6 more months of BLOGGING

Can you believe I’ve been blogging for 18 months???

It’s been kind of a slow 6 months.  Maybe because it was winter or maybe because I’m lazy, but I feel like I haven’t done as much as I did in my first 6 month and 1 year blog.  

Let’s look at what I’ve done.

• Went to a painting class
• Saw Stephen Colbert
• Went to a Ross King lecture
• Spent Thanksgiving with my sister  (We had Chinese.)
• Went to a couple Wizards games
• Spent a day in Florida for a wedding
• Toured the White House to see their Christmas decorations
• Hiked
• Played a season of winter volleyball
• Started my 101 in 1001 project
• Saw Susan Cain
• Went to a Blackberry Smoke Concert
• Took a blogging class
• Saw General McChrystal speak
• Hiked more
• Went skiing
• Went snowshoeing
• Climbed Mt. Washington
• Visited two new states: Vermont and New Hampshire
• Went to the Ben and Jerry’s factory
• Went to a Jodi Picoult event
• Went to a Sheryl Sandberg event
• Took (another) painting class
• Saw Sandra Day O’Connor speak
• Went to a USS Cole event
• Saw Luke Bryan in concert
• Started playing spring softball
• Started playing spring football
• Went to a movie at the DC International Film Festival
• Stopped tutoring
• Applied to grad school
• Cut off 14 inches of my hair and donated the hair to Locks of Love
• Went to a Cinco de Mayo party

I am working very hard on my 101 in 1001 project. I’m currently 10% finished, and I have 898 days left.  I feel like I’m going to get a lot done this summer - the planning has already begun.  

Overall though, I don’t feel like this list is long or robust.  This only inspires me to have a more active summer!!!  

Have you done anything fun over the last 6 months???

Happy Anniversary

One year ago today, I joined the blogosphere.  I put myself out there for the entire world to read.  I’ve detailed some of the conflicting ideas that swirl around in my head.  I’ve let you in on a few adventures I’ve taken.  I’ve made book recommendations.  But mostly, I’ve kept myself accountable.  The whole point of this blog was to keep me accountable.  One of my biggest fears is coming home at night and watching TV.  Instead of being lazier than I already am, I’ve made huge efforts to make the most of Washington DC.  

Here is my check-up, my memories of what I’ve done in the past 6 months:

• Participated in Bike to Work Day 2012
• Went to an event with Jen Lancaster
• Finished my Spring Touch Football league
• Went to a friend’s PhD graduation
• Visited the Natural History Museum
• Started Bikram Yoga classes
• Had a couple massages
• Started apartment shopping
• Took a sewing classes
• Went to a few Washington Nationals games
• Quit going to Bikram Yoga 
• Played a summer softball league
• Started (and fell in love with) hiking
• Began a Pilates class
• Renewed our lease at our current apartment
• Went on a job interview
• Went to a pirate bar
• Had a tour of the West Wing of the White House
• Went to a Cheryl Strayed event
• Ventured to Harpers Ferry, WV to go tubing
• Visited Annapolis, MD a few times
• Went to a Grease-Sing-A-Long movie
• Visited the Robert E. Lee house in Arlington National Cemetery
• Hurt my knee and started physical therapy
• Saw All’s Well That Ends Well at the Shakespeare Theater
• Went to a lecture on the book The End of Men by Hanna Rosin
• Quit going to physical therapy
• Saw Hamlet at the Folger Shakespeare Library
• Saw Cirque du Soleil at the National Harbor
• Went to a lecture by Jeffery Eugenides
• Got my haircut
• Met Colin Powell at a book signing event
• Went to Italy with my family
• Started a fall Touch Football league
• Started a fall Volleyball league
• Began a fall Softball league
• Survived Hurricane Sandy
• Attended a conversation titled, “Why Women Still Can’t Have it All”
• Began National Novel Writing Month (I am currently at 18,137 words!)
• Achieved a positive net worth

So there you have it, dear reader.  This is what I’ve been doing for the past 6 months.  I hope you have also had a productive and fun 6 months.  

I am eager to hear what you have done!!  Anything exciting???

The End of Summer

Summer is officially over, which is sad because I had a lot of fun this summer.  Yet, fall brings another host of activities.  I refuse to sit inside and watch the leaves change through my window.  Instead, I’ve spent hours planning events that will both get me outside and subject me to the cultures, activities, and events in which DC offers.  

You should see my iCal.  I’m soooo busy.  Almost every day has *something* to do.  Sure, I will go to the dentist and other responsible appointments, but for the most part, I’m out having fun.  Not only am I playing volleyball, softball, and football, but I am also making more of an effort to see more plays and attend diverse lectures.  

I always knew that life was is not (and should not be) defined by my 9-5. I don’t describe myself by the words in my job title.  Work is merely the place I go to pay for my life.  It does not define me.  It does not control me.  My work ethic, though, allows me to devote any extra minute to the activities in which I wish to partake.  It’s exhilarating to know that I am in control of my own time and I honestly make the best of it.  For me, life is about the 5-9.  I take considerable efforts to ensure I have a great time after work.  Rarely am I bored and rarely do I wish I were doing something better or different.  Yes, I’m pretty busy.  Yes, finding spare time to relax can be difficult, but this is the way I want it.  I, for some strange reason, *want* my days planned out.    Sure, keeping busy can be exhausting, but seriously, what is the alternative?  As I said, I’m not allowing myself to sit inside and wait for fun things to come along.  I won't allow myself to look forward to watching a television program.  I don’t want to wake up tomorrow and realize that it’s winter.  I want to experience the season changing.  I want to take full advantage of everything my awesome city provides for its people.  Remember my 6 month checkup?  I had so much fun writing that post because it gave me the chance to recollect and memorialize some awesome events.  I’m excited to do my next checkup, which happens to coincide with my 1-year blog anniversary.  What an awesome year....and it's only September!!!