goals for each month and objectives for each week.

-Focusing on creating a rhythm and work flow that is not only productive but happiness and inspiration inducing.

But secondly, I'm also coming at 2016 with more relaxed intentions and mantras for the year. These objectives are just as important to me as my clearly-defined ones, and often, make the clearly defined ones possible.

-Getting better at unwinding. As in hanging out with friends more, knitting, and reading.

-Showing up every single day. Not waiting for inspiration, chasing my dreams now!

-Finding joy and actively pursing joy. I love the work I'm trying to do, but lately I've been very frustrated with my personal skating. A huge goal for me in 2016 is to get back to joy, love of the sport, and love of the art and always keeping that in the forefront. So I'm working on checking in with myself more, focusing less on 'better' girls out on the ice, and not getting down on myself.

-Refusing to be walked on. I don't want to rehash 2015 again, but a huge theme from last year was feeling pushed around and stepped on. In 2016 I'm going after what I want and not putting up with crap.

I love the concept of choosing a word to guide you through the year. It may sound silly, but for 2016, I want my word to be stubborn.

Stubborn as in refusing to give up on dreams.

Stubborn as in digging my heels deeper when the risk of failing seems to get bigger.

Stubborn as in refusing to be put down...

And stubborn as in going after what I want even when others don't believe in it.

2016 is going to be quite a year. I can feel it.

Goals: Check Ins, Recaps, Updates!

On August 16, I wrote a post that detailed my goals for the 'new' year. Now, almost exactly two months later, I'm looking back, drawing some conclusions, and pulling myself together for another stretch.

There's a lot of things I didn't do. Some I half did. And others I completely checked off. As always, there are things I want to change, and things I'm super happy with. But progress is the point, and I'm really happy to say that there's been lots of that!

The last list was broken up into sections, so I did the same here. In each section, I have the status of the goals from my last list, followed by my new goals.

PERSONAL TRAINING

From last time:

1.) Testing Junior Moves in the Field. Done! And passed!

2.) Land a double salchow and a double loop. Not yet. It's kind of frustrating, actually. But they are getting closer.

3.) Take jump lessons. Yes! I'm really proud of this. In August, this seemed like such a big step. But I've since gotten it all set up and worked out, and I'm now taking jump lessons from another coach every Wednesday. She actually used to coach my main coach, so it's all connected! Definitely a good decision.

4.) TOI Boston tryouts. I went to both days of tryouts, and am skating with the senior team, Act 1! So happy to start learning choreography and really get the season underway. :)

5.) Daily yoga practice. Still struggling to get into the habit of this, but it's better than it was. I really do enjoy yoga, and notice a huge difference when I'm diligent with it, so I'm committing to doing more.

6.) Off-Ice training. Still haven't signed up for a gym. And I've literally not ran or biked or done anything but skating and yoga. It's shameful and needs to change.

Current Goals:

7.) Land a double salchow, double loop, and double toe loop. Think big!

8.) Perfect a flying camel and a flying sit spin. Flying camel needs better timing, flying sit actually needs to...spin.

9.) Get gym membership (and start going). 

10.) Re-commit to daily yoga. And work on arm balances: forearm headstand, fling pigeon, and eight angle pose.

11.) Send in an application video to Disney on Ice. I've avoided writing that as a goal here forever. It just seemed so scary to have it out like that. But I am so, so excited for this.

COACHING & WORK

From last time:

12.) Finish registering as a Basic Skills instructor. I did! Need to finish the background check though.

13.) Sell stuff online. I've been posting stuff to Etsy, selling some books on Homeschool Classifieds, and I sent in a ThredUp bag. So yeah!

Current Goals:

14.) Further my writing. I want to keep blogging regularly, and even bump it up. I'd like to post here five times a week. And I'd like to start applying to write other places. Like guest posting, or being a contributor somewhere.

15.) Finish the background check. And get a regular job coaching. Right now I'm on sub lists, but I'd love a regular job.

16.) Keep trying to sell stuff online.

Okay, so I feel like I was kinda all over the place in this post. But honestly, I feel all over the place. My aim right now is just to keep experimenting and grinding to find a rhythm that works, but also not wait for that rhythm before getting down to work. There's a lot to try and see and do. And it's not waiting for anybody.

Happy Tuesday! xoxo

Vision

I've been thinking about vision lately. About the need for direction and purpose, something to look forward to, something to strive for.

And I've been thinking about how most of the things I'm most proud of (my axel, my car), came from me just obsessing over them. I achieved them only after I was able to imagine them perfectly. And not just imagine what they'd look like...but imagine how they'd feel.

I never had all the details ironed out. I always had a plan, but seldom one that stayed on track and actually worked. But I had vision. I knew how something would feel...what it would help me do...and that image was perfectly clear to me.

So right now, I'm working on finding a clearer vision. Picture who I am. What I wear. How I work. What I eat for breakfast. My signature skating move. The attitudes I foster. The people I'm friends with. The adventures I go on.

I understand that visions change. But, I feel like only in the real pursuit of something can you open yourself up to a different opportunity. So whether or not that vision ends up truly being for me, I'd like to pursue it, just the same.

Happy Saturday! xoxo

Goals for the 'New' Year

I've been talking a little more lately about this new, extremely exciting post-grad life. But, I've not done a very good job of painting a full picture of it, so I thought I'd share the current goals I'm working towards. To save this post from being way too all over the place, I've categorized them.

Personal Training:

1.) Testing Junior Moves in the Field (hopefully by the end of the month). Super excited, since this is the second to last MIF test and I've been working on it since December.

2.) Land a double salchow and a double loop. They've been so much closer lately! I've been attempting them every single time I'm on the ice, and I'm really starting to feel 'ready'.

3.) Take jump lessons. I've been toying with the idea of getting an additional coach just for jumping, since my coach and I already have so much to work on, and I really think I want to give it a try.

4.) TOI Boston tryouts in September. I skated with TOI Boston last year and I'm really looking forward to skating with them this year! Last year I was on the Junior level team Ovation, and this year I'm tryout out for the senior level team Act 1.

5.) Daily yoga practice. I've gotten so out of the practice with yoga, and I'm really missing it. I'm going to try and be more conscientious about doing it everyday, since I notice such a big difference when I do. I'm also excited to be working on inversions! I've almost got a forearm headstand figured out!

6.) Off-ice training. Honestly, I've lost a lot of strength and endurance this summer (I blame asthma. But it's really just me being lazy). I'm getting gym membership, and am going to start 'real' workouts soon. I'm thinking mostly strength training with the machines (particularly upper body/core), and I'm going to meet with the gym trainer to figure it out. Kinda nervous, since I've never done the gym thing before, but I think it will help a lot!

Coaching & Work:

7.) Finish registering as a Basic Skills Instructor. I want to finish this THIS WEEK, and start sending out resumes/applications to local rinks.

8.) This isn't really a goal, but I'm training to be an assistant at my 'job' now. I work at a grocery store, so as an assistant I get to walk around and make voids and stuff. It's a change of pace.

9.) Sell stuff online. I've got so many school books, sewing patterns, and vintage clothes from that full-immersion phase that I want to sell online. I've been feeling very claustrophobic from all the clutter lately, plus I want to make this my 'save' money.

Randoms:

10.) Start eating better. I honestly feel like I have a food crisis every six months, but I'm having a really hard time feeling full and not shaky lately, even when I've supposedly eaten 'enough'. I want to be better about watching what I eat, and especially eating more fiber and protein verses carbs, and see if it goes away.

11.) Be a better emailer. Enough said.

12.) Post here twice a week. My goal is every Tuesday and Saturday, but seeing I'm posting this on a Sunday, we'll see how that goes....

13.) Backup everything on laptop, and buy a new laptop. My poor baby is ready to die and it's depressing.

Mind Games:

14.) Go on real self-dates. Get comfortable with alone time. Enjoy it.

15.) Take more chances, stop overthinking.

16.) Be an initiator when making plans with friends.

17.) Practice gratitude.

18.) Worry less about what people think.

19.) Stand up for myself more (and trust myself more).

20.) Don't get in my own way. Don't be lazy. Don't be dumb. Don't be fearful.

What are your goals and plans for the 'new' year?

Happy Sunday! xoxo

:: february 2015 ::

5 Epic Things That Happened This Month:

+Had a truly awesome Saturday getting coffee and chatting with Dia, then going to see our brothers in Guys and Dolls together! Oh and we had pizza. So the day was basically perfect. 

+Had a 'soft' critique with my theater on ice team, as prep for our 'hard' critique coming up this month!

+Wrote some of the longest journal entries of my life. I'm talking 5+ pages in my impossible-to-read cursive. I think I'm just going to make an official statement that brain dumping is my love language. 

+Got a second job lined up that will hopefully grown and expand, and got offered a new position at my regular job, which I had to turn down (cuz of timing), but was exciting to be offered, nonetheless. 

+Ate some ridiculously good doughnuts. Also, those Cadburry mini eggs are back!!

Goals for Next Month:

+Stay focused! I've got lots of writing projects, school and otherwise, that need to happen this month. A literature essay, a psychology research paper, and a speech for 4-H. Plus I want to really hustle with my other school stuff and keep blogging. Busy busy!

+Do some much-needed shopping. It seems silly to write it as a goal, but I've been putting this off since Christmas. 

+Push myself in each skating practice, learn my new routine, do more yoga, and go to Vermont Theater on Ice Festival (!!!).

+Be aware of my attitude, and work on approaching life with more kindness and hustle and positivity.

On the Blog:

+This month we talked about how heroines aren't guaranteed a hero, and then overthought about song lyrics and movies and Pixar shorts. I also shared a random list of stuff I love, and we wrapped up by talking about all those things you've always wanted to do.

Recommended Reads:

+15 Things All BA, Fearless Alpha Women Do Differently. A motivating read that will have you doing the Wonder Woman pose all. day. long.

+2015 US Nationals Joshua Farris Short Program. I didn't get to watch any of the men's skates during Nationals, so I was going back and watching some favorites on Youtube. Let's just say I'm in love with this program and have watched it, like, five times.

+The Nectar Collective. I just discovered this blog and have been obsessively stalking the archives. Some favorites: 15 Tips for a Happier Year, How To Develop Your Own Unique Blogging Voice, and How To Get Sh!t Done Even When You're Totally Unmotivated (my life, right?). (ALSO I'm linking up other there to share goals on Weekly Wishes...check it out!)

+16personalities. I had to do a personality type quiz for my psych class, so I took this one from 16personalities. I'm obsessed. It's basically a combination of Jung and Myers-Briggs theories, with some of their own stuff thrown in. It's only a 12-minute test and the description was scarily accurate (for me, anyways). I'm an INFJ, and reading through all the info was so enlightening!!

+From moi: Heroines Aren't Guaranteed A Hero, 25 Ways To Be (a little more) Fabulous, and Pride and Prejudice.

Hope your February was joyful and loving!

Let's make March totally kick-butt, okay?

Happy Weekend! xoxo

PS-I don't particularly like this outfit. I'm not sure if it's the not-quite perfect sweater fit, or the exposed tank top, or the slouch boots that are slouching too much....but I'm just not sure. I like this in theory but not in real life. Le sigh. 

headband // walmart, cardigan & belt // thrifted, tank and jeans // jc penny, boots // hand-me-down.

You Know All Those Things You've Always Wanted To Do?

{pin it!}

So far, 2015 has already been full of ups and downs.

And coming out of February, I've honestly been feeling a little stuck. I feel far away from what I want to do and the type of person I want to be. Sometimes, I just feel so blocked--like the hamster wheel of daily life keeps me from accomplishing anything of meaning.

I find myself waiting a lot. Looking forward to summer, to the weekend, to that far-off day when I'm a put together person and can get everything done seamlessly.

But, the time is now. This life is not eternity. We have one shot.

I'm good at envisioning the life I want. I can visualize a daily routine, make plans, and list goals like nobody's business. But I often get so caught up in details that I loose sight of the big picture, and forget to start at all.

If I want to be a positive, caring, kick-butt girl....then I need to channel that attitude today.

If I want to be the dedicated, artistic, strong athlete...then I better put in the ice time. And do some yoga.

If I want to be the smarty who's on track with homework...then I better sit myself down and start working on it.

And if I want to be the adventurous girl surrounded by incredible, energizing people....then I better make sure I'm caring for relationships and being open to new ones.

Today is the day to go to a yoga class. Apply to an Ivy-League. Open your Etsy shop. Text your crush. Try that new coffee shop. Eat a doughnut. You know those all those things you've always wanted to do? Well, you should go do them.

Happy Weekend! xoxo

Goal Writing (Oh yeah! And an, um axel!)

Big announcement, you guys:

I landed my axel on Monday!

I also landed it on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. Wednesday was a disaster, but oh well. I've got it now, baby!

Those of you who read regularly have probably heard about my axel many times before. Going on three years, this jump has proved just out of my grasp. It had gotten incredibly close this summer, but that was almost more frustrating than it just being a hot mess. I was so, so close. And I just really, really wanted it.

Back when I did regular monthlies, my axel was included in every single 'goals list'. Off the blog, I don't know how many times I've written "Land my axel." It's written on legal pads, actual goal lists, journal entries in several different journals, random sticky notes, and doodled-on receipts.

I've been more than a little obsessive.

I was getting really frustrated, and honestly, sick of them. The same little side hop entry, the same two footed landing. Sometimes, the landing would be closer to one foot, but I'd fall. I didn't like working on them, because I just felt stuck. But at the start of this month, I was talking to my mum and I just said "I've got to do it this month."

Just, do it.

I told my coach, "I want to land my axel this month, and then put it in the Christmas show. I just have to do it this month."

Perhaps this is obvious. But I can't help but be amazed that I said I would do it this month, and it happened. Like, I really did achieve that goal.

Oh my word, guys. I have my axel! I would like to offer myself as proof that, eventually, with enough focus and enough hard work, goals are checked off. Don't doubt yourself, because that's a surefire way to stay stuck forever.

This year, I tried a new goal-writing method. I wasn't satisfied with my "QUICK DO EVERYTHING" life-list, and for whatever reason, a list of monthly goals and objectives just seemed sterile. A couple of months ago I came across an amazing power-point online (which, apparently, I cannot find and can't link to....#bloggerfail), that presented a great way of organizing goals. Long story short:

• Make 5 goal lists: Lifetime, 10-year, 4-year, 1-year, and a 3-month action plan.
• Be realistic, but also dream big. He made the awesome comment that your goals should be so big, you only achieve 70% of them. But giving yourself the permission to try, makes you more likely to achieve. 
• Keep your lists in a visible place, and (here's the key) actively pursue them throughout your daily life (no duh. But really, it's easier said than done). 

Well, I made my lists. And I love them. I feel like my goals are challenging, and leading me in a good direction, but I also feel like I can really make great progress. My goal year goes June-June, which I prefer to January-December, and my 3-month plan ends on December 1. On the first of this month, I sat down and made a 1-month action plan, that highlighted the specific goals in the 3-month plan with action steps I could take every day to get there.

Landing an axel and landing a double (remember the 70% rule!) were on my 3-month plan. So, the specific steps I wrote down in my 1-month action plan were:

• Re-committing to showing up early to the rink and off-ice jumping.
• Trying them every single time I hit the ice, even when I was really tired or it wasn't a 'jumping day'. 
• Extra lessons with my coach.

Then, I wrote down a cheesy mantra that I repeated over and over again:

Fire within me.

And yes, I needed a mantra that was really cliche, and really hustle-y, to get that jump.

I'd been starting to feel really down in the dumps, and frankly, I wasn't very confident in my ability to land it. But, I did try to keep repeating this mantra, and in a cheesy way, I tricked myself into believing it. Gillian, you're good. You're strong. You're dedicated. You've got this. 

You might say that I would have gotten my axel eventually, even without all these 'action plans' and mantras, and you'd probably be right. But, I know being able to focus, and channel my frustration into a fire to get it done, really pushed me. I love writing lists, and goal lists are something I've always tried to work with. But, this is the first system I've felt actually worked. You can bet I'll be updating my lists for the next 3-months.

What system do you use? And does anyone know what Power Point I'm talking about? I'd love to give some credit.

Happy Weekend! xo

::novice::

 

Not really sure how to write this.

I tried my Novice Moves in the Field test today. Didn't pass, unfortunately. Only one judge gave me a pass, so not the 2-out-of-3 needed. 

I'm disappointed, but pleased to say I've not been a crying mess all day. This is actually the first test I've ever failed, and you're bound to fail at least one. I'm not going to share my exact scores, but suffice it to say they were awfully close, and I made no big mistakes. So now, it's just a matter of polishing and perfecting and waiting 28 days until I'm eligible to try again. 

Actually, none of the girls testing Novice today passed. Novice is the line between rec-skaters and serious skaters--everyone who passes Novice sticks with it until they pass Junior and Senior, and those that don't pass Novice....well...they don't keep really keep skating. So, the judges get really nit-picky about this test. USFSA has a statistic that says 78% of skaters don't pass Novice on the first try.

Still, I'm (obviously) glad I tried it. That's been my favorite thing about skating so far this season.--I've been doing more and putting myself out there more. It's great to meet other skaters. And skate at other rinks. And feel nerves & butterflies. All the newness has helped me to focus, and who doesn't need more focus?

Anyways, so that's that for today. My mum bought me an egg sandwhich and a pound (not kidding. It literally weighs a pound!!!!) brownie on the way home. I'm taking tomorrow and Friday off, and then getting back into the groove on Saturday.

Happy Wednesday! xo

Ahead.

So, I'm a senior this year (ah. Still processing). And, guys, I'm so excited.

I have a really good feeling about this year. Things have lined up rather nicely, and lack of life-updates on the blog has not meant lack of excitement. I've had a lot swimming around my head that I've wanted to tell you guys; I've just been waiting for a coherent thought process to do it. Here goes.

+Remember when I got real about skating? Well, I made that team. Come this September, I'll start weekly practices with Theater on Ice of Boston's junior team, Ovation. I'm really, really happy about this, people. I've wanted to compete with a TOI team since I was 12. And for those of you who've been around and read multiple posts about disney, consider this a MAJOR step in the right direction.

+I've worked a lot this summer. Unfortunately work's been a bit up in the air as of late (loooong story...meriting an entire post!), but things are looking up! I worked 20 hours a week for most of the summer, and I'm hoping to get 10 over the school year.

+I did some major goal writing the other night. I went right down the list with deadlines and dates and everything. I'm going to share that process in another post, but let me say this: it left me completely revved up for life in general.

+I'm going to be testing Novice Moves in the Field soon. I'm ecstatic about this, because if I pass, then I only have two more Moves in the Field tests left! For a girl who's not naturally good at footwork, that's really exciting. And, my axels are getting closer...hopefully I'll land one soon!

+School should go well. It really should. Going through my credits, I've put myself in a good place for a challenging, but not dreadful, senior year. I'm taking French 2, Brit Lit, Personal Finance, Sociology/Psychology, and finishing up Economics and Chem from this summer. I'll probably add in another half year course for the spring semester, but I'm not sure yet.

+There's lots of smalls, too: finding the perfect jeans, organizing my room, discovering coffee shops (and making coffee shop plans with skating friends), gift cards to spend on books, coming up with a life mantra (always wanted one!), and this overwhelming feeling of opportunity.

^^That's why I'm excited for this year. Life ahead just looks like one wide expanse. I have so, so many ideas for what I want to fill that canvas with. I feel a direction. But, for the first time, I don't feel limited. Or like I have to wait. I feel like I can start doing things and moving forward right now.

And it feels awesome, exciting, and completely grown up. But it also feels really scary. I honestly can't tell you what I'll be doing this time next year...and while I suppose we could  call that exhilarating, it's also terrifying. I've had anxiety attacks for the first time ever this summer, as well as bathroom-floor-crying moments. I'm still stressed, especially thinking about getting to Boston, work, testing, balancing school, and whatever it is that happens after graduation. But I also have this amazing feeling that I'm on the edge; that if I stretch a little more and spring a little further I'll topple over onto something really good. I feel like every good idea I've ever had can be put into effect. And I feel like I really could accomplish half the things I've ever wanted to. It's terrifying...but I suppose new things are supposed to be terrifying. You do things before you're ready for them, right?

So that's where I'm at right now! As always, thanks for reading! I can't wait to keep up our weekend chats here on the blog...I've got lots of ideas for posts spinning around! Readers are the best, I've got to tell ya. :)

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time, there was a girl who loved to skate. She dreamed of a day when she could skate for money, and never stop doing what she loved. But, often, that day seemed far away.

Then one Sunday, the girl went down to Boston. And they got lost, and drove around the city twice (that's the boring part, though).

Finally, they arrived at a magical place: The Skating Club of Boston. There, they met very nice woman and watched a theater on ice team practice. They talked about skating levels, and Nationals, and Worlds, and the ups and downs and struggles and successes of skating on a senior TOI team.

Once, the girl asked about the Novice level team, because she thought that's where she'd probably end up.

"Oh, you'd be too good for that team." the woman said.

She had never been told that before.

The girl found out there was a workshop in August, and then auditions in September. She looked at the girls during practice and thought, after a bit of learning curve, "I could do this."

On the way home that night, the girl thought about her goals, and dreams, and how skating  was what she loved and all she wanted to do. She thought about all the time she'd spent this last year, and how she hadn't felt that she'd improved. But then she remembered where she was exactly a year ago. She realized she'd had improved--just in small increments, so she'd hardly noticed until it hit her all at once.

The girl thought about trying Novice Moves in the Field in August.

She thought about her better attempts at axels lately.

And she thought about TOI.

And for the first time, she looked to her dreams and said, "I could do this."

s o m e d a y s

Someday...I'll land that axel.

Someday...I'll skate my way around the world.

Someday...I'll have my own apartment. And my own Boston Terrier. And possibly pink cabinets.

Someday...I'll afford a better brand of mascara.

Someday...I'll be done with school.

Someday...The nine-mile bike loop will be easy.

Someday...I'll support myself by writing and skating.

Someday...I'll succeed at being more spontaneous.

Someday...there'll be dates.

Someday...I'll actually keep fresh flowers on my desk.

Someday...I'll qualify as 'put-together'.

Someday...I'll actually finish my to-do list.

Someday...the work I put in, despite the doubt, will pay off. Most times, I loose sight of that. I forget that I study so I can graduate so I can go to college so I can write. I forget that I work so I can skate so I can have opportunities so I can skate with Disney. But each decision, big or small, shapes my life and the person I'm trying to become.

The truth is, I've been in a slump. I've just felt overwhelmed, and like everything I was doing was pointless. I've started to snap out of it. And then today, I read this post from Humans of New York. I can feel the focus coming back. Guess what? It's not pointless. Everything matters. Really. Everything. The early mornings, the late nights, the yoga, the skype chats. Everything counts towards what I'm building. And the funny thing is, that seems so simple right now. So obvious. And I can't believe I lost sight of it.

Someday might be a ways off. But at least it's coming. And each day I feel more driven to reach it. 

Intermediate MIF!!

So, guys: today I passed my Intermediate Moves in the Field test.

Whoo Hoooo!

Nothing compares with passing a test, people. NOTHING. It's really affirming. You feel like you're on the right path, that you (maybe) have things together, and that things will work out and goals actually will be reached.

This past week, I was nervous (the last week's always the hardest, am I right?). But today, I zoned in the moment I got to the rink. Stretching went well. My warm up was great. And I was just able to get out and do my job.

I can't wait to start working on the Novice MIF test. It's got all new stuff, rather than building on old patterns, and from what I've heard is a big jump up after Intermediate. Still, I'm so excited! I love learning new moves patterns, and having something new to work towards is a great feeling.

So yeah, I'm kind of psyched. I was really happy with how I skated today, because I was able to focus and control my nerves rather than collapsing in a pile of wobbles. And now, I can start in on a new goal. It was a great day, people!

Thanks for reading. :)

TYG: Skating Goals.

I've talked about Disney on Ice before, but lately I've been going through another phase of feeling confused. The thing about skating, is it produces really young athletes. And with that in mind, I sometimes feel like I'm a bit of a late-bloomer skating wise.

I always feel like I'm on such a time-crunch. The goal of skating with Disney on Ice is a rather time-sensitive one: it has to happen between high school and college. Because it seems like there's such a limited 'window', I get scared. What if I don't get it? What then? What will I possibly do with myself, if it doesn't include skating for Disney?

But yesterday, I had a really good talk with my coach. I just laid it on the table and told her what's been bothering me. And she definitely put some things in perspective for me.

Getting into Disney would be absolutely amazing. Definitely one of the best things that will ever happen to me. The experience will be amazing, the traveling, the skating...but, it's not the only way skating can be in my adult life. Like my coach said, skating doesn't end when I turn 18. Even if I don't get into Disney, skating isn't over. There's collegiate competing, NY Theater on Ice, Royal Caribbean Cruise. There's a million outlets for me to have the time to skate, and enjoy, and keep improving.

In a way, I feel really at peace and rejuvenated. I know the butterflies will come back, that I'll still worry, but frankly, that's okay. I would be more worried if I wasn't a little nervous, because that would mean I didn't really want it. But this afternoon, I just feel content. Everything works out in the end, after all.

Skating will always be a part of my life; an ever growing part. Each year has led me to work harder, do more, improve, and mentally re-commit. When I started taking private lessons 'way back' when I was 13, I thought I was so dedicated. Looking back, though, I laugh because I was still only skating 2-3 times a week, tops. Now, I stretch multiple times day, skate five days a week for two hour sessions, have more lessons with my coach, do off-ice training, and eat better. While I still know I have a long way to go, this afternoon, I'm just really proud of how far I've come.

What am I proudest of, though? The fact that I'm ready. I'm ready to practice harder, talk with my coach more, off-ice train. I'm ready to stop procrastinating on school so that I have time for skating, ready to sacrifice for my sport. And yes, I know it won't be easy, or all roses. But it's what I want and I know I can trust myself to do everything in my power to get there.

Half of the reason I love Pinterest is my quotes board. Every time I need a boost, I scroll through some of those pins and feel all inspired. Lately, I've been loving this one by Steve Jobs:

"People think focus means saying yes to the thing you've got to focus on. But that's not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I'm actually as proud of the things we haven't done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things."

So true, right? I'm at a point in my life where nothing (NOTHING) means as much to me as skating. Focusing on it means saying no to distractions. Or how about this one from F. Scott Fitgerald:

"For what it's worth, it's never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you're proud of, and if you find that you aren't, I hope you have the strength to start over."

Or this one, from none other than Albert Einstein:

"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than the one with all the facts."

And last but never least, words from the amazing Coco Channel:

"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."

I can't wait for Monday. To start a new week, and this time, to really rock it. I feel like I'm on the right path, and now I'm trusting myself to take the chances to keep me moving forward. I've been talking skating, but what do you want to accomplish? What dream are chasing down?

Outfit Details: scarf / / gift, top / / old navy, belt / / came with another dress, pencil skirt / / thrifted, nylons / / probably walmart, heels / / thrifted.

Stalk these pieces: pencil skirt: #1, heels: #1, belt: #1, #2, #3, #4.

PS: Linking up to Watch What I'm Wearing.

TYG: Being Intentional

There are people out there who are all *laugh laugh* "I'm not really into New Years Resolutions."

And honestly, I'm pretty sure they're lying. We all have something we want more (or less) of in 2014. In 2014, we will be perfect. Or at least really, really good. We'll make time for things. We'll read more, walk more, love more. We'll fight less, pin less, eat less. We'll finally check off that dream goal. 2014 is fraught with possibility.

I love dreaming about the new year. Right now, it seems like 52 weeks is plenty of time to accomplish everything I want to. But looking back at 2013, I know 365 days really isn't all that long. I feel like there's so much I've left undone, or never even started.

2013 was good. I feel like I grew up a lot, and for the first time, understood myself and trusted myself. I feel like I've hit the right stride between working towards goals and realizing that things will change and I have to accept that I'll never really know what is going to happen. My values have become clearer in my head, from Christianity to what it means to be successful. I know what really matters to me.

I have lots of goals and plans for 2014. They all boil down to one thing, though: being intentional.

Sometimes I feel like I'm not helping myself. I'm chronically lazy, way too good at procrastinating, and usually lack motivation. While I'm really good at planning on paper and 'resolving' throughout the year to do better, I do a really bad job actually putting that into practice.

2014, though, is going to be my year.

I'm going to skate harder and push myself both on and off the ice. I want to leave my comfort zone and know I've put every ounce of myself into a practice.

When I say I'm going to eat healthy, I'm going to. While I have no shame in eating cookie dough and downing pans of fudge by myself, it's not good for me (duh). It's not doing me any favors.

I'm going to just get school done, and stop procrastinating on the inevitable. I want to study harder and accomplish more.

I want to get off of Pinterest and read a book. I'm in danger of getting an internet addiction and I really don't want to. Plus I feel sorry for all the books languishing on my TBR list.

This is what I want from myself in 2014. I want to leave the year knowing that I've been 100% myself and worked my hardest. I want to be totally immersed in living. And I want to kick my lazy habit.

Best of luck to you in 2014! What do you want to accomplish?

Outfit Details: scarf / / gift, cardigan / / jc penny's, pencil skirt / / thrifted, tights / / george via walmart, boots / / hand-me-down, hair bow / / no idea.

Stalk these pieces: cardigan: #1, #2. skirt: #1, #2, #3. boots: #1.

Life-Lists

Last week, I mentioned my life-list. I really didn't do it justice in those two sentences, though, so I thought it deserved a post of its own. :)

Once again, I started this last November after coming home from National 4-H Congress. There I had heard Dan Thurmon speak, and like everyone else in the room, left inspired. Seriously, he is amazing, and I would gladly take any chance to hear him again.

Anyway, he talked about one man who had created a life-list when he was 15 years old. Basically, this boy just sad down and spilled out everything single wish and dream, no matter how crazy it sounded. He included everything from 'read through the Bible' to 'Be the first to explore (a bunch of previously unexplored) rivers in South America.' The guy ended up with a list of 600+, and has checked off almost all of them. But he didn't stop there. Since then, the same man has made numerous other lists, with equal success.

Dan Thurmon's main point in all of this was that it's one thing to think about something, but working towards it is entirely different. By writing down goals...no matter how insane....you're basically telling yourself, "This is real. I can do this." Plus, writing it down holds you accountable. It's no longer just a wish, it's an actual-on-paper-goal, and it will stare at you blankly forever if you don't cross it off.

We should all aim to complete more in life than what's expected. We don't have to go explore the Amazon, but then again, why not? Everything extraordinary that has ever been accomplished by human kind was accomplished by people just like you. We are so blessed to live in a society where we have the means to do lots of things. Why waste it? Why not take it for all it's worth?

The beauty of these lists is that they show you the relationship between your 'small' dreams and your 'big' dreams. My list has things like "Sew a green coat", "play the Pride and Prejudice theme on the piano", and "read through the Bible." They're sitting there right alongside "skate with Disney on Ice", "Tour Europe", and "own a breakfast and lunch shop."

Basically, there is no such thing as a 'small' dream. If it's important enough to you to write down, then it's important enough to complete. Chances are, the more we accomplish the 'small' things, the easier than 'big' ones will be. The point is to be setting goals, holding ourselves accountable, and always striving to be better individuals. Each and every life has the potential to be amazing, regardless of your situation.

In that spirit, here's my life-list. I actually was undecided about sharing this, but it seems like the right thing. It's quite long, so don't feel obligated to read it. Some of things may seem silly or vague, but just remember that this is my list with no editing. These aren't the detailed plans that might exist in my head, just the end result or basic idea. :)

1.) Write a successful blog.
2.) Publish a 'Young Yankee Lady' and 'NH Farmer Wife magazines'.
3.) Be a nomadic writer.
4.) Write a blog about being a nomadic writer.
5.) Write a western romance (or several!).
6.) Write a WWII romance novel.
7.) Write non-fiction.
8.) Read the Bible.
9.) Do my 'for the betterment of her mind' reading list.
10.) Read several books a month in addition to that.
11.) Decorate my room at Christmas. 
12.) Sew a green coat.
13.) Finish Algebra on time. 
14.) Take economics.
15.) Skate with Disney on Ice.
16.) Land a double lutz.
17.) Do a layback spin.
18.) Give out all homemade gifts at Christmas.
19.) Learn to knit socks.
20.) Ride a plane all dressed up.
21.) Pass senior MIF.
22.) Pass senior free skate.
23.) Picnic on the other side of the Reservoir.
24.) Visit the Library of Congress.
25.) Start a 'classic clothing basics' clothing line.
26.) Open a boutique.
27.) Have my own general store called Beanie's.
28.) Knit a pair of leg warmers.
29.) Visit Pemberlry.
30.) Be in skating magazine.
31.) Have my own little farm with a lovely family.
32.) Learn to play Jane Austen music on the piano.
33.) Visit family in Denmark.
34.) Go out swing dancing with a cowboy.
35.) Write a book about Grandma and Grandpa Eddie and Galt.
36.) Tour Europe.
37.) Learn to speak French.
38.) Learn to speak Latin.
39.) Learn German.
40.) Learn Greek.
41.) Learn Danish.
42.) Make a friend who's Amish.
43.) Take a picture of me doing a layback spin in front of Rockefeller Center.
44.) Start a 4H exchange program.
45.) Build up OMK in Strafford County.
46.) Welcome troops home.
47.) Start a quality, classic sewing line.
48.) Learn to sketch.
49.) Send a message to a friend using flowers.
50.) Live like a Hobbit. :)
51.) Read Jane Austen. 
52.) Start a program for our 4H club to work with other clubs to get them more involved in 4H.
53.) Live in the wilderness without electricity.
54.) Create a capsule wardrobe.
55.) Study art appreciation.
56.) Go on The Amazing Race (with Deanna).
57.) Finish all my subjects on time with a solid A.
58.) Live at the Beasily's and fix up the yard and house.
59.) Go out with a pilot for a night of dancing.
60.) Write love letters back and forth.
61.) Build up our church's  food pantry.
62.) Knit a fair isle sweater.
63.) Translate the Hobbit from Latin.
64.) Over the summer, make a rough draft for one of my novels.
65.) Have at least three people read and critique it.
66.) Write a second draft.
67.) Shear my own sheep by myself.
68.) Spin my own sheep's yarn.
69.) Write a prequel to The Hobbit about Kili.
70.) Do a split.
71.) Write to Gerald Morris.
72.) Sew everyday for a month.
73.) Make a personalized dress form.
74.) Make sketches to go with my Kili novel.
75.) Have a secret cabin the woods.
76.) Read some of Anthony Horowitz's books.
77.) Write to Alan Alda.
78.) Read Dan Thurmon's book.
79.) Read the book with the 'life lists' that Dan Thurmon talks about.
80.) Write to Frank Guinta.
81.) Write my futuristic short story.
82.) Write my 'lifetime' screenplay.
83.) Try doing fan art for Disney-especially vintage princesses.
84.) Read Hosea.
85.) Read Revelations.
86.) Write to Richard Armitage.
87.) Skate with a TOI troupe.
88.) Compete at Regionals.
89.) Land an axel.
90.) Read the Silmarillion.
91.) Skate a 'high-level' solo at the spring skate show.
92.) Join the Air Force.
93.) Re-decorate my room.
94.) Sew Abby a Christmas dress.
95.) Make a complete victorian outfit.
96.) Rent a beach cottage with The Puzzle.
97.) Start my Etsy pattern shop.
98.) Comment in lit class at least once every class for an entire year.
99.) Publish something.
100.) Get my license.
101.) Be club president and work really hard to make 'best-better' changes int he club.
102.) Go on a 3-day hiking trip.
103.) Go on a canoe/camping trip.
104.) Excercise six days a week for an entire year.
105.) Write letters to myself for ages 23, 32, and 60.
106.) Finish French on time.
107.) Finish Biology on time.
108.) Do a lift-your-leg spin.
109.) Take a senior picture of me doing a split.
110.) Learn to do a really good hand stand.
111.) Work through our pilates DVD.
112.) Breed sheep.
113.) Absolutely fill my window sill with plants.
114.) Make a purple trench coat and pants outfit for Fashion Revue, and wear it with those brown heels.
115.) make a gray a-line skirt to go with my green coat.
116.) Read all of Tolkien's books.
117.) Do an Ina Bauer.
118.) Try pair skating.
119.) Walk around during my speech at Big E.
120.) Coach skating.
121.) Buy a really nice little planner.
122.) Loose five pounds before school starts.
123.) Write a homeschool lit and English curriculum.
124.) Be a 4H extension educator.
125.) After I graduate, start a new 'single lady' blog.
126.) Own a 'paper and pen shop'.
127.) Own a 'breakfast and lunch shop', with a coffee bar.
128.) Study chicken coloring genetics by breeding my own birds.
129.) Write a backyard breeder's book about chicken genetics.
130.) Do a classics club list.

Thanks for reading! :)