I firmly resolve... with the help of Your Grace ...

So it's that time of year again! Happy New Year!

But first, a look back at last year and how I did:

2010 Resolutions:

* Continue to eat healthy (mostly vegetarian w/ some cheating once in a while!)
* Daily Mass 3x a week; 30 min. adoration 1x week.
* Go to two social events per week outside regular MDiv socializing.
* Improve my relationships with my parents and close friends by improving communication and being more open and vulnerable about what's on my mind / heart.
* Spend at least 1 hour per day in the library and less time playing Spider Solitaire on my Laptop - in other words, keep my 3.9 GPA.
* Do some fun physical activity 2x per week!
* Go on AT LEAST ONE DATE next year! (an improvement over 2009).
* Continue to grow in compassion for others.
* BOUNDARIES BOOTCAMP RESOLUTIONS!

How I did:

* I did well with eating well this year. I've continued to maintain a healthy weight level - which is actually lower than what I weighed even in high school! =)
* I made it to daily Mass 1x a week. Not that great.
* Did not go to two regular social events outside of regular MDiv socializing, but definitely made more of an effort to keep in touch with people and to setup coffee dates. I also went to a few events on my own!
* I definitely have worked on my relationship with my parents and have really gained some good insight about them this past year.
* I did not spend any time in the library. I am still addicted to computer games - PACMAN has taken over my life! My GPA remains very good.
* I have yet to be successful in incorporating physical activity into my life.... need to work on this!
* I went on lots of dates in 2010 - =) O Happiness!
* I feel like I've made leaps and bounds as far as compassion for others and myself goes - and I'm continuing to strengthen my boundaries!

2011 New Year's Resolutions:

* Continue to eat healthy
* Do some fun physical activity 2x per week in order to get into better physical shape to prepare myself for life after graduation.
* Improve my prayer life (set aside time for daily prayer, and try to get to daily Mass 2x a week!) - this also includes (more) regular reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation...
* Learn to cook Middle Eastern Food
* Continue to work on learning Arabic.
* To survive my final semester of Graduate School without going insane or having a nervous breakdown!
* To work on growing in virtue and give up a particular habitual sin I'm struggling with.
* Put what is most important first: God, relationships, responsibilities, etc. and not stress about unnecessary things.
* To not be a bridezilla.
* To be true to myself.
* To continually challenge myself to greater openness with others.
* To squash criticism, pessimism, dissention, suspicion, etc. in my life and foster acceptance, patience, trust, and humility instead.

Budgeting for Real Life #2:

So I just went back and looked at my credit card statements to see how I am doing with keeping track of my spending.

Yikes! I knew I had forgotten to enter a few receipt totals into my budget excel sheet, but i figured it didn't amount to all that much since they were usually small purchases - a latte here, a book there.

Grand total of unaccounted for expenditures: roughly $320.

I'm not doing as well as I had hoped. And with the holidays around the corner, I am trying to convince not to spend too much this Christmas, which is going to be very difficult for me.

Thankfully, my Mom decided we're keeping Christmas simple this year - she sent us this video from Youtube called the Advent Conspiracy.



Anyway, as I think about working as a Catholic school teacher next year, and the high probability that I won't exactly be rolling in the dough, I'm going to have to really cut back...

The thing is - I keep telling myself that I don't actually spend that much money. And compared to some peers, I don't. I've been better than I was last year...  But right now, while I do not have a balance on my credit card and I do have money in the bank, the fact of the matter is that I feel like I should have at least $3,000 (half of my year long goal to save $6,000) currently in my banking account, which I currently don't - (not even close!).

Hopefully the situation will improve. I am determined to make my goal - and it's not too late (yet). Wish me luck!

Gratitude Continued

AHHH! I forgot to list a number of very important things I am thankful for:

* For the opportunity to travel to the Holy Land and all the graces that God gave me during that pilgrimage;
* For voicemails from my adorable godson!
* For public libraries that have great collections

more to come!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's been a while since my last post - Things have been insane here! Anyway, I thought I'd repeat the tradition I started last year and make a list of everything I'm thankful for this year:

This year, I am thankful for  (with some repeats, and some new additions from last year):

* Reconnecting with old friends
* My students at Marian High School - especially 9th hour and for my Mentor teacher!
* Greater clarity about where I am going next year after the Mdiv
* for حبيبي , my love! and especially all the ways he makes me aware of God's incredible love for me.
* for forgiveness, mercy, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
* for humility, realizing my human limitations and yet how much God loves me even in my littleness and weakness.
* for peace and balance in life.
* for the women of Cavanaugh hall, and all the ways they have given me opportunities to mentor them, walk beside them, pray with them, live, and laugh with them!
* opportunity to study at Notre Dame and for my scholarship which makes it free!
* for the fact that I only have one more semester left of university study ! - in other words, that I'm almost done with homework FOREVER! (or at least until I pursue another degree ;)) 
* growth in my relationship with my family members
* For my doctor and counselor - for the ways they have helped me to overcome the cyclical (as related to PMS) depression i've struggled with for so long!
* new spiritual insights - things God has taught me / showed me this year
*greater clarity about my unique calling in life
* my health, which I often take for granted
* pastors, catechists, youth ministers, professors who have taught me the faith
* my classmates - who teach me so much and challenge me to grow
* best friends, who are always only a phone call away and offer love, support, and encouragement
* the beauty of the Fall here at Notre Dame
* puppies
* my housekeeper who cleans my room every week and who is a wonderful woman!
* squirrels
* great blogs that encourage me and help me cope with struggles in life
* great books which inspire me to do something great with my life
* the Word of God which always has an encouraging or challenging word to speak to my heart
* for the Eucharist which sustains me on this earthly journey.
* for the hospitality which others lavish on me
* opportunities for quality time
* others who have reached out to me
* For the opportunity to study the Arabic language and for my teacher
* for the beauty of the Arabic culture* dining hall workers - particularly the card swipers!
* queen sized beds
* many other things...