12/29

I will preface this by saying that I probably won’t be able to come up with 10 for yesterday. As a matter of fact, there is only one—all of my sister and her boyfriend’s presents were stolen from the trunk of their car. It was in there one night, no one saw us load them up because we did it in a completely different city, so it was NOT our fault, except for that we trusted the laws of probability and the goodness of man. Stupid us. Then, because of the thieves’ tampering with the car, the car will not start, so we have to wait around all day for that to be fixed. Fuck evil fuckers.

1. We eventually made it to San Diego. New Years is on.

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/28

1. Slept waaay in. 9:00 AM!
2. Workout with Wii Fitness Coach.
3. Tiramisu
4. Beatles Rockband
5. Singing Sex on Fire on Guitar Hero
6. Playing the fake drums
7. All packed up for the road trip to San Diego tomorrow
8. San Diego Tomorrow with my sister!
9. Watching Seinfeld before bed.
10. Electric blanket and space heater in a cold, cold house.

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/27

1. Slept in
2. Good early am workout
3. Saw little Tommy at the gym!
4. More family came over for a late Christmas dinner
5. Yummy crab spread
6. Yummy Rice Pudding
7. 500 Days of Summer
8. Good conversation
9. Good hair day
10. Beer

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

How Soon is Now?

I can’t wait until 2010. I need to begin this now. Starting right this minute I will consciously be ignoring my instincts and doing the opposite. I’ll report back in 24 hours.

See more progress on: Do the Opposite

12/26

Oooh. Tough one. Let’s see if I can do this.
1. Inglorious Basterds
2. 500 Days of Summer
3. Eli Roth
4. The guy at the gym and our sideways glances
5. Great, inspired run—8 minute mile.
6. Mongolian BBQ
7. Roku
8. Peppermint Tea
9. Overboard
10. Getting through this day.

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/25

1. Christmas
2. Sister
3. Giving
4. Father
5. Rockband
6. Hisui
7. Bailey’s
8. Tempura
9. Wolfie
10. Home

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/24

1. It’s Christmas Eve!
2. My sister is on her way!
3. I painted my fingernails … pink!
4. A Christmas Story.
5. Charlie Brown Christmas.
6. The best Christmas movie ever, Mickey’s Christmas Carol.
7. Homemade hot chocolate.
8. A workout with Maya—Wii’s My Fitness Coach.
9. Have 50 extra bucks!
10. Tomorrow is Christmas! I get to see my dad!

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/23

1. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve—although it used to mean a lot more when I was a kid, I’m still excited. Could also be that…
2. ...my sister is coming tomorrow!!!!!
3. Cleaned the whole house! I’m ready!
4. Talked to my pops. We’re on for Christmas (but we got the same gift for my sister! Aack!).
5. Tomorrow is also the final check in day for my private goals, and we’ll see if I’ll be able to check that off as accomplished. Well, I already know I will because I already exceeded most of the goals, and hit all the other ones. But it’s still fun to have it be official!
6. Played Mario Party 8 on the Wii!
7. Walked for two hours at the gym -low key workout since I’m feeling like I may have a cold coming on- and watched Glee!
8. Because the gym was so empty, I got to try all the weight machines I always wanted to, but was too shy/in a hurry/they were occupied. Yay! And, they were awesome.
9. Baked some Cherry-Almond muffins. Not the tastiest ever, but I still love baking.
10. Discovered I really really like tomato soup with a little provolone and italian spices. Yummy! No sickness for me, thank you!

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

Just saw this...

...have to do this. Brilliant. I’m ALWAYS talking about how I want to start drawing comics, and what better way to do it than in American Splendor fashion? Draw one panel to go with the mundane and the exciting not so mundane details of my day to day life.

Loves it.

Will begin in 2010.

See more progress on: Draw my day

Yes!

I’m already a journaler (is that even a word?), and I’ve been finding my entries lately to be very stale. What a fun way to chronicle 2010—limited to one sentence summations. I will allow myself to expound emotionally whenever I feel it is necessary as I do use the journal as a tool to calm down my overactive brain, so if there is a night when my journal is less a place to reflect, and more a place to project, then I will allow myself that freedom. Otherwise I may not get to sleep that night. I think I will really enjoy this one if I can do it well. It’s almost like writing a haiku…hey, maybe I’ll allow myself that freedom, too. If on a day I really want to stretch my brain and be creative I’ll allow myself three lines, 5-7-5 syllable sentences, to describe my day. Oooh. Fun!

See more progress on: reflect daily in a 'one sentence' journal

12/22

1. Talked to my sister on the phone for hours!
2. Will see my sister in two days!
3. Got a lot of organizing done!
4. Day 2 of Christmas break.
5. Nappy
6. Saw my boy at the gym again!
7. Cheated and saw on Amazon.com that my sister got me the Twin Peaks DVDs!!!!!!
8. Listened to a lot of Conor.
9. Knew the Final Jeopardy answer—”Don’t Tread on Me.” Two of the three contestants didn’t know it. I win.
10. Tomorrow is Wednesday and I get to workout to Glee!

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

If every instinct I have is wrong

then the opposite has to be right. In the year 2010 I will use the concept of the Opposite to guide my life. I’ll check in weekly to make sure it’s effective, but 2009 found me depressed, lonely, stressed, and very angry, so I would really like to start with the opposite of those. How to do that? Do the opposite. It’s easy.

See more progress on: Do the Opposite

12/21

Piece of cake.
1. Found the battery charger for my camera that is quite literally irreplaceable. Yes! The power of deduction.
2. Organized all my clothes and have two donation bags: one for the thrift stores and one for my sister! Now my closet is less cluttered!
3. PAINTED!!!! Fuck me it felt soooo good.
4. Worked out and watched House. Perfect combo.
5. Organized most of the crap in my room—will finish tomorrow!
6. Listened to some old mix tapes that ruled my world.
7. Finally had some ahem private time. It’s very important.
8. Found a sweet picture of my old, now deceased dog from last Christmas. sigh Topped the tree with it. Made my damn day.
9. My U.O. order came in the mail…and…
10. My New Years outfit is complete and OH SO AMAZING! I truly can put together a smashing outfit. I blow my own mind. I can’t wait for the party.

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

Test

12/20

1. Wizard of Oz
2. Hardcore workout
3. 5 more days until Christmas!
4. Organized my last semester, and put it away forever.
5. Paring down my big goals for 2010
6. Moved all electronic school stuff to a portable hardrive. To be put away forever.
7. My sister is coming in 4 days!
8. SNL
9. Yummy pasta dish.
10. My official Days off/vacation begins tomorrow!!!!

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

Day 37

Because of all I accomplished last week, this week I pretty much stayed the same. But, staying the same is okay seeing as I’ve met or exceeded all of my goals. Well, except one, but it’s almost met, and I have four more days to reach it. I’ve got it. I’ve got it!!

See more progress on: Accomplish my private goals in 41 days

12/19

Wow! What a great day!
1. Last day of make-ups for my bad night of eating the other day.
2. Good workout, despite the crowd.
3. Dyed and trimmed my own hair—and it looks beautiful!
4. Rediscovered a pair of old jeans that still look boss.
5. Got a lot of work around the house done.
6. Made some yummy muffins!
7. My skin is looking refreshed and revived. Like it has never known stress.
8. A Clockwork Orange
9. Did my last little bit of school stuff so now I’m really and completely done done.
10. Only 5 more days until my sister comes!

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/18

1. WINTER BREAK!!!!!!!!!!
2. Finished all my school work!
3. Ducked out a little early from work to exercise my control.
4. Did not talk to the bitch.
5. Brennan got an A++ on his math final, and a B on his art final!
6. I’m set to get all A’s for my semester.
7. Decent workout—the soreness is finally going away.
8. There’s an amazing gal at the gym who works her ASS off! She is totally inspirational, although she shames my meager attempt at ab exercises. Sheesh.
9. Started reading “The Pianoplayers” by Anthony Burgess.
10. It’s FRIDAY!

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/17

Forget it! I just wrote a long list after my very negative day trying to spin the negativity into good, and of course, it’s a glass half empty kind of day because my browser fucked up and all of my writing was gone. So fuck it. Today I’m just negative and there is nothing more to say. Back to positivity again tomorrow I guess. Hopefully.

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/16

1. First round of Brennan’s finals done!
2. Samuel.
3. LAST DAY OF MY CLASSES!!!! ALL A’S!!!!
4. Unbelievable abbreviated workout due to time constraints—400 calories in 30 minutes!
5. Beer.
6. Meeting with Gee went well.
7. Cookies, twix, and Butterfinger.
8. Alex’s eyes…
9. Lips…
10. Smile.

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/15

1. 10 days until Christmas and until my sister comes to visit!
2. Three more days of work left—and their school-days are all minimum days for finals. YAY yay!
3. Only one more day left of classes for my school!!!
4. My outfit was cute today (“Are you a teacher?”)
5. I watched one of my boys perform in a Winter concert tonight. He played clarinet. It was very cute.
6. 190 calorie meal of Sole from Trader Joes. Unheard of. And so yummy.
7. Super-intense workout. Especially the weight-lifting portion. Yowza.
8. Heard from my old buddy from Oakland, Jose today.
9. Closed out another class tonight! Pretty sure I’ll be getting an A in there.
10. Zach is beautiful.

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/14

1. Last week of work/school until January/February!!!!!! (a million exclamation points wouldn’t be enough)
2. I was a shoulder to cry on, a listener to a friend.
3. The 7th grade art teacher complimented my artwork (it is pretty fucking boss)
4. Revised all of my papers and finals due this week, but most of them were great as-is! Yay me!
5. Mr. Hart is super hot. I won’t see him after this term for 9 weeks, so that’s a bummer, but I don’t get tired of looking at him while he’s there.
6. Alex is beautiful, not hot, beautiful. I sit by him in class and it takes every bit of my resolve not to grab him and kiss him—his neck, his hands, his shoulder, his lips. They all cry out for my touch.
7. My final presentation for one class went pretty well—and that class is now over forever! YES!
8. Super cute outfit for me today. Dunno how I came up with it, but it was truly inspired.
9. Also, Alex has these amazing doe-like eyes that are so complicated and enigmatic. I want to deconstruct and analyze their beauty scientifically while at the same time taking a brush and paint to the canvas and capturing their numerous facets. sigh Nothing like a great face.
10. Peppermint tea (Larry).

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/13

1. Woke up early, did my weekly goal check-in, and exceeded many/most of my goals!
2. SNL
3. Yummy Trader Joes coffee.
4. Early workouts are funtastic! Empty gym all to myself (except no cutie boy to motivate me).
5. After my workout, a young gentleman was flirting with me—and I flirted back! Totally not interested in him, but I picked up some good pointers for when I work up the nerve to talk to my boy, i.e. “How was your workout? Do you live around here? Do you like living around here? You’re dedicated coming on a Sunday. What kind of workout do you do? Do you have a card?”...and on and on.
6. A bustling library full of other students frantically preparing for the end of the semester, the air thick with stress and panic. Oh there’s no better way to feel a part of a community than at a college during finals. So much fun.
7. I got about 90% of my work done. One more take home exam to complete, and some screws need tightening on my papers, but otherwise I’m free and clear and under control. Like the acne medication.
8. Stuffed Red Peppers from Trader Joes.
9. Printed output from a looooong days work. So satisfying holding all of those words in your hands.
10. Feeling all prolific and whimsical when reflecting on a long, but very good day.

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

Day 28

Holy crap! I already exceeded one benchmark today, which means I get to alter the goal to an even better outcome. I’m reaching all of the other goals as well, steady as she goes. I’m very proud of myself, and very excited that this method is working. I think I will make this short-term-goal process a new thing. I’m really liking the routine of it, as well as the weekly check-in rush I get. It’s like Christmas morning every Sunday. I can’t wait to wake up and assess the goal progress.

See more progress on: Accomplish my private goals in 41 days

12/12

1. Saw cutie-boy at the gym. He always makes my workouts more focused and intense.
2. My other computer isn’t broken like I thought. It turned on today! My music files are safe!
3. Got soooooo much homework done, and I followed my schedule to the minute. I am very proud of myself. I hope I have the same focus and dedication tomorrow.
4. Slept in until 8:00 AM! Woo hoo!
5. Got a Christmas tree, Charlie Brown-like, and made it beautiful.
6. Spent some time with moms. Although we bicker, she still is my mommy.
7. Bought a back scrubber, felt so good in the shower, but would trade it for Morrissey any day: “Do you have a vacancy for a back scrubber?”
8. Added another town to my list of maybes for when I graduate and move: Oakland/Alameda (again). I miss my old home.
9. Had a yummy power smoothie at Jamba Juice (although I paid for a medium and it turned out they gave me the small. Oh well! Less calories)
10. I’m halfway done with the final assignments for the semester! One more day of hard work tomorrow and I’ll be done!

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

ARGH!

So, I’m seeing this guy nearly every day. I’m there nearly every day, and he’s there nearly every day. It’s killing me. He’s like my male counterpart. BUT I cannot find a way to even smile at him. Why? Three reasons. One is pride. He recently had the opportunity to do his cardio on a machine near me, but instead he chose one in the back. When I think someone’s cute I go near where they are. Second reason is that he always has his ipod on. How the heck am I supposed to talk to him if he’s never available? Wearing earbuds is like being in a totally different dimension. I know I don’t want to be bothered when my earbuds are in. Third reason is I can’t really tell how old he is. He might actually be pretty young. It’s so hard to tell because I know I look really young for my age, so it’s difficult for me to gauge other’s ages. Grrrr. None of this should be stopping me. I think he may be starting to take notice of me, but who really knows? Any advice out there? I am so useless when it comes to this stuff.

See more progress on: bulid up the nerve to talk to the guy at the gym;)

12/11

1. Read some Walt Whitman
2. Painted some more today!
3. The Christmas party that I didn’t really want to go to was canceled.
4. 3 hour nap.
5. Bought some new boots, a cool tux jacket, new purse, and sunglasses from U.O. with my grandma Christmas money! YAY yay!
6. It’s Friday!
7. Only one more week of work/school before a nice 2 week break!
8. Got a weekend homework plan all ready to implement tomorrow and Sunday.
9. Got a cleaning plan for the weekend, too!
10. December 31st is only 20 days away!!! New years, here I come!

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/10

1. Got to paint in Brennan’s art class!
2. B.B. got to see me without getting to talk to me. HA!
3. 3 hour nap.
4. Taco salad.
5. GREAT workout.
6. Laundry (nothing like clean socks and undies)
7. Vita-tops. Yum!
8. Finishd some HW
9. Orange-vanilla power smoothie at my gym.
10. Watching Baseball tonight, while running, with no sound.

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/09

1. Played hooky.
2. Got a lot of homework done.
3. Returned my dress and found two beautiful new dresses to choose from! The one I chose is so unique and fabulous.
4. Got a needed extension on an assignment, as did the entire class.
5. This morning, before I had eaten anything, or let the coffee bloat my stomach up at all, I saw the beginnings of some abs, baby!
6. I liked looking at Alex in class tonight (and most nights). I think I have a crush.
7. Thought up some fun projects to do over my break from work and school. Lots of writing, painting, and reading!
8. My skin is starting to look almost radiant!
9. Made yummy cinnamon raisin bread french toast for breakfast.
10. A trip to Urban Outfitters for me is like a trip to Disneyland for a 5 year old girl with a princess complex. Happy day at UO!

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/09

1. Dr.’s “G” don’t seem to hate me—so far.
2. I think I’m going to make this credential debacle work and be okay. Tomorrow is “Let’s Make a Deal” time.
3. Got burned, scalded really, by some hot water. Why is that positive? I dunno. Pain is good.
4. All my Christmas presents are wrapped and under the tree! Christmas shopping is over!
5. Found out that my previous student loan has been deferred since I’m back in school, so that’s 80 more bucks in my pocket this month!
6. Got my New Years dress in the mail today—hideous. Why is this positive? Because Urban Outfitters lets you return items in the store, so I can go return it for free, try on some things, if I don’t like anything in store at least I get an immediate refund. I’m down. Thank you, U.O.
7. Good, sexy dreams last night.
8. Hooky tomorrow.
9. As Merle Haggard said, “If we make it through December, everything’s gonna be alright, I know.” Only 1.5 weeks left until end of term/semester, and I’m on Winter break!
10. Wolf Kahn.

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/7

1. Not as cold as I thought it was going to be.
2. Radical hairstyle.
3. Get to still be a part-time coach with the High School softball team. Basically a BP pitcher, but I’ll take it!
4. Mr. Hart still is hot.
5. I just google searched “mr. hart” and was relieved to find many other “mr. hart”s. He will not discover my secret crush (he’s married).
6. My body is starting to really take shape. I’m so excited! Next year’s goal of having defined abs is definitely a reality!
7. Really good workout.
8. Class wasn’t all that bad tonight—tomorrow and Wednesday are the real tests, though.
9. 2nd to last week of school—both work and school school! Yeah!
10. Credits from Netflix for movies they thought I lost that I returned! Yay more money!

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

Another one

This one is not necessarily a knockout like the other two, but I see him just about every day. I go 6 times a week, and I see him at least 4 of those 6, and we seem to be on similar schedules. I haven’t gotten the best look at him, but every time he’s there I grow more and more intrigued because it’s like we’re the same types of people. I definitely think I’ll be able to make some moves on this one, if only because I know I will see him again.

See more progress on: bulid up the nerve to talk to the guy at the gym;)

12/06

1. Flapjack
2. Met all of my private goals, and then some!
3. My arms are beginning to look very defined, and the strength is showing.
4. Got a lot of homework done (though not all).
5. Chose not to read certain e-mails. Don’t feel like feeling stressed.
6. Made a super yummy salad with strawberries, tangerines, and feta cheese. Yum yum.
7. Last day of dog sitting—no more late night barking dogs.
8. I dropped my laptop, but no damage was done.
9. I have plans. Lots of plans. I feel hopeful for the future, near and far.
10. Cute boy at gym. :) Made me smile. I will share it with him. Soon.

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

Day 22

Holy cow! I did really well this week, and if anything was off-track, which I don’t really think it was last week, then it’s totally back on this week! I think by day 41 I will be completely satisfied with my progress and will be able to mark this goal as complete.

See more progress on: Accomplish my private goals in 41 days

12/05

1. Ate a lot of chocolate.
2. Had a super intense workout—3 hours!
3. Took a nappy.
4. Did a lot of homework.
5. Figured out a less-caloric way to make one of my favorite foods—Kraft Macaroni and cheese. Yum yum.
6. Slept in—relatively.
7. Facial
8. Blueberry Green Tea. Oh my lord. It’s good.
9. The band LMFAO. Jesus Christ I love their stupid song La la la, or whatever it’s called.
10. Thank you Beyonce for your great videos and songs that get me through my workouts. I want to learn those dances!

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/4

Not much to today, but, I’ll try:
1. It’s Friday
2. Pretty good workout
3. E-mail back from my advisors made me stronger in my resolve to take complete control of my life. Take the power back.
4. Some TV time before beddies.
5. Yummy candies
6. Spaghettios
7. Bean and cheese burrito
8. I didn’t get sick (thought I might be this AM)
9. Free of softball coaching obligations.
10. Mason jar.

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/3

1. Housesitting fun
2. CANDY!!! Almond Joys and Heath Bars
3. Great run—I am the Firestarter.
4. Good talk with my Ma this AM.
5. Registered for classes.
6. E-mailed my professors with my terms.
7. My body is looking better and better!
8. Doggies
9. Found out that I would have more money this month, therefore bought more Christmas presents!!
10. Cookies and Cream ice cream.

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

12/2

Well, I already did something very very similar to this: list 10 grateful things for a month. I hadn’t felt that good before for a long while, and I haven’t felt good since it was over. I need to keep doing that for an indefinite amount of time—until the positivity becomes second nature. So, I begin again. Feel free to join me.
1. Brennan is the light to my day.
2. Got an A on the paper that sent me on my original downward spiral.
3. Found out some bad news: silver lining is that I’ll probably be less stressed out next semester.
4. Other positive spin to that bad news? It brings me that much closer to moving to San Diego and transferring to San Diego State.
5. My body is starting to show the work I’ve been putting into it.
6. My private goals are going pretty well.
7. 12 more days of work until Christmas Break!
8. 6 more days of classes until the first semester of my Credential program is behind me.
9. Christmas presents came from Amazon.com today—wrapped’em.
10. Glee!

See more progress on: List 10 Positive things a day

Day 15 of 41

I don’t understand it. I did very well this week. Sure, I didn’t make any real progress, but I didn’t backtrack either, and with Thanksgiving happening that’s an accomplishment! But, what I’m not understanding, is the disappointment I’m still feeling. Although I know deep down that I actually did well this week, on the surface is this lingering twinge of disappointment and failure. It’s really eating me up and depressing me. I need to get over it. I think a big part of that feeling is that because of the success of last week I set my goals way too high for this week without taking into account the Thanksgiving challenge. I obviously fell short of those goals, but like I said, I didn’t fall back either. I’m just exactly where I was last week on all my status points. Big deal. I need to move on and concentrate on making this week awesome. I don’t think it’s helping that I’m completely broke right now, too, due to Christmas and present-buying. That never helps the morale. First thing on my agenda: get over it. Seriously. I’m over it. And no more sweet stuff!

See more progress on: Accomplish my private goals in 41 days

11/26

Last one and this goal is complete. I’m kind of sad to see it go. Since this entry is one day over a month, and in honor of Thanksgiving, I will make it different. This will be a list of 10 overall things I am grateful/thankful for:
1. My mom, my dad, and my sister.
2. Beautiful men (i.e. Paul Dano, Emile Hirsch, Ryan Gosling, the guy at the gym, etc)
3. Strong women
4. Chocolate and coffee
5. The freedom to live alone or together
6. Kissing a beautiful man
7. Dogs (especially Bassett Hounds) and Birds (especially Raptors)
8. Conor Oberst and his music (and his face)
9. Dresses, boots, tweed, flannel, saddle shoes, and skinny jeans.
10. Being.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

How to list 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

"I learned a lot about myself and what I'm capable of."

How I did it: Had a little moleskine journal around with me and jotted down little slices of joy that happened throughout the day.  Some days were easier than others.  I also found that I started noticing more and more reasons to be grateful as this exercise went on.  Things stopped getting me down so much because I realized all the other good stuff that was going on, too.

Lessons & tips: Try and write as you go.  At the end of the day you may forget important things that happened.

Resources: Moleskine journal.  7th grade students.  Gold's Gym.  Chocolate, coffee, and television.  Beautiful boys.

It took me 1 month.

It made me Uplifted

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/25

Hmmmm…
1. DAY OFF!!!
2. Cleaned all day/played Mario Party 8. The best way to get any work done.
3. House is as clean as it was the day I moved in. God I love having time to just do what I want.
4. Bought the rest of my fixin’s for my solo Thanksgiving feast. Thank you Safeway for your single serving slices of pumpkin pie, and Raleys for your already cooked Turkey breasts. I will be thankful tomorrow.
5. I will especially be thankful tomorrow because I get to spend it with the men I love: Paul Dano, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Lukas Haas, Ryan Gosling, and Emile Hirsch. Rented Half Nelson, Brick, and Gigantic. Own Into the Wild. Damn I’m pathetic.
6. The dumb but sweet girl who works at the gym talked to me today. Poor young thing has a boyfriend with a 5 year old kid from a previous marriage. Yeesh. I’d like to straighten that girl out. But I am grateful that she’s employed.
7. Intense workout—perhaps too intense, but I’ll live.
8. Watched Glee during my workout!
9. Saw an interesting boy working out who also keeps track of his reps and weight. No one else there does that I see. This guy was kind of cute, too. Hmmm…
10. No work or school again tomorrow!!!! Movies! Food! Rest!

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

New Years Resolution

This is actually a New Years Resolution, and will be my next challenge, but I’ve decided to not QUIT chocolate, but challenge myself to not eat any form of chocolate for several months. I haven’t yet decided the actual timeframe that I will challenge myself, but I won’t begin the clock until after I get back from my New Years extravaganza. Maybe I’ll choose 1 full semester of no chocolate. That’s a good, solid amount of time that has a clear beginning and end. Yeah. I like that. It’ll be hard, but I need to get control of this addiction. Just not right now. I would be insane to think I could do it now, in the midst of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. HA! But, in 2010, there will be a long vacation from it, and hopefully a new respect will be gained.

See more progress on: Take a break from chocolate

10/25

1. Slept in until 8:30
2. My bangs looked really good
3. Found $3.00 in my bedroom
4. Got a lot of homework done
5. Had a really great workout
6. Went to dinner with my mom
7. Found a reasonably healthy choice on a very unhealthy menu.
8. Watched a weird movie
9. Fell in love with Paul Dano (again)
10. Received the sweetest e-mail from a friend who was thinking of me

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

Tough today

It was tougher to be positive at the beginning of the day because all of the kids I work with were saying very negative things about my new hair, but without further ado, positivity:
1. Saw Mason Jar in the AM
2. Got my packages mailed
3. Heard Van Halen’s “Want One” on the Radio
4. Got to be “DJ” in PE
5. Am adored by an eighth grade boy who is so unique and brilliant that it’s an honor that he reveres me.
6. Never felt hungry, never over-ate
7. Found a dollar and bought a soda
8. Watched a really cool doc in my credential class called “King Gimp.”
9. Ryan and Alex made me happy.
10. Alex and I drew a totally amazing picture together in another one of my credential classes.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

10/27

The morning was easy, but later in the day it got harder to be positive due to stress.
1. I received a hug from a special needs student, and I believe he was signing “I love you” to me.
2. Another student came up to me to report about another student, “You know Miles is flirting with you.” It was cute.
3. Received an E-mail from the only man in my sphere whom I find worth pursuing.
4. Received a compliment about my outfit from an unlikely source.
5. Good hair day (despite the raging wind and continual negativity from others to the color change)
6. $25.00 one way fares on Southwest
7. Another boy with special needs drew me the sweetest pictures!
8. My skin looked better today.
9. I received a sweet compliment from a classmate.
10. Had a super awesome run at the gym.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

10/28

Continuing to be hard, but seeing the benefits already
1. Found $5.00 on the ground (what’s with me finding money?!)
2. Bought a coffee with that $5.00
3. Brennan was adorable
4. Skin continuing to improve
5. I’m someone’s Rushmore
6. Ate a lot of sugar and didn’t worry about it.
7. Had a good conversation with my professor
8. Found a good parking spot
9. Commiserated with a colleague
10. Wasn’t bothered too much in class

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

10/29

1. Good Hair day
2. Good outfit day
3. Skin still sort of improving
4. My shoes don’t hurt my feet as much as when I first bought them
5. Checked out a book on Chagall
6. A sweet boy drew a picture of a Moogle for me
7. Brennan asked after I hiccupped, “Hiccups?”
8. Figured out most of my Christmas presents
9. Got some homework done
10. Good run

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

10/30

1. Kept my cool in a not-so-cool situation.
2. When Brennan asked when I would return to a class, and I said not until next term, he said, “Oh. My. Lord.”
3. Skin still improving.
4. My hair is looking awesome (even though one kid still says I look scary)
5. Good day working in PE—felt I accomplished a lot.
6. Remained a professional through a second tough situation.
7. Got a lot of homework done.
8. Project Runway (although my boy Logan is gone)
9. The Misadventures of Flapjack!
10. Had a good run considering I was pretty pooped already.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

10/31

1. Woke up motivated to CLEAN!
2. Organized my closet
3. Cole Hamels
4. Mario Party 8
5. Slept in until 8:00
6. Had the house to myself
7. Had a good run
8. Made my mom happy
9. Skin on the up and up!
10. It’s Halloween!

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/01

I didn’t take notes this day, so it may be difficult to remember 10…
1. It’s November!
2. Only two months left of this semester, and half of those are vacation time!
3. Good run, good post-workout smoothie.
4. 5 2 L diet Cherry Dr. Pepper for $5.00.
5. Made super-yummy pasta
6. Got a huge chunk of homework done!
7. Felt fully at ease for the first time in a long time.
8. Skin is getting ridiculously better. With less stress comes happier skin.
9. Found out no class on Monday!
10. DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BABY!

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/02

1. Good outfit today
2. Successfully ignored those who I wanted to ignore
3. Skin getting better still.
4. Well-rested
5. Worked out even though I wasn’t completely “feeling it.”
6. Got my paper written well enough.
7. Chase Utley
8. Arranged successfully my day off for Wednesday
9. No school today!
10. Phillies win—World Series will continue!

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/03

1. Skin is almost back to normal.
2. Bought some fudgecicles
3. Almost have my work-life organized and in control.
4. Received the Anthropologie catalogue today.
5. The science teacher is fun to look at
6. Paul fucking Dano
7. Being asked if I’m a student by high school kids at a high school. Yes! I look 10 years younger than my actual age!
8. Miles reassuring me that our relationship is strictly platonic. So cute!
9. Found a good parking spot!
10. Wasn’t TOO miserable in my class.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/04

1. Played hooky. Soooo bad.
2. Baked and baked and baked. All healthy.
3. Finished all the homework for one class.
4. Took control of everything.
5. Got to watch some “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” episodes
6. Ran off all the excess calories I consumed in my weak moment yesterday.
7. Put some books up for sale—one already sold.
8. Had interesting dreams.
9. Felt overall better in general.
10. Watched the World Series (or watching. Hoping it’ll go to game 7)

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/05

1. “Is that a teacher?”
2. Good workout
3. Talked on the phone with my sister for 3 hours
4. E-mailed a teacher to help with an assignment
5. A friend posted funny old pictures of me on Facebook.
6. Made a HUGE sale on Half.com
7. Skin
8. My muffins are terrific. Almost too good.
9. Egg in a mug.
10. Alley-cat.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/06

1. AM conversation with my Max Fischer.
2. The kids taunting Max while walking, “Even in the morning?”
3. Early duck out to see a movie
4. Project Runway—the right three were chosen.
5. Running at Gold’s Gym to Harry Potter.
6. Totally in control of my food intake again.
7. Skin
8. Although my alarm failed to go off, I still managed to wake up in time for work.
9. Did some tough-love for a student, and I think it paid off.
10. Work-life = in control.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/07

1. Got CPR certified—I will save a life in these two years.
2. Unabashedly flirted with a fella, just to challenge myself. Way too young for me, but it’s good to know I’ve still got it.
3. Took a nap.
4. Input some important nutrition data.
5. Did some great weight training.
6. Had a good run
7. Random kitty at my house-gave it a good pet-named it Mozzy.
8. Made a super yummy smoothie after my workout
9. Discovered my car insurance is way less money a month than I thought.
10. Ate two oreos, my favorite food in the entire world. I sure wish they didn’t make me fat or I’d eat them everyday all day.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/08

1. Slept in until 8:00
2. Had a great workout
3. Watched SNL, and Taylor Swift didn’t make me want to kill myself.
4. Watched “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and laughed myself silly.
5. Took a little nap.
6. Mashed Sweet Potatoes. Oh my yum.
7. Egg, spinach, garlic, swiss cheese, and Avocado. Does it get better than that?
8. Realized my homework assignments were lame and vowed to do them last minute (no I do not have a procrastination goal).
9. Painted my nails pink.
10. Used my nutrition/workout software again—finally.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/09

1. Hiccups?
2. Got my homework DONE!
3. Got my important mail mailed.
4. Good mood generally all day looooooong.
5. Pretty good hair day.
6. Stuck to my diet pretty successfully.
7. B.B.
8. He e-mailed me back.
9. I think he likes me.
10. I think he’s on the verge of asking me out.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/10

Not the best day today…not sure why. 10 things will be tough.
1. E-mailed B.B. back.
2. Good hair day.
3. Green Tea = yumfest
4. Miles made me smile, despite myself
5. First month of B.C. done, so hormones should be calming down, skin should be returning to normal.
6. Great fall weather day.
7. Pretty decent class
8. Met with my professor after class and had a good one-on-one session.
9. Ate some meatloaf, despite the diet. It’s okay.
10. Read my Lucky magazine.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/11

1. Veterans Day—day OFF!!
2. Really really really good workout
3. Matt Damon in Oceans 11. Thank you.
4. Skin better than yesterday.
5. Amazon.com processed my return. Wow.
6. Trader Joes prices.
7. The Smiths
8. Not doing much of anything, and that being alright.
9. Bridget Jones Diary
10. Glee!

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/12

1. Brennan.
2. Chocolate Covered Pretzels
3. Urban Outfitters catalog
4. Smiles for Miles
5. Self-determination
6. Lunch in my car
7. Random pop-dance-tunes to run to and laugh at
8. Chocolate covered booze cherries
9. Working out and then realizing I have a little more left in me, and using it.
10. The Misadventures of Flapjack!

oh! and 11. Amazon.com already processed my return and gave me my money, so I must add that!! They are the fastest best company of all time. I won’t starve this month thanks to them and their efficiency.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/13

1. I played hooky again. Oops!
2. I probably had the best workout of my life.
3. Workout helped in part by Kings of Leon for their Uber-sexy “Use Somebody” video. Yowza!
4. 4 hour-long conversation with the sister.
5. Sister WILL be here for Christmas, and she WILL be taking me back with her for New Years! Party in San Diego!
6. Found an old tape I made with movie lines on it. Hilarious.
7. Did I mention my awesome workout? What about the chocolate covered cherries with booze in’em? There we go. That’s 7.
8. Watched Project Runway today.
9. Organized my bathroom.
10. It’s FRIDAY!!!!

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/14

1. Oh my. A pint of Phish Food. Oh my.
2. Early to bed and naptime.
3. Great workout.
4. Mongolian BBQ.
5. Thought of a potential Plan B for one of my goals.
6. Looking forward to tomorrow.
7. Selling some more stuff.
8. Skin better than expected.
9. Made some great spreadsheets.
10. I saw an OWL!!!

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/15

First of all, let me preface by saying, “What a great day!”
1. Woke up pumped for my 41 day challenge. I accomplished every mini-goal in that big goal for today.
2. SNL was especially hilarious. I laughed out loud several times. Kristen Wiig and Jason Sudekis are geniuses of comedy.
3. Saw a hot guy at the gym for once—if I see him again, I will smile at him.
4. “Hands off!” was a pretty big success.
5. Got my paper written, last minute, just like I wanted.
6. Sold some more stuff via Ebay, and I will be getting those Dolce Vita boots once the money is deposited through paypal!!!
7. My sister got me my plane ticket home for after my trip to San Diego for New Years!!!
8. Planned out this week’s outfits, and I have some really good looks in the rotation this week! I’m excited!
9. Baked a frittata, made some pasta all in preparation for lunches this week. Frugal and stress-free!
10. I dunno—I just feel really effing GREAT!! Hope this lasts!

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/16

1. Made another sale! I’m halfway to my Dolce Vita boots!
2. My private goals are going smashingly!
3. Felt really good this morning. I seem to be back to the usual, old me!
4. Went braless—so liberating.
5. Mr. Hart is hot (but kind of a dick)
6. Had a really cool workout right after work where I went from work, to gym, to the shower, to school. It was an experience.
7. I love seeing all of the other powerful women at the gym. They help reinforce my goals. Go get’em ladies.
8. Totally in control—of everything! Or so it seems.
9. Great workout playlist.
10. Doodling in class and getting completely lost in them.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/17

1. Brennan’s art got picked for the art show!
2. My skin is about 80% back to normal!!!!!! Woo hoo!
3. Smiles for Miles
4. I don’t hate everyone in my class anymore. :)
5. Great run!
6. Right on target with my schoolwork.
7. I am eligible to transfer to San Diego State next year if I so choose…hmmm.
8. Decision made to coach softball—I think.
9. No early class tomorrow!
10. Only 5 more workdays/2 more schooldays until Thanksgiving break. Woo HOO!!!!!!!!!

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/18

It was actually a pretty bad day considering some of the bad stuff that happened, and yet at the end of it I’m still smiling and positive. Wow. That’s quite a change in me.
1. Sleep in/slow down for Wednesday late start.
2. Hair/outfit/makeup looked awesome!
3. Came a little bit closer to deciding about my transfer situation to SDSU—definitely at this point am going to at least apply.
4. Smiled a lot (for most of the day)
5. At the one chunk of my day that I let stress temporarily bring me down, Miles told me that he has a girlfriend now. Woo hoo! Go Miles!
6. Thought up a really cool idea for my final project for one of my classes—now if I can just pull it off…
7. Finished a paper for a different class.
8. My friend made me a mix-tape.
9. That same friend invited me to Thanksgiving with his family, and although I probably won’t be able to go because it will offend my mom too much, the gesture was lovely.
10. I saw a falling star and frantically wished upon it.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/19

1. Cool hairstyle today.
2. Skin = more awesome
3. Back to the gym!
4. Resisted the evil doughnuts.
5. That bad situation wasn’t that bad—yet.
6. Only one more day of school and 3 more days of work until vacation!
7. Went up in weight for bench press. I’m getting stronger!
8. Got some good work done at the library with my partner for the assignment. Go responsibility!
9. Miles in the writing club.
10. Season finale Project Runway!

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/20

1. Chose to ignore an e-mail that would have undoubtedly caused stress.
2. Choice of professional, yet unique outfit for my job evaluation.
3. Sitting in the office of the Vice Principal like a kid in trouble before my evaluation.
4. Not worrying at all about the evaluation—“I’m not too worried about it.”
5. Good evaluation = permanent status.
6. The bad situation, and ignored e-mail from earlier, turned out okay. ALL behind me now.
7. Mason was a sweetheart.
8. Was cold and tired when I came home, so took a two-hour nap.
9. Glee and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
10. It’s FRIDAY!!!!!

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/21

1. Sleeping. Lots of sleeping.
2. Great workout.
3. Expert grocery shopping.
4. Yummy cereal with banana.
5. Lazy day.
6. Sandlot.
7. South Park.
8. Diet Dr. Pepper
9. Kings of Leon videos (Caleb Followill)
10. It’s the weekend.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/22

1. Usual Sunday AM routine of SNL and coffee—only today it featured Joseph Gordon Levitt! Love him!
2. Met and exceeded all of my mini-goals for the week.
3. At the gym, Pearl Jam’s Jeremy came on just at a peak moment in my running and made my workout that much more intense.
4. Did most of my homework at the library!
5. Saw a beautiful Hawk while at my school. It was just there and not afraid. It was amazing.
6. Got a speeding ticket on my way home—I know I’m not supposed to be grateful for the ticket, and I’m not, but I am grateful that there are police that keep us safe. I screwed up, not the copper.
7. Talked to my daddy on the phone.
8. Watched “In the Bedroom” with cutie-pie Nick Stahl. Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek did such an amazing acting job. Wow.
9. Sugar-free Hot Cocoa
10. Short, two-day week ahead of me!

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/23

Only a couple more of these left, and I’ll complete my month. I’ve decided to make my last entry on Thanksgiving. I’ll be sad to see this goal completed. I’ve really enjoyed this exercise.
1. Bought items to help with my private goals. Needed help with some control issues.
2. No school!!!
3. Halfway done with the work-week.
4. No awkwardness at work yet after my announcement that I could not be an assistant coach. We’ll see if anything happens tomorrow.
5. Brennan gets more and more adorable every day. If I miss anything from this year’s experience doing the work I do it will be him.
6. And Miles. Miles and Brennan I am grateful for. I will do all I can to keep tabs on them throughout their school careers.
7. Good workout. Even if it wasn’t as intense as yesterday.
8. The Big Bang Theory and House.
9. My money was deposited! Woo hoo! I can eat again!
10. Peppermint tea with a dash of vanilla extract. Yum yum in my tum tum.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month

11/24

1. Ate too much sweet stuff. Or was it?
2. Got my homework all done in time for vacation!
3. Last day of work/school before vacation!
4. Brennan was so adorable and sweet and innocent today that I actually teared up. Having autism, he had no idea.
5. Got to duck out early at work, which made everything a lot cooler.
6. Mr. Hart is fucking hot. I’m sorry. But he is. Hot. Really hot. Damn marriage and its farce of an institution!
7. No workout today :( but I’m grateful that I can give my body the rest that it SUPPOSEDLY needs, and make that time productive in other ways.
8. Shots of whipped cream from a can when no one’s looking.
9. Although everyone was exponentially getting on my nerves in class tonight, it was a good class. I learned quite a bit for once.
10. Did I mention the cookies? COOKIES!!!!! I love them.

See more progress on: List 10 Grateful Things everyday for a Month