Oh, Hello There

I'm pretty pitiful at blog posting. It's not even like I've been super boring lately. I've just been a slacker! For a first post back in, I think I will do an update on my yearly goals.

1. Read 50 books. 
I've made a lot of progress here since I last checked in. I have read 24 books so far this year! I have found some really great books (and some not so great ones) that will live on my shelves for years to come.

2. Run in 3 races.

I ran in the Illinois Marathon Relay on Saturday. I completed my 6.8 mile leg in 1:14:xx. This was 5 minutes faster than my training run at that distance and I kept my overall pace at just under 11min/mile, which is a big accomplishment for me since all of my training runs had me around 11:20-11:30min/mile.

I plan to run the 2 mile State Fair parade run in August and the Abe's Amble 10k on the last day of the fair. That will make 3 races for the year. I'd also like to find a 5k somewhere. We've talked about do a Chicago weekend with a race in there, so we'll see.

I'm toying with the idea of training for a half this fall. There are some things that may come up in the next couple of months that could change that, but for now I think I will start training like I am doing that.

3. Join a church.
We tried out a nondenominational Christian church a couple of weeks ago and I do not plan to ever go back. Too pushy. The experience did enlighten me as to why some people I know are how they are, though, so not a completely bad experience.

After some research, I have decided I would like to try the Episcopal church. We will likely do that next weekend. There are three in town.

4. Buy a bike and use it to commute to work.
I have enough saved to buy it and will be going sometime this month! I can't wait!

5. Complete a month long personal spending freeze.

Haven't done it yet. I'd say let's try May, but I'm buying the bike this month so...

6. Take a class for fun.
We took a 6 week long swing dance class here at work in March and April. It was a lot of fun!

7. Complete a crochet project.
Nope.

8. Go to a local theater production.
Nada.

9. Volunteer.
Need to get working on this!

10. Grow something in the garden and keep it alive.

My indoor plant died. I have a new flower in my office. Hopefully it will survive. I need to get some flowers for my porch pots soon and will probably buy a couple tomato plants at the Farmers' Market next month.

11. Eat only from the Farmers' Market for one week.

The market opens in May.

12. Try 5 new restaurants. 
I can't remember, but I don't think I have tried any new ones this year. I need to work on this! I love trying new places to eat.

1/12 of the year gone!

Now that January is over, I need to post a little progress update for my 2012 goals. I'm not really sure it's going too well, but I still have lots of time. January has been very up and down for me, so I've been slacking off. 

1. Read 50 books. 
Pitiful progress. 1 book down. I love to read, but for some reason have been getting duds. By duds, I mean books that I can't find it in my heart to finish. It has to be bad for me to not finish it. I will start a new book tonight and see where that takes me.

2. Run in 3 races.

No races ran yet, but I am all registered for the Illinois Marathon Relay on April 28. I plan to start my training very soon for my 6.5 mile leg.

3. Join a church.
I am ashamed to say that this month I have been boycotting this effort because of the pushiness of others. I need to put my big girl panties on, be a better person, and start attending again!

4. Buy a bike and use it to commute to work.
Some more money went in the savings account this week for my bicycle purchase. I am hopeful that by the time I am finished with my relay training, I will be able to buy my bike.

5. Complete a month long personal spending freeze.

I tried in January and failed. Here's hoping it stick in February!

6. Take a class for fun.
Starting a dance class tomorrow night, but since it won't be a regular thing I will likely not count it. Maybe a sewing class at JoAnn's soon?

7. Complete a crochet project.

Nope.

8. Go to a local theater production.

Still looking for one that interests me.

9. Volunteer.

My form from the library is still sitting on my desk. I need to mail that in so I can start shelving books!

10. Grow something in the garden and keep it alive.

I do now have an indoor plant...

11. Eat only from the Farmers' Market for one week.

The marker opens in May.

12. Try 5 new restaurants. 
None so far.

Crafting from Pinterest

Today I actually did something I found on Pinterest. I pin a lot of different crafts for ideas, but do not have time to get to them all. This was one that I knew I would do when I pinned it and I am so excited that it turned out as well as it did.

I took a lot of pictures in New York City but one of my favorite ones is this picture from Central Park.

I really love how the bridge reflected in the pond and the colors are just so pretty. Once I pulled it up on the computer at home, I knew I wanted to put it up in our house in some way. Then, I remember this tutorial I found on Pinterest for making your won canvas prints. Using this method, I spent way less money than I would ordering the canvas. I sprung for a high quality print from mpix.com, but found the canvas half off and had another 20% off that. Everything else I already had on hand, so I ended up spending just over $20 for a pretty 12x24 canvas print. So, here it is. The canvas sitting on our mantle.

You can see all my boards on Pinterest here.

The Little Touches

We're planning on a lot of little house projects this year and one big one. The kitchen. While we won't be completely redoing it, we are going to spend some cash on new counter tops, flooring, and back splash. If I can convince Matt, we might even tackle staining the cabinets and refacing them with new doors. Last weekend I added a couple small touches to our guest bath and I think it turned out really nicely.First, I added a hand towel ring and made the Harry Potter inspired sign. I love it, even though I know not everyone will "get" it. Then, I added shelves in the nook that is behind the door and another towel hook. All simple things that really made it look so much nicer. Oh, and just so you know, the yellow is not so bright in person. It's much softer and prettier. I can't seem to capture is accurately in photo.

I'm also slowly adding small touches to our guest bedroom/my new sewing room. I have fabrics to make curtains and a new rod. I also am scouring craigslist for a sturdy sewing table. Another slightly larger project will be painting our bedroom and bathroom, replacing all light fixtures, and framing the bathroom mirror. I can't wait to work on it all. All these little things should really add up.

Anyway, today is my last holiday until Memorial Day. The students will be back tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it. Even though I do not work directly with them, I love the atmosphere of campus when they are there.

2012

I like setting goals. I feel like they help me become a better person. Now, I don't always follow through on them, but I usually do make some progress. The beginning of a new year is a perfect opportunity for setting goals, so here are 12 things I would like to accomplish in 2012.

1. Read 50 books.
2. Run in 3 races.
3. Join a church.
4. Buy a bike and use it to commute to work.
5. Complete a month long personal spending freeze.
6. Take a class for fun.
7. Complete a crochet project.
8. Go to a local theater production.
9. Volunteer.
10. Grow something in the garden and keep it alive.
11. Eat only from the Farmers' Market for one week.
12. Try 5 new restaurants.

6 months later...

I'm still here! I guess a lot has happened in the last 6 months - new job, wonderful vacation, and a new year (happy 2012, by the way).

First, I switched jobs in September. I went from doing institutional research for state government in higher education to business and financial management for a college at an institution for higher education. I love my new job. It's more challenging, better paying, and way closer to home. I work with wonderful people and thus far have no real complaints. In another year I might even be writing about my doctoral work since I now qualify for a tuition and fee waiver (we'll see how ambitious I get!).

Next, we went on a really great vacation right after Thanksgiving. We spent 5 days in New York City. Even though we saw just about everything that we could, we will definitely need to go back in the future to experience more shows and see a few more things.  Are you ready for an absurd amount of pictures for a blog update?

Times Square

Macy's

The Empire State Building

Lower Manhattan from the Empire State Building

The Top of the Empire State Building

The Statue of Liberty

 

The Sphere and Eternal Flame that now resides in Battery Park

The 9/11 Memorial

The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall

The tree in Rockefeller Center

 

The Bull

 The Big Piano at FAO Schwarz

Central Park

 

 The Brooklyn Bridge

Since vacation we have been scrambling around. First I had a  New York City cold as soon as we returned home, then there was Christmas, then Matt started his cold, and now it's 2012. I'm looking forward to the new year and hoping it brings wonderful things. Check back later for some goals I have set for myself.

A Life Update

Since I was slacking for such a long time in the posting department, I thought I would take a moment to update you on a couple of pretty great things that happened in my life in May. First, I had the opportunity to attend a conference in San Francisco at the beginning of May. It's a great conference (I went a couple years ago when it was in D.C.). Plus, hello!, San Francisco! Hotel and travel paid for by someone else, plus a per diem. Yes, please! It was great. I was able to take a bus tour on my first travel day and walk to some other places in the afternoons and evenings during the conference days. 

One of the coolest things I did (or have ever done for that matter) was walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. It's just SO huge!

 

I also got a close up view of the painted ladies. These houses are just so pretty. I loved all the architecture in the city.

 

We stayed at an amazing hotel, just a block from Pier 39. I saw the sea lions and a great view of Alcatraz. We tried to take boat tour to the island, but were not able to get there early enough.

 

On my last day, I got up early and ran along the San Francisco Bay. I can't tell you how great that was. If I could do that every day, I would be one happy lady!

 

San Francisco will definitely be a place I visit again. There is just so much to see, experience, and EAT! The food was amazing. I would go back just for that. Anyway, when I got back, I was in hustle mode to finish my capstone paper for my Master's degree closure. Luckily, I was in good shape and was able to turn it in on time. I received an A on the paper, which I am quite proud of. Then, on May 14, I participated in the commencement ceremony and received my diploma cover. I should receive the actual diploma sometime next month. I definitely recommend that students participate in the commencement ceremony for degrees above the bachelor's. It was such a great experience because this degree was all for me. I was able to sit there and reflect on how hard I worked on something that meant so much to me. Definitely worth it. I think the picture below reflects how happy I actually was. It was a wonderful day (despite the rain) and really helped to close that part of my life on a happy note.