Mission Statement

My life has needed guidance. I have been taking some time to think about the life that I want and the principles that I need to follow to live that vision. My mission statement is below- something for me to constantly refer to and help me remember who I am and where I am going. This uses broad terms to guide my life.. Next step is the concrete action plan for people to forgive and engage, activities to do to take care of myself, traits I need to work on. Just sharing a part of my journey.

Mission Statement of Life

My mission is to love myself completely and fully accepting any and all doubts as a part of my natural journey.

My goal is to share my authentic self openly and fully with others.

I serve others as a way of showing my appreciation for the abundance in my life.

I nurture myself daily, weekly, and monthly in small in large ways to honor the value I see in myself.

I celebrate the god that I see in others, remembering that we are here to love and be loved and that judgment is futile.

I work to understand my family, friends, students and colleagues in a genuine way reserving judgment and pledging to meet them where they are.

I fully and continually honor my commitments to relationships, organizations, and causes that are important to me.

I uplift all negative thoughts and emotions and I pledge to retire the story of who I am, because the possibilities for my growth are limitless.

I live my potential and nurture my vision for life.

And so it is.

Cleanse

Today it rained. Again. The storms woke me up overnight. There was thunder and lightning. I dragged out of bed and went to work and did my job. Yay me. By the time I was driving home, I realized that something had happened. I felt lighter. I felt cleaner. I felt a release. I felt like the rain had not only cleansed the air, but also me. It fell softly on my shoulders, releasing tension and making me feel more alive.


Then I went to go kick it with Mayor Kasim Reed and CEO Burrell Ellis, cause I got it like that. :-) Today was a good day.. OOOO aaaahhh

200th post!!

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. ~Annie Dillard


We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.
- Edith Lovejoy Pierce


This year is an opportunity for us to be better more productive. I am excited to love myself more and show that love for myself through the things that I do. I am going to use my days wisely and use my hours better.. and focus on completing the goals because I already know that things that will make me happy, I just have to do them. I am focused. I am ready. I hope that you will keep me motivated and support me... and I hope that I can be supportive to you.

Thank you so much for making 2009 a year that I can say I loved because I was shown great love and support... This blog has become a place where I feel that I have bared my soul and my heart and become really honest and upfront apologetically about my life, my wants, my experiences and I appreciate you for taking the ride with me. I love you!
YAY!!

update:

1. I have decided to fix my social void I am going to be putting myself out there more.. outside my normal patters and behaviors outside my normal activities and doing more things.

Update on 101 in 1001

I had a service I appreciated so I am going to write the thank you card RIGHT Now.

I still don't have a penpal BUT I wrote another letter to a friend :-) Have to put that in the mail today.

I bought a scrapbook album and now I get to fill it as a Christmas gift soooo that is towards the goal of getting my creative juices flowing.

I am still working on my writing prompts and still writing.

I am going rock climbing in February with one of my BFFs and hopefully some other people.

CPR class scheduled for March 6th.


this list has been a great impetus that keeps me focused on what I want to do with my life and how I want to spend my days...

101 in 1001 Update #2

Sooooooo... 101 in 1001 has been going well.

#7. I wrote one letter and got it sent off. I am thinking about getting several real life pen pals.. like people i already know.. and writing to them instead of writing to random folks.. cause that hasn't been going so well... But I got one letter off..

#34. I am writing 3 pieces right now and haven't been able to really call them finished because i'm not happy with them.. but it's okay. it's in progress

#36. Volunteered at the Toy Party, which is the killer winter gay event of the year.. I registered VIP guests and helped For All Kids as they collected THOUSANDS of toys.. It was great fun. Successfully engaged in some small talk and did it all by myself! Plus I got a free t-shirt.. soooo 3 hrs down

AND when I go home, i'm going to watch a classic film with my mom and try to gather pictures for her scrapbook. It should be lots of fun.. I love the holidays!!

Ooooh my relaxed hair is growing out nicely.. I have TONS of new growth.. and I am simply draping.. Long hair dont care!!! :-)))

Hellooooooooooooooo Chicago in 7 hours.

101 in 1001 Update #1

Okay, so my 101 in 1001 hasn't been super productive.

#82. I deleted my MySpace, which was definitely necessary. Though not on my list, I have done a good job of cultivating my relationships with my mentees.

#43. I have also joined some MeetUp groups in hopes that I will meet my new homies, but I haven't been to those events yet.. sooo its in the beginning stages. One of the meetings is a book club meeting for Hill Harper's The Conversation, which I definitely don't want to read, so I'm trying to decide if it's worth it as a means to an end.

#74 and #7 Today I am on my way to get some stationery so that I can get my letters out to my PenPals.. and I am super excited about this. I have always loved writing letters and feel like I might write some letters to different folks, not just my cross the world penpal.. so you may have one coming to you. I also am getting thank you cards, so I can have the available to write when have a service I appreciated. Regarding gratitude, I did leave an excellent survey for the guys who helped me get my phone working at the Sprint store. But that doesn't count... gotta do a bonafide thank you.

#36. I am also going to do some volunteer work tomorrow and prolly Monday. I am thinking of changing my Volunteer goal to volunteer 101 hours, because that's more manageable and means long term volunteer vs. just 3 saturdays in one month. I think that's more geared toward my goals. That will be modified after this post.


#34. I have written one creative writing prompt, and I think i am going to add more to it. I realize I like writing about myself... and not making up characters.. but I will probably do 10 of each, to expand myself. I make my students do all kinds of writing, so I am going to attempt to do all of the things that I have them too. That will better my craft as an educator too. I shared my one prompt with one person. also.. def in progress, harder than I thought though. I'll continue this.. and wholeheartedly so I won't rush.

I am also thinking about which goal I will coordinate with the New Year. I would love to see what goals my friends have for the future, cause I still have 19 spaces to fill on my list and would love some worthwhile things to accomplish.

Life! :-)

101 in 1001

Okay, so I realized I'll be 30 in less than 1001 days. So I am doing this thingy right here to complete 101 things in 1001 days, which will allow me the time to really accomplish them and commit myself to them. Some things are big.. some are small. Some I really want to do for myself and some are things that I know I should do for others. All in all... This is my plan until 30.
The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (i.e., no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (i.e., represent some amount of work on my part).
Start Date: Monday, November 23, 2009

End Date: Monday, August 20, 2012

Here ya go!! :-)

Key: DONE
in Progress

1. Create a list of 101 things to do in 101 days.
2. Take the Mensa Test
3. Work out 25 days of one month. (March 2010.. get ready) I started bootcamp today!! 2/28 DONE- March 28, 2010
4. Read War and Peace. or some other classic that other folks should read.
5. Learn to cook good mac and cheese, and cook it all by myself.  DONE- Easter 2011
6. Meditate everyday for 30 days. Restart August 4, 2010
7. Write 10 letters to my pals. 5/10
8. Apply to Harvards Ed. L. D. program  DONE- December 14, 2011
9. Take 10 dance classes in 3 months.
10. Take A Cooking Class 
11. Cook a new meal each week for 4 weeks.

12. Call my aunts just because.

13. Pay off my credit cards. 1/2 way there!!
14. Pay off my car.
15. Pay off my Emory Student Loan.
16. Cut off all of my relaxed hair. Done March 8, 2011
17. Learn how to style my hair in its natural state.
18. Get a hot stone beachfront massage. DONE- January 5, 2012- Mexico 
19. Take a scrapbooking class.
20. Create a scrapbook for my mom's bday. - DONE  December 25, 2010
21. Take a train from Atlanta to somewhere new.
22. Update my resume.
23. Apply for a teacher abroad program.
24. whiten teeth.
25. Throw a dinner party for my besties in Atlanta.
26. Contribute to all of my babygirls and babyboys college funds.
27. Go on a cruise.
28. go to a cabin in the mountain.  DONE- July 07, 2011
29. Go to Yellowstone/Grand Canyon.

30. Make a fire in the fireplace.- DONE!!! December 12, 2010 :-)  It was beautiful.. despite the fact i made myself take a breather every 20 minutes because I was worried that I was going to die of carbon monoxide poisoning... hahaha.. but it was all fine :-)

31. Go to the top of the Sears Tower and stand on that scary glass bottom thing.- August 20, 2010.. did it for my 28th!

32. Eat 5 new foods. 5/5 I tried Gnocci 6/10/10, Carolina Baby Back Ribs 7/9/10, Lad Na Noodles, 7.23.10, Curry chicken salad this week.  Cactus Salad 1/5/2012, 


33. Jump in my car and drive to a new place. Done July 9, 2010- Raleigh, NC Okay it was totally planned, but I doubt I'll ever just hit the road LOL

34. Do 20 creative writing prompts and share 3 with people. began 11.29.09 (hard!)  Complete Gospel Stage Play with Lindsey


35. 'Unplug' for one whole weekend - no cell phone, no Internet, no TV, no computer DDONE- July 2011


36. Devote 101 hours of volunteering. 13/101


37. Add a Passport Stamp- DONE January 2, 2012 

38. at least ONE time, when you need help with something that you don't want to bother anyone with...ask for help.

39. take change and convert it into money/gift cards.
40. spend all gift cards. Olive Garden/Express/Coconuts (is this still open?)
41. Blog everyday for 30 days.
42. Do not eat out for 1 entire month.
43. Make 3 new homies. (This is going pretty well) 4/3 Hi Candace, Kimberly and Shamica, Tiko,  HA!! My friends have changed so drastically since the beginning of this.. Terri, Crystal, L Diddy, Mo... 
44. Go 1 week without going online (except for work).
45. Launch teaching blog for real.  DONT WANT TO DO THIS
46. 10 random acts of kindness. 4.1.10 10/10 Toll booth, donuts for fire fighters, trash to the recycle bin.. etc 
47. Send a birthday card to all of my friends.


48. See A Christmas Carol on stage. December 15, 2011- With my Baby! 

49. See a new Broadway play. Here we come.. Fences w/ Denzel DONE!! 6/24/10
50. Go on a picnic
51. Go Rock climbing (lightweight)- DONE-March 13, 2010!
52. Write in a journal 30 days in a row.
53. Go to a planetarium.
54. Get a crash course in car stuff... where does the oil go? how do I change a tire? etc etc
55. invest some money in something.
56. Go to Vegas.
57. Recycle. Still going.. Made my first recycling trip 3.29.10, 4.26.10, 6.12.10
58. Do not gossip for 1 week.
59. Do not curse for 2 weeks.
60. spend 1 day in silence.
61. go to church 4 sundays in a row. AND COUNTING
62. take a CPR class -

63. take 4 yoga classes (see whats really good with it). 4/4, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, I LOVE IT.. Trying to figure out how to continue doing it more but cheaply LOL
64. Develop a business plan to prepare myself if i want to be my own boss.


65. Tip 100% to a really good waiter/waitress- DONE, 7/10... she was super cute.
66. Write down a mission statement for my life.
67. Go to the Botanical Garden.
68. Go to Fat Matts and get some bbq!!
69. Too private for you to know!! DONE. 7.29... n.r.
70. Ride a mechanical bull,.
71. Concoct a signature Spidey drink- Tentatively called The Tasty Wasty.. get it? hahaha- DONE!!!- At my housewarming, I made a delicious plum beverage 7/31/10
72. Talk to a stranger every day for a week. DONE!!!
73. Eat at 10 new restaurants. "The Pit" 07.09.10, Taco Mac, 7.26.10, Harry and Sons, 7.24.10, Joey Ds, 8.2.10,  Steel 11.24.10,  Wet Willies, Com, Pappasittos, Vietnamese restaurant in NYC, 
Peaches in Bed Stuy,  DONE!!!


74. Write a thank you note for a service I appreciated. Paula at FOR EYES is AMAZING!!
75. Fly first class. Treated myself to this New Years Day! 2011 :-)  AMAZING
76. Get a new computer.. don't know if I want a mac.  Got a PC  April 2011.  Like it.
77. Finish a 5k in less than 30 mins    31:32  10.2.10  35:13 05.07.11
78. Finish a half marathon. period
79. Build an emergency fund. 3 months salary.
80. Go roller skating

81. Have a kick ass birthday party.  DONE!!  August 28, 2010  yes.. go 28

82. Delete my MySpace account. - DONE!!11/27/09 Who needs Myspace anyway?
83. Find a reliable and relatable mental health professional. DONE!! 03/11/10
84. Sign up for the bone marrow registry. DONE 5/2010
85. Visit Dermatologist and get to the bottom of all this face stuff
86. Write a proposal for an educational text.
87. Truly commit to my lifetime commitment. (active in 2 ways)
88. Ride on a motorcycle. (this scares the begeezus out of me.) - asked coworker waiting till Spring
89. Donate Blood (this scares the begeezus out of me)
90. Serious multistate roadtrip
91. Go skiing- April 2012 - Denver
92. Visit a vineyard DONE!!!  12.17.10  Wolf Mountain Vineyard... AWESOME. Georgia Wine Country in Dahlonega is great and I learned sooo much!
93. GO one week without caffeine - DONE July 2011
94. 21 day fiscal fast
95. learn how to make something "complicated" from scratch (like gnocchi, or risotto)
96. give my leftovers from a restaurant to a homeless person (especially if you don't want the leftovers, there is no need to throw them away...if there isn't anyone around, just leave it neatly on the side of a garbage can for someone to find. DONE- December 15, 2011
97. tell a strange man who is being inappropriate that he is, in fact, being inappropriate
98. Finish my Happiness Project
99. when you are thinking of someone you care about but haven't spoken to in a long time, pick up the phone and call them that instant. DONE!- Called my Line Sister! (2.22.10)
100. Decorate a Munny doll!!
101. -the next time you go through a toll booth, also pay for the person behind you DONE - 6.12.10  Did it twice!  5/2011



I totally want to thank all of my lovies for helping me with this list. I love you all so much! You are my amazings.. and I see so many things in you that I wanna be and I am so glad that I have you in my life. :-) just knowing you are there is enough to make me smile on the craziest days!