Starting a New Career for a New Year Resolution

I have never been big on New Year Resolutions. When I am determined to accomplish something, I will take on the challenge any time of the year. I’m always looking at eating less and exercising more, so that is a constant resolution in my mind. Perhaps even an obsession. I wanted to go on a Yoga retreat with my childhood friend, so I decided to stretch myself and try Yoga this summer. I am so happy I accomplished that goal, but that is a whole other story. Now I have made another resolution in my life and since it happens to occur on the New Year, I am now signing up for a New Year Resolution.

I am changing my career for my New Year Resolution. I always said I want to write and I need to accomplish my last high school goal to write a book about my parents’ immigration to America. It would be amazing to go beyond the first chapter. However, I am also a realist and will always enjoy working for non-profit organizations, so I will continue to freelance with projects for non-profits. The other part of my time will be dedicated to my family and to my new resolution of writing. I have no control on how far writing will take me, but I’m willing to try. The beauty of turning 40 and starting new adventures is that I don’t mind going slowly and even failing along the way. I really don’t care as long as I give it my best and try. An example is my garden in my yard. Yes, there is in our yard a garden for him and a garden for her. My husband knows not to touch my garden, no matter how pathetic it may appear. The reason is that I wanted to try gardening and in the process I want to fail and learn from my mistakes. My garden may still never compare to his great design, but it doesn’t matter because it’s mine.

As I start a new adventure in my career life, I wasn’t sure how to define myself. A good person and friend asked me why I didn’t just call myself a writer because that is what I want to do. Beyond the obvious of not constantly publishing, I found my epiphany to go for it. So I will call myself a writer, and of course freelance coordinator of nonprofits on the side (the realist in me).

Now I hear the buzz of the dryer ringing, so I must pursue my other quest in taking care of my family because I feel compelled to provide clean underwear.

Life of a Multi-Tasker

I tell everyone I know, and don’t know for that matter, that I hate multi tasking. However here is how my Sunday morning began.

Ahhh Quiet! Everyone is still asleep, so I think I will make myself a cup of coffee and enjoy the quiet before everyone awakes.

Grind the coffee; fill the pot with water; trip over the cat.

Oh sorry Clifford, we named him after Cliff Claven from "Cheers". Perhaps we’re dating ourselves.

Feed Clifford, change his water.

Now what was I doing. Oh yes, coffee. Turn the coffee maker on.

Hmmm, those bananas look like they are over ripe. I do have all the ingredients for banana bread.

Pull out some bowls, mix ingredients, mash bananas, and spill some ingredients on the floor. Hear the coffee brewing. I will concentrate and finish the banana bread. Into the oven.

I better clean this counter and sweep up the mess on the floor.

Go to the laundry room to find the broom. Why is the washing machine cover closed? Oh crap, I forgot the rags I washed last night in the wash machine. They should be fine with a hot dry cycle. Open the dryer. Of course, I forgot blankets in the dryer. Pull out the blankets. Fill the dryer with the rags. Perhaps I should start another load of laundry in the wash.

Now what was I doing again. I want to grab some coffee. Go back to the kitchen. Remember I wanted to sweep the floor. Concentrate on grabbing the broom and sweep the floor.

Go back to the kitchen for coffee. I should really wash those dishes first from banana bread making. It did start out clean today. Empty the drying rack, so I can refill it with new dishes. Wash the dishes. (Yes, I have a dishwasher, but for some reason I still don’t mind washing dishes from hand.)

O.k. I think I am all set. Everything is still quiet so I'll grab a cup of coffee and sit down for a nice relaxing Sunday morning.

The sound of a blanket sweeping the floor. “Good morning mommy, do you want to play a game?”

“Good morning princess. Yes, I will play a game. Just let me grab a cup of coffee please.”

Lazy Athlete

I admit it. I’m a lazy athlete. Of course I use the term loosely since those two words should not be uttered in the same breath. And I’m not really an athlete.

I realized my laziness this morning as I tried to psych myself up to ride my bike to work. The weather is warming up a bit and I try my best to ride my bike spring and fall. As usual, I end up having many excuses (such as it’s too cold in the winter and too hot mid summer). I was actually disappointed it wasn’t raining. I know there are many people that ride year round and don’t use an excuse to not do something. Plus, it’s only four miles, so I need to stop my griping and hop on.

I do want to stay active and really need to find that one activity I like. I definitely do not like running (check out March 2010 blog - Running. Why oh why do I run?). Although as friends gear up for scheduled races, I’m beginning to think, maybe. But I try to remember that giving birth has the same effect (you forget how painful it really is). My kids do have a mile fun run coming up, so I’ll just train for that. Of course I will now have two children at the top of the hill screaming “Come on Mom, can’t you go faster!” (Once again – see blog on Running).

I have always stated that I do love hiking. However, I’m trying to realize if realistically I will enjoy it as I climb hills. Perhaps I’m really a flat level person. I might have to explore what that means. I did hike the Grand Canyon once for a week and camped at the bottom. I try to skip the part of the story where I was only 15. I might aim for that as a goal once again, although I do wonder how my knees will hold up. My husband just trekked down and up the canyon for a week, but my husband is not a lazy athlete. He actually ran the day before and the day after hiking the canyon. He’s prepping himself for a couple of races. I will show my support by cheering on the sidelines, once again thinking maybe.

I have never really been into sports. I played volleyball in school and even played Ultimate Frisbee as an adult, although I lacked many skills. I do enjoy my body step class in the gym. I think the music pumps me up and I can move at a good pace, if I get jiggy with it.

As for now, I will psych myself up for the bike ride home (which does have a slight incline). My motivation will be to not have to go to the gym after work and being able to raise a nice cold one to my semi active accomplishments of the day.