Summer 2010 Plans

Just when I thought my life would slow up and I could enjoy the summer, it arrived and I'm not ready.

I've only managed to get one thing done so far: wrote an article for a journal.

And it seems summer will be over before I know it. At least my summer will be. In D.C. for about two weeks to hang w/fam and friends. Then to Chicago to do more of the same. Considering a trip to Denver for the AEJMC conference. Then back to Cairo for the 2010-11 academic year.

Here's what I hope to squeeze in over the next few weeks:

• Reading "The Great Negro Plot" by Mat Johnson (reading group's summer read)
• Begin to write a movie script
• Write an e-book
• Update my blogs more consistently
• Workout daily

That should be plenty, right?

My Resolve in '10

I'm reflecting on reaching some of my recent goals. I managed to tackle the travel component on last year's list even with my move to Cairo from the U.S. Probably because of my move to Cairo. As for the language, well, let's just say I swapped learning Spanish for learning Arabic instead.

Now, we're six months into 2010 and I'm just now getting around to posting my goals for the year. I'd made the list, but life got in the way and I never posted it. I was hopeful that when I went back to check it out that I'd have already accomplished at least one thing on this list. That doesn't seem to be the case. But there's still time, right?

Seems most of these are sort of work related:

1. Produce an audio documentary. I've been working toward this one. I have all of my interviews and I just need to put it together.

2. Produce a feature for World Vision Report. I need a good, strong story for this one. And although Cairo is full of interesting stories, many of the stories have already been told. I'll need to think on this one a bit longer, but it is going to happen.

3. Workout for 20-30 minutes at least four times each week. I haven't yet achieved this goal consistently. Though I can say that I often work out for 40 minutes, two days a week. Not the same ... I've discovered Motion Traxx for motivating, uptempo music (with some narration).

4. Publish an article in a journal. This is work related and on my goals list for work too. But I've partially completed some interesting research on "30 Rock". Looking to add a bit more to what I have and find a publishing platform.

5. Publish an eBook. I was reading Chris Brogan and Julien Smith's "Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust". There was a suggestion about give back what you learn by creating an eBook. That's what I'm gonna do.

That's all for now. Actually, that's plenty. Happy belated 2010 to me. Living my life and loving it.

Looking Back on my 2008 Goals

It's time for a bit of reflection and I do mean just a bit. Because it is full steam ahead for your girl in '09.

Here's the list that I created for last year's goals:

• snowboarding lesson - I did not get around to this, but I got really close
  
• travel (by airplane) to at least two cities I have never been to before - I did not do this either but I did not have a travel budget for '08
  
• run a 5K (at least) - I did do this sort of, I walked
  
• Get published in Cards magazine! and other craft related publications - I did do this. I was published twice in Cards magazine
• Spend less and less often
• This is a big one; I want to shop less. I can do that, but I like fresh fruit and veggies, so that will be the only exception. For my own sake, I will have to more clearly define this one - I managed to pull this one off, but that's what happens when the cash flow is low. I use coupons on nearly all purchases and most items are on sale
  

• Get my mental act together
• This really means: do not allow other peoples negative actions to affect me emotionally - ooooommmmmmmm - this one came to me about mid-year when I had to do me and make no amends, it seemed selfish, but I was also happier and proud
  

• Do Pilates at least once a week - I started off real well on this one, but being cash strapped, something had to go; I did walk and rollerblade and do the steps, so exercise remained high on my list
  

• Meditate for at least 5-10 minutes first thing in the morning - unfortunately I did not stick to this one. I'd like to give it another try, but I don't think that I will make it a goal
  

That's it for me ... tomorrow I will post the resolution list for 2009. It won't be lofty, just some fun things to do.

Feeling like I'm making progress

So I've been a bit of a busy body lately.

For some reason, I've gotten into the bad habit of staying up late - like 2 a.m.; then I usually get up by 9 a.m. I need more sleep and as a result I usually end up taking a nap. But I've had a few napless days lately.

Here's what I've managed to accomplish:

• Went grocery shopping
  
• 30 minute walk through the neighborhood (lots and lots of hills; almost got bitten by a dog and almost got hit by a car-twice)
• awesome Pilates class on Tuesday morning (another class tomorrow afternoon)
• completing the semester; graded final projects; completed grading for one course
• made lots and lots of cards (for submission, of course)
• walked to the nearby shopping district to get some shopping done (very refreshing; just can't buy what you can't carry)
• started working on my next article for Craft Critique
• ran the sweeper
• finished reading "After the Dance"
• paid some outstanding bills (like the cable bill where I have not received a paper bill for months; I only know that it is overdue when I receive the overdue bill - crazy)

There is more, but some of it is just too personal and I am not going there.

Keeping in Step

I am sooooo feeling myself right now. Some might think how conceited; others might think similarly as in arrogance, egotistical. But that's part of my good feeling, I am sooo unconcerned about what anyone thinks.

Like last year at about this time, I will be voluntarily out of a job in a few months. And I am okay with that. I am not on some 'find myself' mission. I've always valued happiness, but now it is top priority. I'm not seeking daily happiness; just a realistic happiness. And I enjoy the moments when I am getting more daily happiness because I just enjoy so many things. Even when things don't go so smoothly, I try to take a step back and embrace what it is. Right now it takes some effort, but I get it.

More about keeping in step. I am making inroads to my goals for this year. I am trying to get in the Spanish component - uno.

GTD - Get Things Done

So I've been merrily working on my to do list. It changes w/frequency, as it should. Here's what I've gotten done in the recent past:

• package and mail packages and letters
• return items to the store for a refund
• wash clothes
• apply for jobs (don't ask)
• grade a student's project
• pick up dry cleaning
• pick up altered jeans
• complete an in class assignment for students
• begin working on the CleveEvents list
• call ComCast re: establishing a wireless network
• review answering machine messages and return calls
• pay bills online
  

They are just little errands, but these things add up.

But I'd like to introduce you to the Getting Things Done (GTD) system. It's not something that I employ, but I'm doing my research and considering implementing this into my daily planning.

How'd the GTD info get on my radar? Listening to a segment on NPR's "All Things Considered".