Operation New Girl

Commencing November 1, 2011

Confession time here. The past few months have been bad. Really bad. 

This summer changed me. Not in a good way.

But tomorrow's November. And I'm changing a few things. Here they are:

1. Start a consistent exercise program. Two things. I feel so much better when I am able to take the time to work out and to relieve a little stress. Also, I graduate in 13 months. I would love to be able to climb Humphreys, the highest mountain in Arizona, by the time I graduate. What better motivation, besides self-improvement, than to be able to say I climbed Humphreys? So I'm working out six days a week in a rotation, 2 days gym, 1 day yoga, rinse and repeat.  :) I'm going to take Sundays off. 
2. Eat healthy. I would love to say "stop eating" but I know I would get in trouble for that. Honestly, I eat really healthy as a general rule. I just eat too much. So no more bad sugar (after I finish this lollipop) and no more bad carbs. It's on.
3. Stop spending. The next few months will constitute a self-imposed spending freeze. Obviously there are necessities like food and shampoo, and Christmas gifts coming soon, but I am not allowing myself to buy anything unnecessary. I really need to get some finances in order.
4. Get over it. Yes, he broke my heart. Sometimes I still feel like I'm all tied up in knots. Sometimes I'm still not sure I can take it. But I'm through talking about it. 

Yes, there are a few smaller goals (weight loss, feeling healthier, climbing Humphreys). But the overall goal? Be a better person than I was before. Before him.

I won't let this beat me.

a world in white gets underway

Goals, Wishes, Hopes, Dreams, Desires for 2011

--You can wave goodbye to the Middle Man. Because I am making the most serious attempt of my life at banishing him completely. For years I've pushed myself to the back, put myself on the sidelines, on the back burner, and let people dictate my life in the interest of keeping them happy. I end up taking care of everyone. Which is fine, because that's my personality. Until the line is crossed. This last year was the last time for me. I'm through being in the middle, because you can't win for losing in that position. If I try to help, I get shot down. If I keep quiet, everyone screams "Where were you?" And I can't handle that anymore. I can't solve everyone's problems at the expense of my sanity. I'm still the same person, and I still love to help. If you have a problem, please come to me. But I'm not crossing that line anymore. It's exhausting. I can't be expected to swoop in and save the day, especially when no one communicates with me unless I've done something wrong or haven't done enough. They have people that get paid to solve your problems, and I suggest giving them a call. Because it's not going to be me anymore. I'm through being forced to take sides, because I can't convince people to start acting their age. And in 99% of the disagreements in the entire world, all parties are at fault. There's never one side, one victim. If there's one thing I know FOR SURE in this world, it's this: It's all up to us. You can't blame anyone else for ANYTHING that happens in your life. If you're unhappy, do something to fix it. If something's wrong, you do something. If you need extra help, by all means. But someone else shouldn't do all the work. So I'm done. 

Well now that that took up so much room, here's the rest of them. I promise they're shorter :)

--Continue my daily workouts with Paige. Without a doubt the best part of my day.
--Write more. On my blog, in my journal, wherever. It's so therapeutic for me, I just need to make the time.
--Read "The Miracle of Forgiveness" and "Not My Will, But Thine".
--Get a 4.0 GPA
--Acceptance to the American University's Washington Semester Summer Program in Journalism & New Media. Or American Politics (I'm undecided, obviously).
--Enjoy life. Go on nature walks. Take random pictures of anything I think of. Stop and smell the proverbial roses.

how delightful

Top 10 magical, delightful, and glorious Events of 2010


10. I passed Pre-Calculus with a B. It's a wonder. But it would be more surprising if I hadn't worked so hard.
9. Music! I saw G. Love and Special Sauce, Jack Johnson, Love & Theft, Luke Bryan, and Keith Urban all in concert.
8. Cardinals vs. Packers game. January 3, 2010.
7. Though it almost killed me, I spent the summer working as an HR intern at FVI. It was my first job, and my first full-time job too. Besides the resume experience, I came into my own. I gained more confidence in myself and my abilities.
6. I aced, and I mean aced my PR class and realized fully that Public Relations is the perfect major for me.
5. Dean's List 3 semesters in a row!
4. The first birthday of Mr. Westley Jackson Colegrove, the most fantastic and handsome nephew to ever grace the world.
3. My first apartment! I love being on my own.
2. The birth of Ava Reagan Jones (my favorite girl in the world, second only to her mother), followed closely by Stedson Jess and Treydon Jay Romrell. Miracle babies. They're perfect and gorgeous and healthy.
1. The baptism of my brother. Prayers, gratitude, and plenty of tears.

6 Reasons To Keep On Living

1. I'm going to Disneyland in three weeks.
2. I want babies!
3. My roommates wouldn't have dinner for next semester.
4. I love Christmas.
5. I still need to do my "Julie & Julia" experiment.
6. I want an Australian Shepherd.

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them. Henry David Thoreau

Twisted List...

My friend's mom has what she calls a "Twisted List." In other words, men she thinks are oddly attractive. Weird, strange men that are somehow attractive. And Bonnee and I have been thinking about ours for awhile, we were so intrigued by the idea.

Here's mine. (Don't judge. That's the purpose of a Twisted List, it's supposed to be weird...):

1. William Fichtner
2. Alan Rickman
3. Steve Carell
4. Edward Norton
5. Jay-Z

The. Greatest. List. Ever. (volume 3)

1. Oh my goodness. I'm obsessed.
2. One of my new favorite TV shows. Why, hello. I think you're fantastic.
3. Also, thank heavens for this. Without it, that stupid Indiana Jones theme song would still be stuck in my head.
4. Love this book. There's so many wonderful things in this world. 
5. I'm out of things to say. But I guess I'll always be grateful for this wonderful thing. 

The. Greatest. List. Ever. (volume 2)

1. Away We Go. One of my all-time favorite movies. Definitely in the top 5. 
2. Obviously Diet Coke. 
3. Dizzy Dean said, "It ain't braggin' if you can back it up." Well, I can SO back this up. I make the best chocolate chip cookies on this planet. 
4. To Make You Feel My Love, as sung by Adele. I honestly think this version is the best version of this song ever sung (though my step-dad would just say, "Oh, another world record. Great.") 
5. Strawberries with brown sugar and sour cream. My roommate recently introduced me to that lovely treat, and it is to die for. 
6. CHI's 44 Iron Guard spray. How else do you think I keep my hair this soft?  :)
7. My mom ROCKS. 
8. Bath & Body Works' White Citrus spray. It's divine.
9. Chalkboard spray paint, a cheap foam board, chalkboard markers, scrapbook paper, and a bottle of Mod Podge. A great craft night. 
10. Across the Universe. Also in my top 5 favorite movies.

The. Greatest. List. Ever. (volume 1)

I love lists. So here's one, of everything and anything and everyone I'm currently nursing a healthy obsession of/crushing on/can't get enough of. 

1. Why is this so emotional? I swear, somehow this band has a link to my brain and my emotions. But how is that possible?
2. Wow, I love this movie. I could watch it over, and over, and over, and over again.
3. I can't get over the beauty of this poem. It's simultaneously joyful and gut-wrenching. 
4. Sexy (adj.): highly appealing or interesting; attractive. Should be used sparingly. See also: I want this man.
5. Also.............wow.
6. More tomorrow. I really need some of this.

The idea for this post came from my new favorite site. Check it out if you have a few hours, because trust me, you'll want to browse for ever.