Taking my own advice

Earlier this week, I was talking to a great friend who is taking a year to really get to know herself.  She has set awesome goals for herself, and I could not be prouder of her.  She is already an amazing girl, but I know after this year she will be even more amazing!  As we were talking she said she was struggling a little bit with her goals, she didn't want to lose her focus and stray.  I asked her if she had written everything down and had it in a place where she can see it.  She has started a blog and will update with her progress, so that helps to keep her accountable, but I suggested to her that she write things down where she can see it each day.  The next day she sent me a picture of something she posted on her mirror so she could see it all the time. 

I've decided to take my own advice and hold myself more accountable for my goals.  Now that I have a new job and different responsibilities I have set new goals for myself.  Some a physical goals like working out more and eating better, some are more spiritual goals and some are more personal goals.  I have my goals written down, but I recently bought a journal so I can write about them a few times a week.  I thought about setting a new goals of writing everyday, but I think that is setting myself up for failure, so right now I am going for a minimum of 3 times a week for tracking myself.    Hopefully, I can build up to writing more often and keeping better track of myself, but for now, I am starting off small. 

3 Weeks down, 37 more to go...

Well, I made it through my official first week of school in my new job...I didn't realize how hard the transition would be.  I'm sure it will get better when I feel more comfortable and more confident in myself, but this week has been rather hard. 
The first week back to work was ok, no one else, except administrators and the occasional office staff was working. 
The second week back was ok because everyone was in trainings and meetings. 
This week has been hard, I don't have the constant interaction that I'm used to and I must say I miss that.  I miss talking to people...I miss eating lunch with people.  I don't get to do that.  Once last week, I totally didn't eat lunch because I was just too busy.  It was 4 pm before I realized that I hadn't taken the time to eat the lunch I brought. 
Today was a similar day, between preparing stuff for next week and trying to coordinate meetings with ten thousand several people, but the time I got around to eating, all the other teachers had already eaten and were already teaching again.
Add to the fact that I'm on two campuses and don't feel like I have time to actually build personal relationships, these past few weeks have been a little lonely. 
On one of my campuses, I do have a "built in friend", a teacher who used to work at TSMS, so I feel comfortable with her and can go into her classroom and interact with her and her students.  On the second campus, I have made friends with one of the other staff members and have been able to talk to her quite often this week.  Baby steps. 
My goal for next week is to get out and talk to more teachers.  I need to step out of my box office and sit down with other teachers at lunch.  I need to introduce myself to people and get involved.  Baby steps. 

I really do like what I am doing now...I wouldn't say I love it, yet.  There is A LOT of new information to learn and a lot of questions to ask.  I've started just making lists of questions to ask my mentor when I see her. There are some other great diags who have helped me these past three weeks, and I'm very appreciatve of them!  I could not have made it this far without their help, and they are still offering more help!  Hopefully I can "pay it forward" one day. 

I was able to go to swim tryouts this week.  It was GREAT to see my old team!  They were all excited to get back in the water and get started with preparing for the upcoming season.  I'm so sad that I won't be there to lead them, but I know they will be amazing!  I fully plan on attending as many meets as I can and hopefully helping out at some of them...after all, I did make the schedule, I should be able to make at least some of them! I am so proud of them in so many areas, in and out of the athletic world.  They are truly an amazing group of young adults and my mornings will never be the same without them (although I love my alarm clock not going off until 6:00 am!). 

Almost...

I almost made it through the day without asking anyone any questions, but I had to cave around 2 pm. 
I'm trying to remember that it's going to take a while before I completely settle into my new position.  I can teach 7th grade blindfolded.  I know where all my worksheets are, I know the best websites to visit, I know the good books to read.  I don't have to ask questions, and I became used to that.  Now, I'm in new territory and I have have no clue that I'm doing at any given time. 

I am trying to figure things out on my own.  My goal is to make it through an entire day without asking questions.  The other day I was actually able to answer someone else's questions.  I was so excited that I called my mom to share the good news.  I feel like I have to celebrate the small milestones right now! 

So eventually, I will meet my goal of getting through a day without asking questions, but for now, my questions continue....I apologize if you are one of the unlucky ones to get an email from me!

Groupon

So I know I'm totally behind the curve, but I discovered Groupon this summer...in a matter of 3 weeks, I bought 3 of them! 
The first one I bought was for a photography class!  It's a two hour class and it cost me $45, and I'm hoping it's $45 well spent.  I really haven't had a chance to use my new camera, I've played around with it, but I really want to know all those little buttons and settings mean. 
The next one I bought was kinda of a little bit of peer pressure.  Sunday when I was at Camp, Amanda Bert sent me a text...a screenshot of the Groupon of the day, a pole dancing workshop in Southlake.  So we decided to take it together.  We haven't used it yet, as we haven't been able to find a date that works for both of us, but I will update when it does happen!
The last one I bought is for me and Will.  It's for a Zipline Tour at DFW adventure park in Roanoke.  I'm probably most excited about this one!  We get to go ziplining, right in our own back yard!  We are waiting until the weather cools down a little and it's actually enjoyable to be outside.  This is something we have both been wanting to do, and I promised to take him ziplining for his birthday, so I'm finally making good on my promise.  There are also places near Austin in Hill Country that are just for ziplining, they are longer distances and more ziplines, but this place in Roanoke is supposed to be fun too! 
I will keep you updated on the Groupon experience!