AuburnChick's Adventures

I cannot believe that I almost forgot about the Hodgepodge!  Fortunately, Joyce didn’t and has served up another round of fun questions to start off the new year properly!  Thanks, Joyce, and a Happy New Year to my blogging friends!

1.  How did you ring in the new year?

Chicky was out of town, visiting one of her roommates.  Rooster has been dog/house sitting for a friend, so he wasn’t even with me as the clock struck 12.  The Mr. has been very sick and was in bed watching football.  I rang in the new year by participating in a New Year’s chat on KnittingHelp.com.  I even won the KnittingHelp app for my phone!  I’m psyched because now I’ll be able to help the students who I’m teaching to knit using the videos included with the app!  Yay!

I also watched a movie I’d recently purchased…Amazing Grace.

Let me just say that this movie has moved to the top of my favorites.  WOW!  It was INCREDIBLE!!!  The acting was FANTASTIC!  The costumes and accents were spot on.  The acting…WOW!  The lead actor is the same guy from the movie Fantastic 4.  I never expected such an emotional performance!

More importantly, the message was so inspiring!  It is a tribute to what one person can accomplish when convictions run so deeply.  I purchased this from Amazon after watching clips in the video for the song Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone by Chris Tomlin.

This was money well-spent, and I know I’ll watch this movie many, many times.

2.  What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2013?

I’m going to name TWO things I’m looking forward to.  The first is finishing Reading Endorsement, a reading certification program I began in January 2012.  I took the fall off to focus on getting my classes running.  The coursework includes five 60-hour classes, so finishing up in the fall of 2013 is a much-anticipated goal.

The second thing I’m looking forward to is watching Chicky graduate from college.  She’s worked hard to graduate early and will walk the stage in December…a full semester ahead of schedule.  I’m quite proud of her!

3.  Steven Spielberg is quoted as saying, “All of us every single year, we’re a different person.  I don’t think we’re the same person all our lives.”  What say you?

I would agree with this statement.  Every experience changes us…sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worst.  Regardless of HOW we are changed, we emerge as DIFFERENT people from what we were before the experiences.

4.  The Pantone color of the year for 2013 is emerald green. Like or dislike? Do you already own something this color?  Will you add something in this shade to your home or wardrobe in 2013?

I don’t keep up with color trends, but I’d have to say that I like this color.  It’s one I wear well.  My children attended a high school where one of the school colors was green, so I have quite a few things close to this shade.  I wouldn’t be opposed to adding something new, in this color, to my wardrobe and did, in fact, purchase a new purse in a similar color just yesterday from Kohl’s.

5.  Speaking of emerald…what’s your favorite gemstone?

My favorite gemstone is aquamarine.  It’s my birthstone, and it’s so much prettier than blue topaz, which people try to sell me.  By the way, the ring, pictured below, is not mine.  Maybe I should start a Christmas list though.  😀

6.  Share a favorite book or movie from 2012.

Hmmm…does the book have to have been published in 2012, or is it okay that I select something I read in 2012?  I’ll make the executive decision of saying anything read in 2012 will suffice.  😀

As a reading teacher, I think it’s important that I read a lot of books so I can honestly recommend books to my students.  As such, I read The Time Keeper, by Mitch Albom, and WOW!  It really made me think differently about the concept of time and what’s important in life.  I’m reading this book aloud to my students right now.  Although they don’t seem to be too into it, we’re still in the beginning chapters.  Once the storyline gets set up, I think they’ll like it more.  Mr. Albom’s writing is very descriptive and much more poetic than what my students are used to.  I like that.  I like the way the words flow out of my mouth when I read.  Albom is a very gifted writer, and the lessons he imparts through this book have really touched my heart.

7.  What is something you want to tell yourself at the start of this brand new year?

I want to tell myself to RELAX.

I.

Am.

A.

Perfectionist.

I cannot stand having to redo things (as in assignments for certain classes for certain “endorsements” that I’m working on).

As a result, I stress myself out.

A lot.

This desire to be perfect extends beyond the assignments I have to turn in.

I desire perfection in every lesson plan I write for the classes I teach, and I berate myself internally when things don’t go smoothly.

As my wise friend, Barb, told me in a text the other day, “Remember that things don’t have to be perfect.”

Easier said than done, in my book.

It’s a tough way to live, let me tell you, and will have the potential to attain the goals I’ve set for myself (check out yesterday’s post) difficult.

But, life is about growing and learning from mistakes.  Learning to relax and not stress so much is a lesson I must learn to maintain some semblance of sanity.

8.  My Random Thought

I have thoroughly enjoyed having my babies home this Christmas season.  I am all too aware that one year in the not too distant future, my babies won’t be home for weeks on end during the holiday, so I’m treasuring the time we have left before they begin their own lives elsewhere with special someones as yet undetermined.

Chicky came back home last night after visiting one of her friends for New Year’s.  I missed her the moment she left on Saturday and counted down the hours when she would return.  I was that annoying mom who kept texting her, asking, “Have you left yet?”

😀

It was worth the wait, though, because she brought home my grand puppy…another bit of joy to relish as the days of holiday fun draw ever closer to an end.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.  I pray that 2013 is a year filled with many moments of joy and that you would draw nearer to the Lord…especially in times that are not so joy-filled.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: Mitch Albom, The Time Keeper, Wednesday Hodgepodge |