AuburnChick's Adventures

Happy New Year’s everyone!  I tend to be quite the non-traditionalist as far as this holiday is concerned, so you won’t find any black-eyed peas or ham in the AuburnChick home today.  What you will find, though, is the Hodgepodge!  I hope you enjoy your day, however you choose to spend it…with loved ones…curled up with a book.  Let’s get to the questions!

1.  Times Square is the setting for the infamous ball drop signaling a brand new year….when did you last ‘drop the ball’ on something?

My lesson planning for the first week of the new year still isn’t finished.  I’d planned on doing it when I was at Chicky’s house helping her recover from knee surgery.  That didn’t happen, so now I have to do it between now and the 6th, when we return to school.  Oh.  Joy.  <insert sarcasm>

2.  What is one thing you resolved to do in 2013 that you actually did?

It looks like I created goals instead of resolutions (I took a peek at the post I’d written).  I’ve pasted my goals below:

Career

• Finish Reading Endorsement (anticipated finish date is Fall 2013)
• Finish three ESOL classes (hopefully the FLDOE will not require me to complete the full 300-hour coursework since I’ll have my Reading Endorsement soon)
• Keep my lesson plans SIMPLE…don’t overthink so much!

Personal

• Take time each day to maintain some semblance of cleanliness in my home, whether it’s scooping poop from the back yard, vacuuming dog hair, or cleaning the shower
• Allot time each day to just “be” without thinking about work
• Stay away from my tweezers unless I have a splinter (I get a bit tweezer happy…it’s a habit I am determined to break!)
• Listen more
• Talk less…or at least less about MYSELF!
• Stop visiting Starbucks
• Buy one toy or some other type of “gift” once per month…saving these items to donate next Christmas

Spiritual

• Spend time in God’s Word to reconnect with the One who I owe EVERYTHING to
• Be more purposeful about getting up and worshiping on Sunday mornings

Yarn-Related

• Knit at least ten minutes four or five days per week
• Finish knitting the Omelet Shawl I began last summer
• Participate in a sweater knit-a-long (KAL) with my friend, Christina, and knit my first pullover sweater!
• Learn to crochet

What did I accomplish?

I accomplished most of my professional goals…yay!  In fact, I completed four out of the five ESOL classes!  Woo Hoo!  My lesson plans are getting easier, although they’re not exactly “simple.”  They are comprehensive, which my principal likes.

Personal Goals – Not so good.  My house was a bit cleaner, and I didn’t visit Starbucks as often; however, I still talk about myself too much.  Dang.  I did take the summer to focus on myself, and while I don’t stay up as late lesson planning, I can’t say that I take more time to just “be.”

I’m not sure I accomplished what I wanted spiritually.  I need to work on spending daily time with the Lord.

Knitting-wise, I finished my Omelet Shawl and worked on my crocheting skills.  I never completed a sweater, but I did join the Harry Potter Knit/Crochet House Cup on Ravelry and knit more this year than last year.   I consider this a win!

All-in-all, I think I came out on the plus side as far as what I managed to accomplish.

3.  Jack London is quoted as saying, “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” Agree or disagree? Why?

I don’t think there’s a clear-cut answer to this question.  There are times when you have to go after inspiration.  You have to put yourself in situations that allow you to be inspired; however, there are other times when you will be inspired without trying.  The key is to be aware.  Teaching and blogging are two areas where I constantly look for inspiration.  Because I look for inspiration, I find it more often than not.

4.  What was the best thing you ate in 2013?

My vegan cupcakes were probably the best thing I ate in 2013.  I can’t narrow it down to one particular flavor.  Simply eating something that was vegan, sweet, and delicious was monumental.

5.  Share an anti-resolution…that is, something you plan to keep on doing in the new year.

My anti-resolution is to keep drawing closer to God.  I don’t think this will ever be something I take off of my to-do list.

6.  The Pantone color of the year for 2014 is radiant orchid.  Like or no like? Would I find this color anywhere in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in this shade to either?

I do like the color.  It goes well with gray.  I own a couple of dress shirts that I wear every couple of weeks at school.

7.  In three words or less sum up your 2013.

Up and down

See yesterday’s post.

“Nuff said.

8.  My Random Thought

I should have been grading essays or lesson planning yesterday.

Instead, I chose to pamper myself with a trip to my nail salon.

I love my nail techs.  They can recreate anything from Pinterest!

Not wanting to let go of winter quite yet, I selected a winter-y theme (one free from the red that I’d tired of during the Christmas season).

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: Wednesday Hodgepodge |