Summer

This semester is quickly coming to an end!

This summer I will have a lot of free time, so I figured instead of being a bum I would make some goals I would like to work on. 

1. Get in better shape. Eating/cooking healthier, getting more exercise (new gym classes), more use of my bike,    buy new rollerblades, go for walks daily. 

2. Paint again. I miss this old hobby of mine. I'm aiming to get some new decorative pieces for my room, and possibly start/finish that painting I promised Jeremy two years ago...

3. Read more. I want to continue learning more about effective counseling techniques, but would also like to get back into reading for fun. 

4. Beach trips. I feel so relaxed when I'm at the beach, that I think I would really benefit from increased beach trips. 

5. Weekend getaway. As much as I love traveling with friends and family, I've never been away on my own. I think a couple days to just spoil myself with spa treatments, and have some alone time to reflect would be great for clearing my mind and de-stressing. 

6. Bake sale. I'm planning on using my culinary talent for good. Invites will be sent later on, but I'm planning on holding two different get-togethers/bake sales to raise money for two great causes.

7. Spend more time with Jeremy. Our busy semesters don't let us spend enough time together...

8. Improve my cooking skills. I think they're getting better, but I would really love to spend more time cooking meals completely from scratch and experiencing the pride and satisfaction from reaching a final (and successful) meal. 

9. Catch up with old friends. I've been feeling disconnected from a lot of people lately, and I know it's no one's fault, life happens, but I do miss a lot of friendships that used to be much stronger. 

10. Clean my room. My room is not necessarily a "mess", but I want to get rid of all the old things I don't use that are just taking up space. 

Practice What You Preach

I should really start listening to the messages that I try to teach my students every week...

Specifically, "People will do things that you may not like, but we can't change others. The only people we have full control over are ourselves and the reactions we have are our own choosing".

Funny how I've been working on all of these social skills, proper interactions, using good manners, and taking personal responsibility with the 4th and 5th graders, yet people my age and older seem to be able to benefit from these important life lessons as well. But, like my first message states, I am the only one I have full control over. In a way this is empowering, with the fact that I have the freedom to choose my own life path, yet it is also annoying because as much as I choose to be kind to others, I have no control over their actions and reactions.

I guess it's like that saying, also considered the "golden rule": Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...

but that saying should really read: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, yet know that people suck sometimes and they might not return the kindness".