Resolutions

It's 2014! I can't believe how quickly this year went by, and it was definitely one for the ages. I planned a wedding, got a promotion at my job, married my love, spent a week in Mexico, moved into a (rental) house, got more involved at the best church, and made new friendships. It was a crazy busy year, but getting to start this new life with Jordan by my side was so wonderful and exciting.

Now that the dust is settling, I am so excited about what I want to experience in 2014.  Last year was about saving and planning for the wedding and our new life together, so this year I'm excited about the freedom to be more spontaneous and take more adventures! This year is going to be about developing skills, visiting new places, making life-long habits and being creative. In order to do these things, I'm making lists and setting specific goals - and sharing them with others to keep myself accountable.

In 2014 I will:

• Cook only organic fruits, veggies and meat
• Blog once a week
• Read my devotional book daily
• Take a calligraphy class
• Read five books
• Take vitamins daily
• Paint a new picture every month
• Take five trips (three on a plane)
• Take a photography class
• Lose ten pounds by our wedding anniversary
• Design one print a week

Some of these are pretty lofty, but I'm excited about giving them the good college try. Regardless of the outcome, I'll be better for giving them a shot! What are your resolutions for 2014?

4 Miles.

I have never been amazing at working out. I played sports in high school, and have been pretty good at regularly exercising at my college's gym these past 2 years. But I've never really pushed myself regarding exercise.

At the beginning of this semester, I could only run 1.5 miles without desiring to lay down on the pavement and die. But I kept thinking to myself: I am 20 years old, I am in the best shape I will be in for the rest of my life, shouldn't I be able to do more than this? So I made a goal: to run 2 times a week, and to run farther than I ever had before each time.

So I started with 2 miles. But, of course, was stuck on that for a few weeks. Then one day was able to run 2.5 miles. Then 3. And once again was stuck with that for a little while.

Yesterday, as I considered turning left to head back home after a good 3 miles, I just decided to keep going, and ended up running 4.15 miles.

This is probably not a huge deal at all to a lot of you out there who can run 12 miles without breaking a sweat. But to me, this is a big deal. And something I'm pretty proud of.

So for all of you out there with new goals: you CAN do it! And it will feel so good when you do. As for me, I'm pushing on. 6 miles, here I come.