Life truly goes by faster the older you get. Earlier this month, my husband and I sat down to make our goals for this year. A list of 14 things (of 14 things) to do in 2014!
1. Read 14 books:
I spend so much time on the subways up here that I've rediscovered my love for reading, not on the iPad, but a tangible book. My first one did not disappoint.
Double Down: Game Change 2012 by Mark
Halperin, John Heilemann (finished 1/11/14)
I started this book in 2013 but finished it a few weeks ago, so I’m including it. 1 down, 13 to go. It definitely filled my post “West Wing” void. I was expecting it to be very
one-sided (read-Pro-Obama) but it was actually very moderate and fair. For example, remember when Obama performed terrible at the first debate and Al Gore blamed it on the altitude change in Denver? Everything was discussed. Another funny thing I learned is that Romney’s camp used fish terminology when vetting the
VP candidates to keep it secret. Paul Ryan was called Fish-consin and my frontrunner for 2016 until two weeks
ago-Pufferfish.
Next books on my list:
Game Change by Mark Halperin, John
Heilemann
The first book about the 2008 election that spun the HBO film starring Julianne Moore.
Balancing It All by Candace Cameron Bure
This book recently made news about the word “submission” and what that means in a Christian marriage. I
wasn’t expecting to want to read this, but after seeing Candace’s interview on HLN, I
think it will be interesting to see what she has to say on this topic.
When Godly people do Ungodly Things by Beth Moore
Where has this book been my whole life? Very excited to read this.
2. Find 14 new meals to add to our
"usual" family dinners.
Anyone else every get bored with eating the same food? That's how I feel right now. I recently made chicken salad croissants for the first
time. Variety, my friends is a good thing. Send those recipes my way!
3. Blog at least 14 times
Self
explanatory. I like doing it-need to make a effort to be consistent.
4. Run 14 miles
(Okay really this means 13.1, I rounded up.) I
signed up for my first half marathon on March 29th. Some days I’m really
excited about doing it. Other days, I think I must have been out of my mind. It’s
on the calendar, race fee paid, training is going on.
5. Find 14 power bible verses.
I'm going to memorize them and
make them my go-to thoughts instead of the usual negative self talk that comes to
mind. I have an accountability partner and sister in Christ who's doing this one with me.
First verse: Finally, be strong in the Lord and
in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the
devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but
against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic
powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of
evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12
6. Try 14 new things (food/experiences)
Indian food is on this list. I’m sure more things will come
to mind.
7. Go to 14 new places
Chris and I finally made it to a Nets v.
Warriors basketball game inside of the Barclays center. (Yes this was the
location of Twerkgate, but as I like to remember it-the place where my beloved *NSYNC reunited.)
8. Submit 14 articles/pieces of work for
publication.
One of the
things I miss the most about grad school is the amount of writing and research
I did. While I’d like to think I could do it on my own, I think having a due date will help motivate me to complete the projects.
9. Save 1400 dollars by couponing
The 1400 dollars is arbitrary, but we have made a conscious
effort to nail down our finances and basically know where our money goes. One of the ways we're saving money is cooking at home more, buying groceries when they're on sale and throwing away less food by planning our meals more.
10. Go to 14 movies/talk shows/Broadway shows.
10. Go to 14 movies/talk shows/Broadway shows.
With my favorite
talk show host right now, Katie Couric, leaving at the end of this season, I’m
going to try and make it to her show at least a few more times and who doesn't love Broadway?
11. Learn 14 new songs on piano.
I took piano lessons from age 6 until I started high school. One of my regrets is that I didn't stick with it for longer and keep playing, but I'm trying to make up for it now. I’m currently working on “Someone like You” by Adele. (It’s really hard to sing and play
at the same time. Perhaps that will be my resolution for 2015?)
12. Make 14 projects
from Pinterest.
I really want to make a sign, like the one below, for my kitchen, my favorite place
in our apartment. I'm not that crafty but I hope to learn!
13. Make a point of going on at least 14 dates.
Chris and I are homebodies. After a full week of work,
sometimes we’re just too exhausted to travel the 45 minutes into the city. We want to continue "pursuing" each other and to make efforts to go out on dates and experience special moments together.
14. Start everyday spending 14 minutes with God.
Similarly to getting in a routine with my husband, I find myself
going to church on Sundays, small group during the week, praying with Chris
before dinner, but neglecting a daily morning routine that involves quiet time with God.
Our small group leader encouraged us to download, Verse-A-Day, in order to make
it easier for us to remember to read our bibles daily.
* I spent most of last year blogging about my job situation and while I do not want to focus on that anymore for my blog, I do want to keep my blog readers updated. My internship with Hallmark ended and I am now looking for another full-time job (with
encouragement and leads from my bosses at Hallmark). I have several interviews going on right now and I am hopeful that I will have some news very soon. I am grateful for all of
the prayers of support during this time and I will keep you posted when I know something.
And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.
Galatians 6:9
Missy
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