The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent
some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic.
1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some
tasks such overseas trips or outdoor activities.
The Website/Inspiration: http://triplux.com/dayzero/default.asp
*~*LEARNING & EDUCATION*~*
1. Get Standard Teaching Certificate by finishing Alternate Route classes
2. Get Teacher of Student's with Disabilities Certificate by finishing Special Ed classes
3. Learn to cook 5 new main course dishes
4. Learn to cook 3 new desserts
5. Study photography online to learn new techniques
6. Read 3 books related to education/teaching
*~*~SELF-IMPROVEMENT & HEALTH*~*
7. Exercise at LEAST 1/2 hour per week
8. Lose 10 pounds
9. Go to the eye doctor to have presciption re-checked
10. Start taking a multi-vitamin every day
11. Drink no soda 1 day/week
12. Drink 2 glasses of water/day
*~*FAMILY & FRIENDS*~*
13. Ask a new friend to go out/meet up
14. Call or write all siblings at least 1x/week
15. Make point to say "yes" to get-togethers with friends more often
16. Be quicker with writing Thank You notes
*~*HOME*~*
17. Paint craft room
18. Install curtains in craft room
19. Find art work for den
20. Find rug for master bedroom
21. Organize front guest bedroom
22. Throw away at LEAST 10 shirts, 10 pairs of pants, and 2 pairs of shoes
*~*MARRIAGE*~*
23. Make time at least 1 night/week without interruptions
24. Go camping
25. Start a family together
26. Celebrate 3 year anniversary
27. Visit Italy together to see Mark's relatives
28. Go hiking to a waterfall
29. Watch a movie Mark picks WITHOUT complaining
*~*ENTERTAINMENT & TRAVEL*~*
30. Change name on passport
31. Take pictures of important places in hometown
32. Take pictures of important places in current town
33. Return to CT to visit wineries
34. Host a party
35. Eat fondue at LEAST 1x/year
36. Go pumpkin picking
37. Make a list of 20 places to visit in my lifetime
38. Find 5 fun, FREE things to do within an hour of my house
39. Read 10 new, never-read before books
*~*CREATIVITY & ORGANIZATION*~*
40. Submit something to PostSecret
41. Post at least 1 picture on Rate-My-Space (HGTV.com)
42. Put all random recipes in to a binder
43. Organize and file magazine articles
44. Make teacher portfolio
45. Organize scrapbook supplies
46. Organize pantry
47. Create a photo wall
48. Decoupage art for craft room walls
49. Buy 2 filing organizers for office
50. Sort through old bills and toss
51. Buy mail organizer for entranceway
52. Take 5 professional quality photos
*~*KINDNESS & SUPPORT*~*
53. Donate to a cause
54. Send out 5 random "Thinking of You" cards
55. Buy something from someone on Etsy
56. Inform others about my work with Autism to promote awareness
57. Buy something for Autism Awareness
58. Call my parents at LEAST 1x/week to remind them I love them
*~*CAREER & MONEY*~*
59. Get at LEAST 1 payraise
60. Utilize teacher's certificate and special ed certificate (See 1 & 2)
61. Start cutting and using coupons for grocery shopping
62. Put together a budget of family money
63. Transfer stocks from A to B
64. Sell some stocks
65. Read a book on parenting
66. Attend at LEAST 1 conference
*~*ENVIRONMENT*~*
67. Make box for newspapers/flyers to use in fireplace to cut down on recycling/waste
68. Plant 1 new tree
69. Buy 2 reusable bags for grocery store
70. MAKE instead of buying at LEAST 2 gifts
71. Offer 2 things on http://www.freecycle.org/ to save things from landfills
72. Take 2 things on http://www.freecycle.org/ to save things from landfills
73. Calculate carbon footprint
74. Attempt to decrease carbon footprint by 5%
*~*FUN "ME" STUFF*~*
75. Get at LEAST 1 massage each year
76. Get at LEAST 1 pedicure/manicure each year
77. Spent 1 whole day in PJ's and watch TV/movies
78. Try 3 new wines
79. Have at LEAST 1 girls night
80. Enjoy a day out with mom
81. Create playlist on IPOD
82. Buy one new pair of earrings
83. Locate 1 new/fun website each month
84. Eat at 3 new restaurants
85. Buy new bubble bath and take one!
86. Locate on map all places visited
87. Find 5 new inspirational quotes
*~*PERSONAL*~*
88. Accept feedback more effectively
89. Give feedback more effectively
90. Go to bed before 11:30 1 night/week
91. Make out a will
92. Attend a church service
93. Write a list of 10 things that make me happy
*~*RANDOM*~*
94. Get 15 pictures developed and give to family/friends
95. Make at least 3 art pieces - any medium
96. Use face cream at night
97. XXXXXXX XXX XXXX XXXXX (Private)
98. Donate 100 grains of rice at http://www.freerice.com/
99. Plant daisies in memory of Grandma
100. Register to vote in the 2008 election in NJ
*~*LAST BUT NOT LEAST: 101. Be willing to change items on list if goals evolve*~*
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Festivals, hauntings, and food - oh my!
There are so many wonderful things to do in this area during the Fall - peach picking, pumpkin picking, apple picking, hiking the amazing trails, corn mazes, hay rides, haunted houses, you name it!
The leaves started to change this past weekend and it is just starting to smell like Fall in the mornings. You know that smell that makes you crave hot spiced cider and apple cider donuts that you get when you go apple or pumpkin picking? My stomach is grumbling just THINKING about them!
I find it so hard to believe that two years ago today was the first day of Fall in 2006, as well as our wedding day! I know the first day of Fall was "officially" yesterday, but it will always be on September 23rd in my book!
Here are a few of my favorite sites for things to do in NJ:
http://www.funnj.com/
http://www.nj.com/festivals/
http://elsurfo.com/todo/nj.htm
Now, when to find the time to actually DO them this year is the question.....
The leaves started to change this past weekend and it is just starting to smell like Fall in the mornings. You know that smell that makes you crave hot spiced cider and apple cider donuts that you get when you go apple or pumpkin picking? My stomach is grumbling just THINKING about them!
I find it so hard to believe that two years ago today was the first day of Fall in 2006, as well as our wedding day! I know the first day of Fall was "officially" yesterday, but it will always be on September 23rd in my book!
Here are a few of my favorite sites for things to do in NJ:
http://www.funnj.com/
http://www.nj.com/festivals/
http://elsurfo.com/todo/nj.htm
Now, when to find the time to actually DO them this year is the question.....
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Todays post brought to you by the cliche: Do One Thing Every Day That Scares You
"Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97: Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.
Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen." - Baz Luhrman
*
Do you remember this song? It came out in 1997, the year I graduated highschool. It was actually a commencement speech at MIT by Kurt Vonnegut. I remember hearing it for the first time at 17 and thinking how true *some* of the statements were. I heard it again today - 10 years later - and I realize how true *all* the statements are. The perspective age gives you is amazing.
My favorite is the line: "Do one thing every day that scares you" - Eleanor Roosevelt
I've been told that I'm "adverse to risk-taking" by more than one person in my life. I don't think this is necessary true. Or a bad thing for that matter. I think I'm more "cautiously realistic." And although my personal goal for this year is to try new things, I don't know about *every* day as Eleanor Roosevelt suggested. That might be a little ambitious. But I do plan on facing some personal fears and trying to work through them.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.
Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen." - Baz Luhrman
*
Do you remember this song? It came out in 1997, the year I graduated highschool. It was actually a commencement speech at MIT by Kurt Vonnegut. I remember hearing it for the first time at 17 and thinking how true *some* of the statements were. I heard it again today - 10 years later - and I realize how true *all* the statements are. The perspective age gives you is amazing.
My favorite is the line: "Do one thing every day that scares you" - Eleanor Roosevelt
I've been told that I'm "adverse to risk-taking" by more than one person in my life. I don't think this is necessary true. Or a bad thing for that matter. I think I'm more "cautiously realistic." And although my personal goal for this year is to try new things, I don't know about *every* day as Eleanor Roosevelt suggested. That might be a little ambitious. But I do plan on facing some personal fears and trying to work through them.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Fun, interesting, exciting, and odd websites...
http://postsecret.blogspot.com/
(Great books, too!)
http://www.signgeneratormaker.com/
Random, but fun to make and send to your friends...
http://www.stephanieklein.com/first.html
Greek Tragedy
http://www.homestarrunner.com/
Always a favorite in this house
http://www.letterperspectives.com/
Inspiration for my current DIY
http://www.flickr.com/
Photography sharing site
http://www.etsy.com/
Shopping and DIY-inspiration
http://www.paperbackswap.com/
Obviously a paperback website to swap books
http://quotation-marks.blogspot.com/
The Blog of Unneccessary Quotation Marks (to which I am an offender!)
http://itsababynotbrainsurgery.blogspot.com/
Tales from Labor and Delivery
And the mother of all cliche sites...
http://utopia.knoware.nl/users/sybev/cliche/
http://www.westegg.com/cliche/
http://www.clichesite.com/index.asp
(Great books, too!)
http://www.signgeneratormaker.com/
Random, but fun to make and send to your friends...
http://www.stephanieklein.com/first.html
Greek Tragedy
http://www.homestarrunner.com/
Always a favorite in this house
http://www.letterperspectives.com/
Inspiration for my current DIY
http://www.flickr.com/
Photography sharing site
http://www.etsy.com/
Shopping and DIY-inspiration
http://www.paperbackswap.com/
Obviously a paperback website to swap books
http://quotation-marks.blogspot.com/
The Blog of Unneccessary Quotation Marks (to which I am an offender!)
http://itsababynotbrainsurgery.blogspot.com/
Tales from Labor and Delivery
And the mother of all cliche sites...
http://utopia.knoware.nl/users/sybev/cliche/
http://www.westegg.com/cliche/
http://www.clichesite.com/index.asp
Cliche-tastic
I stole this word from a book I'm reading. I think it is the perfect word to describe my life. After coming across this word, I thought about all the cliches out there and how they can relate to my life. Each entry will be brought to by one cliche or another. Maybe you can relate to one (or all!).
Please bear with me while I move my posts from one blog site to this one. And welcome to my blog...My Cliche-tastic Life
Please bear with me while I move my posts from one blog site to this one. And welcome to my blog...My Cliche-tastic Life
Some things you should know about me if we're already friends (but in case you don't!)....
1. I can't think of many things I enjoy more then being surrounded by my friends and family.
2. I love curling up with a good book during thunderstorms.
3. I have two younger brothers and two older sisters.
4. I take lots of pictures of other people, but *hate* having my own picture taken.
5. I get cravings for cherry/vanilla gelatos from Ritas during the summer.
6. I believe napping should be mandatory at all ages.
7. I may have been born in North Carolina, but I'm a "Jersey Girl" at heart.
8. I have my Master's Degrees in Expressive Arts Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University in Boston, MA.
9. I enjoy playing in the rain on warm summer nights.
10. I still don't know what I want to be "when I grow up."
11. I like to sing while I drive (and sometimes in the shower), even though I can't keep a tune to save my life.
12. I have yet to have a 'religious experience,' but I'm waiting....
13. Two of my biggest fears are dying alone and not making a difference in the world.
14. I love sleeping on cold sheets and having warm towels when I get out of the shower.
15. I'm definately NOT "fancy." :)
16. I love sleeping in late on cool mornings...okay, really any mornings!
17. Fall is my absolute favorite season.
18. I enjoy hiking to waterfalls, taking off my shoes and socks, and having picnics sitting with my feet soaking in the water.
19. My comfort foods are grilled cheese from the diner, cheese ravioli,cheese pizza, and fresh popped popcorn.
20. I think the world would be boring if we were all the same.
21. I wear multi-colored or "fun" socks *if* I wear socks at all. I prefer flip-flops...
22. I read alot and enjoy getting an escape from reality for a little while.
23. I dance while I vacumm.
24. My favorite drinks are Ginger Ale, Dr. Pepper, apple juice in the summer, and hot chocolate in the winter.
25. I have a sunflower tattoo on my left shoulder blade.
26. I love to wade in the tidepools in Laguna Beach, California, which is where my husband and I got engaged.
27. I want to learn how to surf one day, but I'm scared of sharks!
28. I have a huge family and a ton of cousins. It makes for crazy holidays but I wouldn't change it for the world.
29. I prefer to be barefoot if at all possible.
30. I'm Irish, German, Swiss, French, and English.
31. I love things with sunflowers and penguins.
32. I enjoy finding quotes that can better explain my life/feelings then I can.
33. I want to visit as many places as I can in my lifetime...Currently topping my wishlist of places are Italy, Spain, and Australia.
34. I like listening to sulty, angry, "chick music."
35. I believe in not judging someone until you've walked in their shoes.
36. I had a "you break it, you buy it" policy with my heart until I met my husband.
37. I was lucky enough to get married outdoors on a beautiful day in September.
38. I'm older then my husband by 6 months and he always reminds me of this!
39. I attended three colleges for my undergraduate degree: Old Dominion University, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, and took summer classes at Ramapo College. And still did it in 4 years!
40. I'm grateful I have a husband and friends that I can have "heated discussions" with regarding organized religion, politics, and life in general.
41. I hate wearing pointy-toed shoes and avoid wearing them at any expense.
42. I get "itchy" when I live in the same place for a long time.
43. I know every word to "When Harry Met Sally" and "Empire Records" thanks to too many late nights in college.
44. I dislike spicy foods.
45. Even though I live about 45 minutes from it, I've never been to the Empire State Building.
46. My current food cravings are chicken pad thai and tostada salads.
47. My favorite flavor of ice cream is Mint Chocolate Chip, but I really just prefer to eat the cones!
48. Sometimes I laugh so hard with my friends that I snort.
49. I have "very strong negative feelings" about reality TV. After working for years with drugged out abused gangster 13 year olds who were taken away from their parents by the state, who needs to watch Survivor...I worked with survivors all day.
50. I hate the smell of coffee, hard-boiled eggs, and tequilla.
51. I enjoy attempting to scrapbook, but I'm not that good at it.
Oh - I've been told I have a "flair" for being dramatic by more than one person. And I have opinions about almost everything...so if you ask me a question, expect the truth.
2. I love curling up with a good book during thunderstorms.
3. I have two younger brothers and two older sisters.
4. I take lots of pictures of other people, but *hate* having my own picture taken.
5. I get cravings for cherry/vanilla gelatos from Ritas during the summer.
6. I believe napping should be mandatory at all ages.
7. I may have been born in North Carolina, but I'm a "Jersey Girl" at heart.
8. I have my Master's Degrees in Expressive Arts Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University in Boston, MA.
9. I enjoy playing in the rain on warm summer nights.
10. I still don't know what I want to be "when I grow up."
11. I like to sing while I drive (and sometimes in the shower), even though I can't keep a tune to save my life.
12. I have yet to have a 'religious experience,' but I'm waiting....
13. Two of my biggest fears are dying alone and not making a difference in the world.
14. I love sleeping on cold sheets and having warm towels when I get out of the shower.
15. I'm definately NOT "fancy." :)
16. I love sleeping in late on cool mornings...okay, really any mornings!
17. Fall is my absolute favorite season.
18. I enjoy hiking to waterfalls, taking off my shoes and socks, and having picnics sitting with my feet soaking in the water.
19. My comfort foods are grilled cheese from the diner, cheese ravioli,cheese pizza, and fresh popped popcorn.
20. I think the world would be boring if we were all the same.
21. I wear multi-colored or "fun" socks *if* I wear socks at all. I prefer flip-flops...
22. I read alot and enjoy getting an escape from reality for a little while.
23. I dance while I vacumm.
24. My favorite drinks are Ginger Ale, Dr. Pepper, apple juice in the summer, and hot chocolate in the winter.
25. I have a sunflower tattoo on my left shoulder blade.
26. I love to wade in the tidepools in Laguna Beach, California, which is where my husband and I got engaged.
27. I want to learn how to surf one day, but I'm scared of sharks!
28. I have a huge family and a ton of cousins. It makes for crazy holidays but I wouldn't change it for the world.
29. I prefer to be barefoot if at all possible.
30. I'm Irish, German, Swiss, French, and English.
31. I love things with sunflowers and penguins.
32. I enjoy finding quotes that can better explain my life/feelings then I can.
33. I want to visit as many places as I can in my lifetime...Currently topping my wishlist of places are Italy, Spain, and Australia.
34. I like listening to sulty, angry, "chick music."
35. I believe in not judging someone until you've walked in their shoes.
36. I had a "you break it, you buy it" policy with my heart until I met my husband.
37. I was lucky enough to get married outdoors on a beautiful day in September.
38. I'm older then my husband by 6 months and he always reminds me of this!
39. I attended three colleges for my undergraduate degree: Old Dominion University, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, and took summer classes at Ramapo College. And still did it in 4 years!
40. I'm grateful I have a husband and friends that I can have "heated discussions" with regarding organized religion, politics, and life in general.
41. I hate wearing pointy-toed shoes and avoid wearing them at any expense.
42. I get "itchy" when I live in the same place for a long time.
43. I know every word to "When Harry Met Sally" and "Empire Records" thanks to too many late nights in college.
44. I dislike spicy foods.
45. Even though I live about 45 minutes from it, I've never been to the Empire State Building.
46. My current food cravings are chicken pad thai and tostada salads.
47. My favorite flavor of ice cream is Mint Chocolate Chip, but I really just prefer to eat the cones!
48. Sometimes I laugh so hard with my friends that I snort.
49. I have "very strong negative feelings" about reality TV. After working for years with drugged out abused gangster 13 year olds who were taken away from their parents by the state, who needs to watch Survivor...I worked with survivors all day.
50. I hate the smell of coffee, hard-boiled eggs, and tequilla.
51. I enjoy attempting to scrapbook, but I'm not that good at it.
Oh - I've been told I have a "flair" for being dramatic by more than one person. And I have opinions about almost everything...so if you ask me a question, expect the truth.
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