Monday, February 6, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
January Fitness Goals: The RESULTS!
COL'S FITNESS GOALS for the 31 Days of January
So how'd I do?????
In my honest opinion, I did amazing. Just freakin' amazing.
1. Attend 9 Group Fitness Classes
averages to 2 classes a week, 1 class in the last half-week
01/03/12 - Piloxing at 6:30pm
01/07/12 - Kettle Bells Intervals at 10am
01/11/12 - Yoga class at 6:30pm
01/14/12 - Kettle Bells Intervals at 10am
01/21/12 - Kettle Bells Intervals at 10am
01/26/12 - Sculpting at 5:30pm
01/29/12 - Spinning at 9am
Total: 7 classes
While I did not hit the goal of 9 classes through the whole month, I am not disappointed because I have been doing a lot of weight and strength training. I can even bench 35 lbs...pause for clapping... But I will say that I want to keep going to classes, maybe 1 or 2 a week if they are available when I have freetime.
2. Run/Walk 25 Miles Total
averages to 6 miles per week, 1 mile in the last half-week
Totals: 33.22 miles in 15 gym visits (average 2.215 miles a day at the gym)
I am proud to say that I did more then my goal and that the days between were either rest days or days I was taking a class or doing strength training and cardio on the elliptical or bike. I did quite well and will start a training program for the 5K I'm running in March.
3. Sign Up for One Race or Fitness Event
must be before June 1st
I am officially registered for the Oak Forest Fleadh 5K on March 10th. Dan isn't running with me but I'll be training for this and am looking to finish in under 38 minutes. The next thing we will register for is the Merrell Down and Dirty Mud Run in May. It's a 5K race with obstacles so it'll be more challenging.
4. Track all workouts in some way
can be done via blogging, mapmyrun account, or something similar
Everything has been tracked through the whole month. I began using mapmyrun and officially switched over to spark people last week. I plan to continue tracking all workouts and start being more consistent tracking my foods.
5. Do Two Real Push-Ups
totally stole this from Stina but I wanna do a mud run and they include obstacle courses and usually involve push-ups
I'm not sure that I can do two real push ups yet but I can bench the bar without any help from Dan so there is progress
6. Only Allowed 10 Meals At Restaurants
I lost track but I don't think we have stayed under 10 or will have by the end of the month. I intended this for dinner meals and not lunch and we were limiting ourselves to one lunch and dinner eaten out. We have definitely taken a step in the right direction in making most meals at home and that's what really matter, progress.
7. Meal Plan every week
While I don't expect to follow it every week, I want to meal plan every week this month and get in the habit of cooking at home and eating healthy.
Every week we stuck to the meal plan and got accustomed to a weekly shopping trip and making nearly all of our own food. This is probably the biggest difference since I started my new lifestyle and I feel so much better eating homemade foods!
While setting these goals made a huge difference in my overall progress from the month, I am holding off on setting new goals for another month til March or April. I am presenting at a conference this weekend and need to focus on school and research for my Masters Thesis. This doesn't mean I won't be continuing home making all my foods or working out. I will be training for the 5K and keeping up with my strength training. Next blog will be about my progress on my Masters Thesis Research.
So how'd I do?????
In my honest opinion, I did amazing. Just freakin' amazing.
1. Attend 9 Group Fitness Classes
averages to 2 classes a week, 1 class in the last half-week
01/03/12 - Piloxing at 6:30pm
01/07/12 - Kettle Bells Intervals at 10am
01/11/12 - Yoga class at 6:30pm
01/14/12 - Kettle Bells Intervals at 10am
01/21/12 - Kettle Bells Intervals at 10am
01/26/12 - Sculpting at 5:30pm
01/29/12 - Spinning at 9am
Total: 7 classes
While I did not hit the goal of 9 classes through the whole month, I am not disappointed because I have been doing a lot of weight and strength training. I can even bench 35 lbs...pause for clapping... But I will say that I want to keep going to classes, maybe 1 or 2 a week if they are available when I have freetime.
2. Run/Walk 25 Miles Total
averages to 6 miles per week, 1 mile in the last half-week
Totals: 33.22 miles in 15 gym visits (average 2.215 miles a day at the gym)
I am proud to say that I did more then my goal and that the days between were either rest days or days I was taking a class or doing strength training and cardio on the elliptical or bike. I did quite well and will start a training program for the 5K I'm running in March.
3. Sign Up for One Race or Fitness Event
must be before June 1st
I am officially registered for the Oak Forest Fleadh 5K on March 10th. Dan isn't running with me but I'll be training for this and am looking to finish in under 38 minutes. The next thing we will register for is the Merrell Down and Dirty Mud Run in May. It's a 5K race with obstacles so it'll be more challenging.
4. Track all workouts in some way
can be done via blogging, mapmyrun account, or something similar
Everything has been tracked through the whole month. I began using mapmyrun and officially switched over to spark people last week. I plan to continue tracking all workouts and start being more consistent tracking my foods.
5. Do Two Real Push-Ups
totally stole this from Stina but I wanna do a mud run and they include obstacle courses and usually involve push-ups
I'm not sure that I can do two real push ups yet but I can bench the bar without any help from Dan so there is progress
6. Only Allowed 10 Meals At Restaurants
I lost track but I don't think we have stayed under 10 or will have by the end of the month. I intended this for dinner meals and not lunch and we were limiting ourselves to one lunch and dinner eaten out. We have definitely taken a step in the right direction in making most meals at home and that's what really matter, progress.
7. Meal Plan every week
While I don't expect to follow it every week, I want to meal plan every week this month and get in the habit of cooking at home and eating healthy.
Every week we stuck to the meal plan and got accustomed to a weekly shopping trip and making nearly all of our own food. This is probably the biggest difference since I started my new lifestyle and I feel so much better eating homemade foods!
While setting these goals made a huge difference in my overall progress from the month, I am holding off on setting new goals for another month til March or April. I am presenting at a conference this weekend and need to focus on school and research for my Masters Thesis. This doesn't mean I won't be continuing home making all my foods or working out. I will be training for the 5K and keeping up with my strength training. Next blog will be about my progress on my Masters Thesis Research.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
....Goals, Motivation, Goals, Motivation....
I want to talk about Goals and Motivation today. Besides trying to focus my life and my time to be incredibly productive, I need to start making clear and attainable goals. I also feel a lot of motivation right now that I want to utilize and make the most of.
goal
[gohl] noun
1. the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.
2. the terminal point in a race.
3. a pole, line, or other marker by which such a point is indicated.
my readers should note that I would have used a wikipedia definition but today is the Wikipedia Blackout.
So, I'm going to use this definition to make three simple goals that I am going to work towards in respect to health and fitness. Simple enough right? But I need to be careful that I don't make something is measurable or I won't ever know for sure that I've made my goals. I need to also be cautious so that my goals are too low or too high. There needs to be balance or I won't push myself hard enough but it cannot be unattainable or unrealistic because I will give up out of frustration.
...the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.
1. maintain a healthy and active lifestyle
This is a pretty basic goal. I want this to be a lifestyle change not a temporary fix. This is the goal that isn't all that measurable other than how I feel I am doing. I can tell I've made steps in the right directions and that my body feels better for it. I need to continue you that so I never really know what it's like to eat buffalo wings til I'm stuffed.
...the terminal point in a race.
2. Complete all the obstacles and finish the Merrell Down and Dirty Mud Run on May 20th
I didn't just pick this because the definition includes the word race. I picked it because it's something I will be doing soon that requires full body strength and consistent training (and jumping in mud). Since my end game is a healthy lifestyle, there is no terminal point or ending to this journey.
...a pole, line, or other marker by which such a point is indicated.
3. Lose 12% Bodyfat in the next 6 months
I measured by body fat at the beginning of my XSport Fitness Orientation. Here's the catch. I forgot the number, but it is written down. So there's potential to get the number or start from today. I haven't decided which to do. The point is that I'm more comfortable putting my goal in something like body fat percentage than weight. I could lose weight but have it be muscle mass and that's not the direction I want to go. So it the interest of staying on the path I chose, I am using body fat % to guide my goals. Apologies to my boyfriend Dan who saw the word pole and thought I'd be taking pole dancing lessons.
The next thing I want to get into is Motivation for obvious reasons. Goal are only achieved given the opportunity mixed with the right amount of dedication and determination which also comes more people who motivate us.
Motivation
mo·ti·va·tion [moh-tuh-vey-shuhn] noun
1. the act or an instance of motivating, or providing with a reason to act in a certain way.
2.the state or condition of being motivated.
3. something that motivates; inducement; incentive.
I find a lot of motivation from the great people in my life; a good friend and blogger Stina and a hardly-ever blogs but still call him my boyfriend, Daniel. While their support (and the support of others) is amazing, I still can't ride my mind of doubts while I workout. But I find that images are also very helpful when trying to dig for motivation. Here are some of my favorites.
my readers should note that I would have used a wikipedia definition but today is the Wikipedia Blackout.
So, I'm going to use this definition to make three simple goals that I am going to work towards in respect to health and fitness. Simple enough right? But I need to be careful that I don't make something is measurable or I won't ever know for sure that I've made my goals. I need to also be cautious so that my goals are too low or too high. There needs to be balance or I won't push myself hard enough but it cannot be unattainable or unrealistic because I will give up out of frustration.
...the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.
1. maintain a healthy and active lifestyle
This is a pretty basic goal. I want this to be a lifestyle change not a temporary fix. This is the goal that isn't all that measurable other than how I feel I am doing. I can tell I've made steps in the right directions and that my body feels better for it. I need to continue you that so I never really know what it's like to eat buffalo wings til I'm stuffed.
...the terminal point in a race.
2. Complete all the obstacles and finish the Merrell Down and Dirty Mud Run on May 20th
I didn't just pick this because the definition includes the word race. I picked it because it's something I will be doing soon that requires full body strength and consistent training (and jumping in mud). Since my end game is a healthy lifestyle, there is no terminal point or ending to this journey.
...a pole, line, or other marker by which such a point is indicated.
3. Lose 12% Bodyfat in the next 6 months
I measured by body fat at the beginning of my XSport Fitness Orientation. Here's the catch. I forgot the number, but it is written down. So there's potential to get the number or start from today. I haven't decided which to do. The point is that I'm more comfortable putting my goal in something like body fat percentage than weight. I could lose weight but have it be muscle mass and that's not the direction I want to go. So it the interest of staying on the path I chose, I am using body fat % to guide my goals. Apologies to my boyfriend Dan who saw the word pole and thought I'd be taking pole dancing lessons.
The next thing I want to get into is Motivation for obvious reasons. Goal are only achieved given the opportunity mixed with the right amount of dedication and determination which also comes more people who motivate us.
mo·ti·va·tion [moh-tuh-vey-shuhn] noun
1. the act or an instance of motivating, or providing with a reason to act in a certain way.
2.the state or condition of being motivated.
3. something that motivates; inducement; incentive.
I find a lot of motivation from the great people in my life; a good friend and blogger Stina and a hardly-ever blogs but still call him my boyfriend, Daniel. While their support (and the support of others) is amazing, I still can't ride my mind of doubts while I workout. But I find that images are also very helpful when trying to dig for motivation. Here are some of my favorites.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Tracking Progress on January's Goals
COL'S FITNESS GOALS for the 31 Days of January
Mid-Month Progress
I'm a day late posting the halfway progress for January's goals. Here's my progress so far.
1. Attend 9 Group Fitness Classes
averages to 2 classes a week, 1 class in the last half-week
01/03/12 - Piloxing at 6:30pm
01/07/12 - Kettle Bells Intervals at 10am
01/11/12 - Yoga class at 6:30pm
01/14/12 - Kettle Bells Intervals at 10am
Total: 4 classes
2. Run/Walk 25 Miles Total
I'm not sure if I should include miles on the elliptical
averages to 6 miles per week, 1 mile in the last half-week
01/01/12 - walked on treadmill 3.05 miles in 60 minutes
01/03/12 - walked/jogged on treadmill 1.4 miles in 25 minutes
01/07/12 - jogged on treadmill 2.8 miles in 50 minutes
01/08/12 - jogged on treadmill 1.93 miles in 35 minutes
01/09/12 - jogged on treadmill 3.4 miles in 55 minutes
01/13/12 - jogged on treadmill 1.85 miles in 30 minutes
01/14/12 - jogged on treadmill 1.5 miles in 25.5 minutes
I have to say that I'm pretty proud of the miles I've put in on the treadmill especially since I alternate between the treadmill and elliptical (while I use the treadmill more). I think I will definitely make it to 25 miles. I was particularly proud of the January 9th where I wasn't really intending to run for three miles but I was 'feeling it' and just kept going.
Totals: 15.93 miles
3. Sign Up for One Race or Fitness Event
must be before June 1st
Dan and I found the race we want to register: the Merrell Down and Dirty National Mud Run Series on May 20th. We have to register before March for the cheaper registration fee but I will probably register next week!
4. Track all workouts in some way
can be done via blogging, mapmyrun account, or something similar
So far, everything has been tracked for workouts. I was very good about tracking my nutrition and then had a crazy weekend and didn't track them last weekend.
5. Do Two Real Push-Ups
totally stole this from Stina but I wanna do a mud run and they include obstacle courses and usually involve push-ups
Did 1 push up and Dan said it didn't count :-(
6. Only Allowed 10 Meals At Restaurants
I lost track but I don't think we have stayed under 10 or will have by the end of the month. I intended this for dinner meals and not lunch and we were limiting ourselves to one lunch and dinner eaten out. We have definitely taken a step in the right direction in making most meals at home and that's what really matter, progress.
7. Meal Plan every week
While I don't expect to follow it every week, I want to meal plan every week this month and get in the habit of cooking at home and eating healthy.
Week 1, meal planned
Week 2, meal planned
Week 3, meal planned
Working on Week 4's meal plan now
Mid-Month Progress
I'm a day late posting the halfway progress for January's goals. Here's my progress so far.
1. Attend 9 Group Fitness Classes
averages to 2 classes a week, 1 class in the last half-week
01/03/12 - Piloxing at 6:30pm
01/07/12 - Kettle Bells Intervals at 10am
01/11/12 - Yoga class at 6:30pm
01/14/12 - Kettle Bells Intervals at 10am
Total: 4 classes
2. Run/Walk 25 Miles Total
I'm not sure if I should include miles on the elliptical
averages to 6 miles per week, 1 mile in the last half-week
01/01/12 - walked on treadmill 3.05 miles in 60 minutes
01/03/12 - walked/jogged on treadmill 1.4 miles in 25 minutes
01/07/12 - jogged on treadmill 2.8 miles in 50 minutes
01/08/12 - jogged on treadmill 1.93 miles in 35 minutes
01/09/12 - jogged on treadmill 3.4 miles in 55 minutes
01/13/12 - jogged on treadmill 1.85 miles in 30 minutes
01/14/12 - jogged on treadmill 1.5 miles in 25.5 minutes
I have to say that I'm pretty proud of the miles I've put in on the treadmill especially since I alternate between the treadmill and elliptical (while I use the treadmill more). I think I will definitely make it to 25 miles. I was particularly proud of the January 9th where I wasn't really intending to run for three miles but I was 'feeling it' and just kept going.
Totals: 15.93 miles
3. Sign Up for One Race or Fitness Event
must be before June 1st
Dan and I found the race we want to register: the Merrell Down and Dirty National Mud Run Series on May 20th. We have to register before March for the cheaper registration fee but I will probably register next week!
4. Track all workouts in some way
can be done via blogging, mapmyrun account, or something similar
So far, everything has been tracked for workouts. I was very good about tracking my nutrition and then had a crazy weekend and didn't track them last weekend.
5. Do Two Real Push-Ups
totally stole this from Stina but I wanna do a mud run and they include obstacle courses and usually involve push-ups
Did 1 push up and Dan said it didn't count :-(
6. Only Allowed 10 Meals At Restaurants
I lost track but I don't think we have stayed under 10 or will have by the end of the month. I intended this for dinner meals and not lunch and we were limiting ourselves to one lunch and dinner eaten out. We have definitely taken a step in the right direction in making most meals at home and that's what really matter, progress.
7. Meal Plan every week
While I don't expect to follow it every week, I want to meal plan every week this month and get in the habit of cooking at home and eating healthy.
Week 1, meal planned
Week 2, meal planned
Week 3, meal planned
Working on Week 4's meal plan now
Thursday, January 5, 2012
2012 - Focus
Since all the cool kids are doing it, I decided to begin the year with goals centered around a one-word theme. My favorite person Stina did this with her 2011 Dedicate theme and got the idea from a great blogger Rachel Wilkerson's "Getting Some Action" post. So here is the big word:
FOCUS
I didn't like using the word focus because I kept thinking of a Ford Focus. So then I thought about Target and started to wonder if all the words in our culture are branded with a corporation!? But, I am getting off subject. I picked the word Focus because I am notorious for the variety of things/hobbies/goals that I set for myself. I set goals that trump all my other goals; I get distracted by new ideas and things.
So this year, I am going to remind myself to constantly Focus. There are two main things that I need to focus on throughout the year: the completion of my Master's Degree and implementing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These are not new goals or new journeys for me. I began graduate school in 2009, and the start of my healthy lifestyle began years before that. I was not able to maintain that healthy lifestyle due to drinking and partying and surrounding myself with immature and petty people. Many of those people betrayed me or hurt me.
Part of focusing on improving my life includes forgiving those past things and never allowing them to happen again. I vow to never surround myself with people who will hurt me. The moment I am hurt is the moment that person will be removed from my life. I am too important to waste my life with people who do not value me. I've taken a huge step back from drinking and partying and I've felt a million times better. Eating healthier and going to the gym has received a very positive response from body. I feel better, I think clearer, I like my life better.
So I want to keep the following list nearby by to remind myself of not just what I want to accomplish, but give myself the means and strategies to be successful. This is mentality I need to have through the good days and the bad days to keep me on track and moving towards good things.
1) Focus on what will make my body feel good, not something that only tastes good (there's a balance)
2)Focus on making time to study and work on the Masters every week. Plan your time.
3) Focus on the positives in yourself. Remember you are worth a healthy and happy life.
4) Focus on keeping meal plans and eating more natural foods.
5) Focus on destressing everyday. Don't stress the things you can't control, friends, family, work, or anything in between.
6) Focus on the friends who encourage healthy behaviors and good living. There's no need for names here. I have great people in my life. Some need my support, some give me support. But it's time to put more focus on the ones who give back.
7) Focus on yourself. I tend to insert myself into other people's problems to help out but lose myself in the process.
8) Focus your sleeping schedule. I have battled with insomnia so much in the past, but it's time to keep the good sleeping habits I've established in the last few weeks (thanks to my limiting alcohol intake).
9) Focus on the success I've already had in my life. I tend to see only negatives when I look back and it ends here.
10) Focus on one thing at a time. Live life one day at a time.
I didn't like using the word focus because I kept thinking of a Ford Focus. So then I thought about Target and started to wonder if all the words in our culture are branded with a corporation!? But, I am getting off subject. I picked the word Focus because I am notorious for the variety of things/hobbies/goals that I set for myself. I set goals that trump all my other goals; I get distracted by new ideas and things.
So this year, I am going to remind myself to constantly Focus. There are two main things that I need to focus on throughout the year: the completion of my Master's Degree and implementing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These are not new goals or new journeys for me. I began graduate school in 2009, and the start of my healthy lifestyle began years before that. I was not able to maintain that healthy lifestyle due to drinking and partying and surrounding myself with immature and petty people. Many of those people betrayed me or hurt me.
Part of focusing on improving my life includes forgiving those past things and never allowing them to happen again. I vow to never surround myself with people who will hurt me. The moment I am hurt is the moment that person will be removed from my life. I am too important to waste my life with people who do not value me. I've taken a huge step back from drinking and partying and I've felt a million times better. Eating healthier and going to the gym has received a very positive response from body. I feel better, I think clearer, I like my life better.
So I want to keep the following list nearby by to remind myself of not just what I want to accomplish, but give myself the means and strategies to be successful. This is mentality I need to have through the good days and the bad days to keep me on track and moving towards good things.
1) Focus on what will make my body feel good, not something that only tastes good (there's a balance)
2)Focus on making time to study and work on the Masters every week. Plan your time.
3) Focus on the positives in yourself. Remember you are worth a healthy and happy life.
4) Focus on keeping meal plans and eating more natural foods.
5) Focus on destressing everyday. Don't stress the things you can't control, friends, family, work, or anything in between.
6) Focus on the friends who encourage healthy behaviors and good living. There's no need for names here. I have great people in my life. Some need my support, some give me support. But it's time to put more focus on the ones who give back.
7) Focus on yourself. I tend to insert myself into other people's problems to help out but lose myself in the process.
8) Focus your sleeping schedule. I have battled with insomnia so much in the past, but it's time to keep the good sleeping habits I've established in the last few weeks (thanks to my limiting alcohol intake).
9) Focus on the success I've already had in my life. I tend to see only negatives when I look back and it ends here.
10) Focus on one thing at a time. Live life one day at a time.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
End of 2011
It's very nearly a whole new year. What does that mean? Absolutely nothing to be completely honest. But I have gone through a lot in 2011 and need to plan my journey from today forward. I am going to set some goals for the month of January. There's this girl I know. Her name is Stina, and her blog organization skills make me look like a kid drawing with crayons (I do love crayons).
I'm basically stealing her December to Remember Goals but mine has no cool and hip rhyme scheme. I'm joined up at the new Xsport in Crestwood and am dying in anticipation to get in there and work out. I've got my workout clothes all ready and waiting to abused. Here are my goals for January. I have no idea if I'm being realistic but I am setting them and going to try hard to accomplish them all.
COL'S FITNESS GOALS for the 31 Days of January
1. Attend 9 Group Fitness Classes
averages to 2 classes a week, 1 class in the last half-week
2. Run 25 Miles Total
averages to 6 miles per week, 1 mile in the last half-week
3. Sign Up for One Race or Fitness Event
must be before June 1st
4. Track all workouts in some way
can be done via blogging, mapmyrun account, or something similar
5. Do Two Real Push-Ups
totally stole this from Stina but I wanna do a mud run and they include obstacle courses and usually involve push-ups
6. Only Allowed 10 Meals At Restaurants
this may be my downfall
7. Kick Dan's ass at the Gym
little unhealthy competition can't hurt right?
I want to think that I am not over reaching on these goals except my ability to copy Stina may be extreme (too bad, Stina). I also think that if I achieve all of these things, I will have an official weighing of myself. I usually don't set goals involving weight or check my weight. I plan to set new goals February 1st and start over again. Hopefully this makes me accountable and I will get the full value of my gym membership.
I have six credits left to complete my Masters which include a Masters Thesis, an insane 40-50 page research paper. I'm excited to get all this done even at the expense of going out and having fun--personally, there is too much drama in all that business anyways.
In other news, I'll begin volunteering on Saturdays at a Chicago School and tutoring students and developing reading skills with the organization Working in the Schools. I am really excited about this chance. I've wanted for a long time to volunteer and give back to the city that has been so important in my life. I encourage my friends to find ways to volunteer and give back especially when the world and economy is so wrecked. Donating your time doesn't cost you anything and the pay off is amazing self-esteem.
I'm basically stealing her December to Remember Goals but mine has no cool and hip rhyme scheme. I'm joined up at the new Xsport in Crestwood and am dying in anticipation to get in there and work out. I've got my workout clothes all ready and waiting to abused. Here are my goals for January. I have no idea if I'm being realistic but I am setting them and going to try hard to accomplish them all.
COL'S FITNESS GOALS for the 31 Days of January
1. Attend 9 Group Fitness Classes
averages to 2 classes a week, 1 class in the last half-week
2. Run 25 Miles Total
averages to 6 miles per week, 1 mile in the last half-week
3. Sign Up for One Race or Fitness Event
must be before June 1st
4. Track all workouts in some way
can be done via blogging, mapmyrun account, or something similar
5. Do Two Real Push-Ups
totally stole this from Stina but I wanna do a mud run and they include obstacle courses and usually involve push-ups
6. Only Allowed 10 Meals At Restaurants
this may be my downfall
7. Kick Dan's ass at the Gym
little unhealthy competition can't hurt right?
I want to think that I am not over reaching on these goals except my ability to copy Stina may be extreme (too bad, Stina). I also think that if I achieve all of these things, I will have an official weighing of myself. I usually don't set goals involving weight or check my weight. I plan to set new goals February 1st and start over again. Hopefully this makes me accountable and I will get the full value of my gym membership.
I have six credits left to complete my Masters which include a Masters Thesis, an insane 40-50 page research paper. I'm excited to get all this done even at the expense of going out and having fun--personally, there is too much drama in all that business anyways.
In other news, I'll begin volunteering on Saturdays at a Chicago School and tutoring students and developing reading skills with the organization Working in the Schools. I am really excited about this chance. I've wanted for a long time to volunteer and give back to the city that has been so important in my life. I encourage my friends to find ways to volunteer and give back especially when the world and economy is so wrecked. Donating your time doesn't cost you anything and the pay off is amazing self-esteem.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
decompression and reflection
By Colleen Boyle
This week has brought a lot of things to forefront of my mind. While I have been long frustrated with feeling unaccomplished, this week a lot of new reflections have been present in my mind, and its been a while since I've updated my blog.
One of the assignments that have been required in my Teaching Internship at Roosevelt University is to create a CV, Cover Letter, and Statement of Teaching Philosophy. As someone who has very little training and experience in teaching, this presents a perplexing number of internal conflicts. Though I feel very much like I have mastered skills with writing and critical literary analysis, I have very little, it seems, to offer a teaching position.
We discussed and looked at examples of the above mentioned documents in class for two weeks, and I felt incredibly incapable of creating my own version of these things. Yeah, I've written cover letters and resumes but the cover letter for a teaching job is so much more detailed and specific to something I have little experience in.
But there was no point in putting off the creation of these documents. I thought, "what do I have to lose?" especially since my degree won't be complete for another year and applying for teaching jobs won't be til Spring 2013 or Fall 2013. That seems so far away.
I wrote the CV and found that it wasn't horribly lacking anything. I may not have a lot of teaching experience, but I do actually have a lot of accomplishments on the academic level. Writing a statement of teaching philosophy was a bit nerve racking, but I completed it and felt like I was true to myself in what I said. It needs improvement, but doesn't everything?
So then I got to the cover letter. I first wrote a cover letter to a position at Moraine Valley Community College. As I wrote, I felt a great deal of pride in myself. I begin to think of the girl who went to Moraine in 2003. I was 17, and I had no clue where I would be in a few years. I wasn't entirely sure about my major, my abilities, my dreams, etc... Now I can look back and think about all I've been through and feel proud that I never quit, that I worked and paid my way to a college education, and then even had the nerve to go back for another degree. Yes, I have about $20,000 in student loans but I also have a lot of writing skills, research abilities, and now the ability to help others in their writing and academic life.
Then I think about the other things I've done. I pay for my own apartment; I have no credit card debt; and I even managed the strength to travel in Europe alone for 5 weeks without a friend in thousands of miles (though I made plenty while there). If I could go back in time and find the 17 year old me who went to Moraine Valley, what would I say to her? I would say absolutely nothing because the journey was hard but amazing. That girl was shy and unsure of what life had in store for her. I'm still a little unsure but what's the fun in having all the answers? I wouldn't be the person I am if I didn't work so hard even without knowing if I could succeed.
After reflecting back to these things, I begin to consider what lays ahead of me. It probably isn't marriage and children, and I am perfectly okay with that. Those things come to us when they want to, maybe not when we're ready but they happen when they happen. Next Spring will be my first conference presenting a paper I wrote in grad school titled "Film Adaptations reshaping gender roles and the characters of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein". And just when I began to think presenting at a conference wasn't that big of a deal, I got to see the look of pride and excitement on my professor's face when I told her about how I was presenting the paper I wrote for her class.
There is so much more to look forward to now. I want to get a paper published, complete my Master's Thesis, and volunteer to help build my CV. I'm not trying to brag or gloat about what I've done. There's still a lot to accomplish but I think it helps to stop and realize where you've been before you can move on.
I have many other things to look forward to, watching my boyfriend succeed in college and starting my career. I plan to do more traveling, keep working on making my lifestyle healthier, and somewhere down the line, apply to a PhD program. I feel like this blog has been a little long winded but I really needed to recognize all of this. I used to be shy, scared, quiet, opinionated but silent, smart but simplistic, and I have to give lots of credit to the people who gave me inspiration and support. Every bit made all the difference between failing and succeeding.
I'm not even sure if I should be saying I've succeeded but I've definitely found a path.
This week has brought a lot of things to forefront of my mind. While I have been long frustrated with feeling unaccomplished, this week a lot of new reflections have been present in my mind, and its been a while since I've updated my blog.
One of the assignments that have been required in my Teaching Internship at Roosevelt University is to create a CV, Cover Letter, and Statement of Teaching Philosophy. As someone who has very little training and experience in teaching, this presents a perplexing number of internal conflicts. Though I feel very much like I have mastered skills with writing and critical literary analysis, I have very little, it seems, to offer a teaching position.
We discussed and looked at examples of the above mentioned documents in class for two weeks, and I felt incredibly incapable of creating my own version of these things. Yeah, I've written cover letters and resumes but the cover letter for a teaching job is so much more detailed and specific to something I have little experience in.
But there was no point in putting off the creation of these documents. I thought, "what do I have to lose?" especially since my degree won't be complete for another year and applying for teaching jobs won't be til Spring 2013 or Fall 2013. That seems so far away.
I wrote the CV and found that it wasn't horribly lacking anything. I may not have a lot of teaching experience, but I do actually have a lot of accomplishments on the academic level. Writing a statement of teaching philosophy was a bit nerve racking, but I completed it and felt like I was true to myself in what I said. It needs improvement, but doesn't everything?
So then I got to the cover letter. I first wrote a cover letter to a position at Moraine Valley Community College. As I wrote, I felt a great deal of pride in myself. I begin to think of the girl who went to Moraine in 2003. I was 17, and I had no clue where I would be in a few years. I wasn't entirely sure about my major, my abilities, my dreams, etc... Now I can look back and think about all I've been through and feel proud that I never quit, that I worked and paid my way to a college education, and then even had the nerve to go back for another degree. Yes, I have about $20,000 in student loans but I also have a lot of writing skills, research abilities, and now the ability to help others in their writing and academic life.
Then I think about the other things I've done. I pay for my own apartment; I have no credit card debt; and I even managed the strength to travel in Europe alone for 5 weeks without a friend in thousands of miles (though I made plenty while there). If I could go back in time and find the 17 year old me who went to Moraine Valley, what would I say to her? I would say absolutely nothing because the journey was hard but amazing. That girl was shy and unsure of what life had in store for her. I'm still a little unsure but what's the fun in having all the answers? I wouldn't be the person I am if I didn't work so hard even without knowing if I could succeed.
After reflecting back to these things, I begin to consider what lays ahead of me. It probably isn't marriage and children, and I am perfectly okay with that. Those things come to us when they want to, maybe not when we're ready but they happen when they happen. Next Spring will be my first conference presenting a paper I wrote in grad school titled "Film Adaptations reshaping gender roles and the characters of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein". And just when I began to think presenting at a conference wasn't that big of a deal, I got to see the look of pride and excitement on my professor's face when I told her about how I was presenting the paper I wrote for her class.
There is so much more to look forward to now. I want to get a paper published, complete my Master's Thesis, and volunteer to help build my CV. I'm not trying to brag or gloat about what I've done. There's still a lot to accomplish but I think it helps to stop and realize where you've been before you can move on.
I have many other things to look forward to, watching my boyfriend succeed in college and starting my career. I plan to do more traveling, keep working on making my lifestyle healthier, and somewhere down the line, apply to a PhD program. I feel like this blog has been a little long winded but I really needed to recognize all of this. I used to be shy, scared, quiet, opinionated but silent, smart but simplistic, and I have to give lots of credit to the people who gave me inspiration and support. Every bit made all the difference between failing and succeeding.
I'm not even sure if I should be saying I've succeeded but I've definitely found a path.
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