The Ellis Family has decided to start a new tradition! We are all setting goals for ourselves for the calendar year, but we're doing it a little differently:
We've decided that it would be fun to set 20 goals for ourselves in the year 2013, but we only have to accomplish 13 of the 20 goals by the end of the year. If we accomplish more...GREAT, if not...we haven't decided what the punishment will be yet! Now, I know that this won't be able to continue for much longer, because let's face it, accomplishing 13 out of 20 is difficult enough, I can't imagine what trying to accomplish 19 out of 20 will be like. But for now, I am all aboard! So here are my 20 for 2013
:
1. Read 5 Books for Pleasure
I have a lot of reading to do as far as class is concerned, but I'm on a mission to read at least (hopefully more) 5 books that are not required reading this year. So far, I can cross one off of that number...The Hobbit is finished!
2. Get Published
This one is a big one for me. I am working on a research project for a class with a couple of girls in my cohort and we are serious about trying to get our research published. It will be a lot of work, and it will be hard, but I think we can do it!
3. Get Accepted to Present at NASPA
This one kind of follows getting published. If my group does well enough, we could submit a request to present our findings next March (2014) at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators conference in Baltimore, Maryland. We would find out if we are selected this calendar year!
4. Start Planning Graduation Vacation
This maybe is a cop out, but Tyler and I are set on going on a great vacation after we have both graduated...that means Summer 2014! So I want to start the process of planning said vacation...I know when I can personally check this off the list, and while I've started the planning process, I've got a ways to go!
5. 26 Pinterest Projects/Recipes
Why do I pin things on Pinterest if I'm not going to do anything about them? So, 2013 is the year of my Pinterest follow-through! Already completed a couple projects...I'm on my way!
6. Pay Back 1/2 of Student Loans
This is a goal that Tyler and I share! Hopefully when he graduates in August and gets a job (fingers crossed, knock on wood, etc.) we will be able to start the paying off our student loans process.
7. Exercise 2-3 Times Each Week
A) Drink 2
Nalgenes Each Day
This one is getting better...I haven't been consistent with it yet, but I am at least working out once a week (which is better than nothing/better than last semester). We are trying to get in a routine with this goal...life is so crazy though, it's hard to get it down! Nalgenes are NOT HAPPENING! I need to work on this one big time!
8. Lose Weight
That seems like a no-brainer if I'm trying to work out and drink more water...Grad School has not been kind to me!
9. Talk with a Long
Distance Friend/Family Member at least 2x a Month
I really want to be better at communicating with my friends that I don't see often, so I am trying to make myself accountable by making it a goal of mine to stay in touch with them more. I have some of the greatest friends, and since I've moved away from a bunch of them, I can only usually rely on the phone to stay in touch!
10. See ALL Oscar Best
Picture Nominee Movies Before Oscars
The Best Picture Nominees for the 2013 Oscars are (ones crossed-out we have seen):
Argo
Zero Dark Thirty
Les Miserables
Silver Linings Playbook
Lincoln
Django Unchained
Amour
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Life of Pi
11. Complete 3 New Sewing Projects
Bowties - COMPLETE
Not exactly sure what else I might try to sew, but I've got about a year for inspiration to hit me!
12.
Plan and Go On 12 Surprise Dates With Tyler!
Hopefully, these dates will happen once a month. I've already taken Tyler on our January date, and I have a few ideas for the next couple of months. I'm really excited about this one!
13. Make 5 Things Homemade That Would Normally be Store
Bought
I might double dip this goal in my sewing projects, or Pinterest projects. So far, I've made homemade spaghetti sauce and ravioli from scratch!
14. Make All A's
(Cross fingers, knock on wood, etc.)!
15. Read My Bible at Least 4x a Week
I really struggle with this and I have such a desire to be more disciplined in this area. I've had a really good start to the year though, so hopefully that saying about creating habits is true!
16. Use My
Crockpot 1x Each Month
Cutting this one close this month...but, tomorrow we will be having something from the crockpot!
17. Blog at Least 3x Each Month
I've already told you about this one...keep me accountable folks!
18. Start Saving For
Anniversary
I'm wanting to start setting aside little bits of money so we can do something fun on our 4 year (YIKES!) anniversary this summer!
19. Be More Active in Our Budget Upkeep...Check At Least 2x Each
Week
If I'm more aware of our budget, maybe I won't overspend at the grocery store every month.
20. Learn New Hobby...(don't know what yet!)
This one is still open...Tyler did get a ukelele for Christmas though. That sounds appealing!
So...CHEERS to the new year, and here's to hoping I can at least accomplish 13 of these 20 goals of mine.
Original Starbucks
These are pictures of where we ate lunch one day at Pike Place Market...full of hippies...but so pretty!
