As 2011 approaches, I am thinking about what I would like to accomplish during the year. I am the epitome of a goal-oriented person; goals are what keep me moving forward in life. I love crossing off goals on my list and feeling the moment of accomplishment that comes with it...you could say this is my life's drug that keeps me high at all times. :)
I looked back at my "resolutions" post from this past year and realize that I was able to achieve all of my goals. I became more patient, maintained a 4.0 and continued focusing on my relationship with Christ as well as people around me. I have never not accomplished a resolution I have set, which gives me high hopes and expectations for my resolutions of 2011. So...here goes...
Resolutions of 2011
1. Finish my master's with a 4.0
I have 9 hours left and only have to make it to May! I can do it!
2. Develop a work out routine and stick to it
In the past year, I have tried multiple routines but haven't found something that sticks. I am really busy and the one thing I am always willing to let slide is my workouts; however, I feel much better when I work out and really need to get into better shape. I received the P90X for Christmas and have put the workouts into my phone as alerts so I have no excuses...:)
3. Retain my sanity as I begin my PhD studies
This is the thing I am most excited about in 2011. I feel like I have worked so hard for so long to achieve this one goal of earning my PhD and now, it is a reality in the making. This is the number one thing on my bucket list so far and I am eager to begin...let's just hope I keep up my determination, drive and sanity as this final academic journey begins.
4. CONTINUE to build relationships that make me happy
I want to continue focusing on my family, friends, co-workers, classmates and students to develop relationships that will help shape me into the woman I want to be.
5. Let go and let God's will be done
I continuously need to let God guide my life because His plans are more than me, more than this life and absolutely correct. He never fails and I can never cease to grow in my relationship with Him. If I do this, everything in life will work out.
I know this year will be the best yet (it seems to be a trend in life) and I am nothing but excited for it. I will continue to grow as a student, teacher and woman while sharing my life with others and allowing them to help me grow. :)
Here's to another wonderful, glorious year...
-Tracey
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
2011, you've got big shoes to fill
A year ago, I was optimistic about what the year 2010 would bring. The truth of what it brought is more than I could ever have imagined. So, let's take a look back at the year of "firsts" (first job, first home, first puppy)...
In January, I began teaching high school English and my master's degree simultaneously. I was blessed to have the opportunity to work with such an incredible teacher and mentor while at the high school. I also gained mentors and colleagues through my master's. Late January brought a snow storm and an enjoyable day with friends in my favorite weather that Texas does not see nearly often enough.
February brought buying my first home! :)
March gave me the little blessing I call "Jack"...my first puppy! I also had my tonsils removed and have yet to get sick since...hallelujah!
April came the end of my teaching the freshman at the high school but gave me the opportunity to take over in a senior English class (by far my favorite grade to teach so far). On the 1st, I officially closed on my home and moved in. Almost a year later, I am still working to make it "my home" but it's getting there.
May saw an end to my first semester teaching but brought with it a full time job offer teaching 7th grade ELA, which I accepted.
I spent the summer taking classes, working on my house, training my puppy and spending as much time as possible with my friends and family. It was a blast and I will always remember it as a relaxing time before "the real world" took over.
August was the beginning of me turning into an "adult". I began working full time in mid-August, started teaching "for real" and turned a year older. My life changed drastically as I said goodbye to sleeping in and staying up late. My alarm began chiming at 5 every morning and I was in bed sound asleep by 11 each night. However, I loved and embraced the change with open arms.
September and October were a whirlwind of emotions and events as I struggled to get my bearings in my classroom while juggling the demands of my master's degree, puppy, friends and family. There were many, many lows and some ups that kept me on my toes. In between all of the demands of life, I tried to still have fun and maintain my sanity. I won't say I completely succeeded, but I'm still alive now. :)
November started to see changes in 2010. Work became much more manageable, school became less stressful and I actually started having more fun. I started letting myself go out and hang out more with friends. Along the way some new friendships formed and developed into more.
December has been one of the best months I've had in a long time. I've started a new relationship with a boy and it's been great so far. ;) I learned from my students that they actually learned something during the semester which is the greatest blessing I could ask for this year. In addition, I survived another semester in graduate school and am 5 months away from graduating with my master's. My relationships with my friends and family have strengthened and I feel so happy all the time.
Needless to say, I have high hopes for 2011 and hope it can be half as wonderful as 2010. :)
-Tracey
In January, I began teaching high school English and my master's degree simultaneously. I was blessed to have the opportunity to work with such an incredible teacher and mentor while at the high school. I also gained mentors and colleagues through my master's. Late January brought a snow storm and an enjoyable day with friends in my favorite weather that Texas does not see nearly often enough.
February brought buying my first home! :)
March gave me the little blessing I call "Jack"...my first puppy! I also had my tonsils removed and have yet to get sick since...hallelujah!
April came the end of my teaching the freshman at the high school but gave me the opportunity to take over in a senior English class (by far my favorite grade to teach so far). On the 1st, I officially closed on my home and moved in. Almost a year later, I am still working to make it "my home" but it's getting there.
May saw an end to my first semester teaching but brought with it a full time job offer teaching 7th grade ELA, which I accepted.
I spent the summer taking classes, working on my house, training my puppy and spending as much time as possible with my friends and family. It was a blast and I will always remember it as a relaxing time before "the real world" took over.
August was the beginning of me turning into an "adult". I began working full time in mid-August, started teaching "for real" and turned a year older. My life changed drastically as I said goodbye to sleeping in and staying up late. My alarm began chiming at 5 every morning and I was in bed sound asleep by 11 each night. However, I loved and embraced the change with open arms.
September and October were a whirlwind of emotions and events as I struggled to get my bearings in my classroom while juggling the demands of my master's degree, puppy, friends and family. There were many, many lows and some ups that kept me on my toes. In between all of the demands of life, I tried to still have fun and maintain my sanity. I won't say I completely succeeded, but I'm still alive now. :)
November started to see changes in 2010. Work became much more manageable, school became less stressful and I actually started having more fun. I started letting myself go out and hang out more with friends. Along the way some new friendships formed and developed into more.
December has been one of the best months I've had in a long time. I've started a new relationship with a boy and it's been great so far. ;) I learned from my students that they actually learned something during the semester which is the greatest blessing I could ask for this year. In addition, I survived another semester in graduate school and am 5 months away from graduating with my master's. My relationships with my friends and family have strengthened and I feel so happy all the time.
Needless to say, I have high hopes for 2011 and hope it can be half as wonderful as 2010. :)
-Tracey
Sunday, December 5, 2010
You always know exactly what I need exactly when I need it...
Last Sunday in church, the sermon was about being thankful and rejoicing in the Lord even when it seems like He is doing nothing special in your life. The preacher spoke about the "lost son" who ran away from his father and squandered his inheritance, yet when he returned to his father, the father welcomed him with open arms and let his blessings pour out. The good son who had stayed home with the father and worked diligently for him his entire life because jealous at the father's love and support of the other son. The point of the sermon was that we should strive to be like neither son, but should love the Lord completely and without expectation of anything. Moreover, our actions should be driven by our love for God, and only by that. Then, this week at Breakaway, the sermon was about being positive and rejoicing in every blessing the Lord pours out, even when this seems difficult.
I have personally been struggling greatly with the upcoming changes in my life. My very best friend and amazing roommate for the past two school years is moving back home for student teaching and to hopefully get a job and settle down there. While I could not be more proud of her or excited about the amazing opportunities she has, I have been saddened by the loss. I won't get to see my best friend everyday? Laugh with her about silly things? Quote "Bring it on" while cleaning the kitchen after dinner? Sing "Our God is Greater" at the top of our lungs? Stay up late at night watching "Say Yes to the Dress" and coloring firemen and cop hats for a project? Talk for forty straight minutes about how much I love my kids while she listens intently? It is strange to me to see these wonderful memories and blessing will leave. These thoughts have been clouding my brain for the past few weeks, keeping me from seeing that, as always, God knew what He was doing.
First, God brought me some new friends. He brought them in suddenly and didn't let me know that they would become some of the best friends I could ask for. These friends include:
-An old work friend: She is beautiful and kind and knows the demands of being young and pursuing a PhD. We have fun shopping, watching movies and chatting incessantly about life, school and what we hope to accomplish in the future. It is so nice to have her around.
-Reuniting me with three of my best friends from high school. These girls were so important to me for nearly twenty years, then life happened in college. We have been reuniting and our opportunities to get together have grown more frequent over the past few months. I had forgotten how much I loved their company and how much I rely on them for support, guidance and love. They are wonderful girls who are truly going to make a difference in the world.
-my writing group. God gave me the opportunity to join a writing group with other women who are pursuing PhDs while dealing with full-time jobs, families and the stresses of life. These women are caring, truly beautiful women who inspire me. They show me the kind of woman I would like to be when I "grow up" while being a wonderful support to help me with my degree.
-my co-workers, especially my lunch group. I have had the wonderful opportunity to work at a school that is anything but easy. However, God didn't leave me alone and gave me a group of co-workers that show me how much hard-work, patience and love can do for children. They have taught me so much, and our daily lunch conversations have become something I look forward to at work.
-my boys. God introduced me to some wonderful young men this semester. In the past few years, I have struggled with trusting men and not being so bitter about relationships and such. These guys are some of the nicest people I have ever met who have no hidden motive behind their niceness. They do it because it's right. I am thankful that God gave me some people who can alter my negative views. One of these guys has turned into a great friend who I trust and enjoy having around. The other has turned into more than just a nice friend and makes me so happy. :)
-strengthening my relationships with my roommates. While bringing all of these new relationships into my life, God did not forget the ones I already had that were strong. Instead of just saying, "Tracey's good" and letting them go, he gave me opportunities to strengthen these bonds as well. I feel I have become even closer to my roommates than before and continue to fall more in love with them every day.
-family, as always. God has also strengthened the already insanely close bond I have with my dad, mom, sister and grandmother. We already share and incredibly close bond, but it has become stronger as I have dealt with the struggles of school, work and life. It is beautiful to see how God can guide such close relationships to find a deeper bond still.
While God gave me all of these wonderful relationships, he did not forget the point of all of this. So, the second thing He did this semester was show me that all of those wonderful memories I have with my best friend will not come to an end. They will continue and I look forward to seeing what He has planned.
It took two sermons this week for me to stop, look around and realize what wonderful things God has been working on in my life all semester. I realize once again that I am selfish and eternally broken. I am nothing without His love and guidance. All I really have to do is stop and let His will be done.
-Tracey
I have personally been struggling greatly with the upcoming changes in my life. My very best friend and amazing roommate for the past two school years is moving back home for student teaching and to hopefully get a job and settle down there. While I could not be more proud of her or excited about the amazing opportunities she has, I have been saddened by the loss. I won't get to see my best friend everyday? Laugh with her about silly things? Quote "Bring it on" while cleaning the kitchen after dinner? Sing "Our God is Greater" at the top of our lungs? Stay up late at night watching "Say Yes to the Dress" and coloring firemen and cop hats for a project? Talk for forty straight minutes about how much I love my kids while she listens intently? It is strange to me to see these wonderful memories and blessing will leave. These thoughts have been clouding my brain for the past few weeks, keeping me from seeing that, as always, God knew what He was doing.
First, God brought me some new friends. He brought them in suddenly and didn't let me know that they would become some of the best friends I could ask for. These friends include:
-An old work friend: She is beautiful and kind and knows the demands of being young and pursuing a PhD. We have fun shopping, watching movies and chatting incessantly about life, school and what we hope to accomplish in the future. It is so nice to have her around.
-Reuniting me with three of my best friends from high school. These girls were so important to me for nearly twenty years, then life happened in college. We have been reuniting and our opportunities to get together have grown more frequent over the past few months. I had forgotten how much I loved their company and how much I rely on them for support, guidance and love. They are wonderful girls who are truly going to make a difference in the world.
-my writing group. God gave me the opportunity to join a writing group with other women who are pursuing PhDs while dealing with full-time jobs, families and the stresses of life. These women are caring, truly beautiful women who inspire me. They show me the kind of woman I would like to be when I "grow up" while being a wonderful support to help me with my degree.
-my co-workers, especially my lunch group. I have had the wonderful opportunity to work at a school that is anything but easy. However, God didn't leave me alone and gave me a group of co-workers that show me how much hard-work, patience and love can do for children. They have taught me so much, and our daily lunch conversations have become something I look forward to at work.
-my boys. God introduced me to some wonderful young men this semester. In the past few years, I have struggled with trusting men and not being so bitter about relationships and such. These guys are some of the nicest people I have ever met who have no hidden motive behind their niceness. They do it because it's right. I am thankful that God gave me some people who can alter my negative views. One of these guys has turned into a great friend who I trust and enjoy having around. The other has turned into more than just a nice friend and makes me so happy. :)
-strengthening my relationships with my roommates. While bringing all of these new relationships into my life, God did not forget the ones I already had that were strong. Instead of just saying, "Tracey's good" and letting them go, he gave me opportunities to strengthen these bonds as well. I feel I have become even closer to my roommates than before and continue to fall more in love with them every day.
-family, as always. God has also strengthened the already insanely close bond I have with my dad, mom, sister and grandmother. We already share and incredibly close bond, but it has become stronger as I have dealt with the struggles of school, work and life. It is beautiful to see how God can guide such close relationships to find a deeper bond still.
While God gave me all of these wonderful relationships, he did not forget the point of all of this. So, the second thing He did this semester was show me that all of those wonderful memories I have with my best friend will not come to an end. They will continue and I look forward to seeing what He has planned.
It took two sermons this week for me to stop, look around and realize what wonderful things God has been working on in my life all semester. I realize once again that I am selfish and eternally broken. I am nothing without His love and guidance. All I really have to do is stop and let His will be done.
-Tracey
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