*To look and feel better about myself before law school. During the summer of 2004, I really buckled down and managed to lose more than 20 pounds. I have never in my life looked better or felt better about myself than I did in the year that followed--almost all the pictures I actually like of myself are from that time. I was able to keep the weight off for that first year by going to the gym a lot and eating smarter, but the next summer had us moving from Texas to Virginia so I didn't have easy access to a treadmill when I was home and I totaled my car during that move so once we got to Langley I didn't have transportation to the awesome base gym. I worked more than 30 hours a week (in food service no less) and was taking 18 credit hours at school (mostly English classes to complete my minor, plus working on my senior thesis) during my senior year so something had to be cut out if I wanted to continue sleeping at night and that thing was gym time. I got straight A's that year, but lost my work-out ethic and started gaining weight back. Over the last two years I've gained weight at an alarming rate (ha! that rhymes) and have kept telling myself that I'll work it off later. Well, the time has come to stop putting it off and making excuses. Today is day 3 of me getting on the treadmill and cutting out junk food and sodas (I cut out sodas for a few weeks at a time every couple of months, but will stick to it this time if it's the last thing I do). My goal is to fit into this jacket:
This picture was taken in October 2004, so more than three and a half years ago, but I believe I can do it. I love that jacket!
*To read as many books as possible. I'm taking the 50 book challenge and trying to read 50 books in one year. As of today I'm up to 22, and that number would be higher if April hadn't been the busiest month of my academic career wherein I was able to finish one book and that was for school (Big Coal).
*To acquire a taste for coffee. I like flavored coffee drinks, like lattes and Starbucks frappuccinos, but I want to be able to drink real coffee. I'm moving to Seattle and I've heard it's pretty popular there, plus I'll be going to law school and probably staying up late to study, so it seems in my best interest to be a coffee drinker. I haven't started working on this one yet (coffee is icky).
*To get a part-time job to make money for my move. I applied to a store I worked at the summer before grad school, so hopefully they'll hire me back. I hate working retail, but it'll only be for 6 weeks at the most and I could really use the extra money. Otherwise I'll have no source of income and will risk dipping into my savings before I start my trip. Most of the money from this job, were I to get it, would go towards furnishing my new place and making sure I have enough money for, you know, food before school starts in late August and I start getting paid there.
*To get to Washington alive and in once piece. I'm really nervous about my cross-country drive, like really, extremely nervous. Terrified might be a better word. As mentioned earlier, I totaled my car when driving from Texas to Virginia, and I'm scared it'll happen again and I won't be as lucky as I was the first time (it was an accident that my passenger and I should not have been able to walk away from completely unscathed). This trip will be even longer, 2946 miles and 45 hours to be exact, so I'm understandably worried. At least this time I'll be more cautious, I'll get plenty of rest the night before, and I won't use cruise control (I don't care what anyone says, it's an awful invention that leads to carelessness). I just wish I didn't have to go it alone...
*To find a not-too-tiny studio apartment in Seattle close to SU, or at least within the city limits. Or to somehow make contact with another in-coming SU student who would be willing to look for a two-bedroom with me. I really don't want to live with more than one person and I don't want to move in with someone who is already established in a place since I would feel like I was moving into their apartment and not like it was mine too.
*And, of course, to spend as much time as I can with friends I won't get to see once I move so very far away.
3 comments:
I can help you with that last one! We should get all the girls together soon and head down to Norfolk to celebrate my future lawyer friends who will help me out of sticky legal situations in the future :)
I am so proud of you-- these are all amazing goals, and I know you'll stick to them!! Go, you : )
I had to acquire a taste for coffee, too, and it took some time, but now I truly love it. If you ever want to go get coffee, just let me know ... I have a feeling I'll have late-night studying to do next year, too (Though I'll be able to call my pal Diana in Seattle, where it will not be so late, since I'll be on East coast time).
I agree that these are all great goals!
I've been working out a lot lately, and it definitely makes you feel great (even though I don't seem to look any different). Oh, and I love the jacket in the picture ... It would definitely be awesome to be able to wear it again!
22 books already? That's very impressive, especially considering you were in school.
As for coffee ... Try flavored CoffeeMate. My favorite is vanilla caramel. I won't drink coffee at my apartment without it (and two packets of artificial sweetener). I do drink coffee when I'm out, but I still use the sweetener and substitute cream for the CoffeeMate. It's not as tasty, but it's still really good. I don't know if you're trying to learn to drink it black, though. If that's the case ... Well ... I don't know what to say, really. I can't do it, and don't think I ever will.
I think you're very brave for driving cross-country alone. I love road trips, but I don't know if I could do that. I'm really very impressed by this. I know that you're nervous, but I'm sure you can do it! And, once you get to Seattle, it will totally be worth it. :-)
<3 Kristen
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