I can’t believe that the year (and I was reminded that also the decade) is almost over. It seems like I was in my early twenties just yesterday, which is how old I was when this decade began. I think back on all the things that I have gone through since 2000, and how much I have overcome, and I am proud of myself.
I’m now a 31-year old woman with two wonderful children, and have the career that I almost always wanted. I say almost because I still want to branch out on my own full-time. I’m healthier than ever, and I am also happier as well. For the first time in my life, I can say that I love all the people around me. There is also no drama in my life. Whenever someone asks me, “Hey, how’s it going?” It isn’t how it was before where I would go and explain all the stressful crap I was dealing with. Now? I just say, “Same ol’, same ol.” It feels amazing to just say that.
One of the things that I always do during the holidays is watch “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The movie shows that if you have your family, friends, and your life, you will always find a way to be alright. It’s something that I finally understood this year.
Another lesson I learned is that I shouldn’t compare myself to other people. Even if someone has something that I want, I shouldn’t envy her, or be sad that I don’t have it, I just have to make more of an effort for myself. Also, be happy for the things that I do have.
Here are my 2010 yearly goals:
http://www.43things.com/2010_resolutions/person/dcfemella
I am not a resolution-type of person. I usually have a five-year plan, and then I break them down to yearly goals, and then those to monthly goals. I made almost all of my 2009 yearly goals, and so I know that this time, I will make all of my 2010 ones.
Well, I shall return next year.
Everyone, have a good one, make some goals, and remember what’s important.
Photo details: Happy New Year 2010 illustration, originally uploaded by FLOP DESIGN.
The kids’ school sent home voluntary forms for the kids to participate in Math-A-Thon. When I saw that it began with the words “Math,” and my daughter needed a little initiative when it comes to learning, I decided to check out the site to see what it was all about. Math-A-Thon is a volunteer-based fundraising program for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a pediatric treatment and research facility where doctors treat children with serious diseases, like cancer. The hospital is where other doctors send their patients when they have run out of solutions. It is doing wonderful things for children, and its doctors usually are paving the way in medical solutions that will one day be the norm. Many of their work is funded by donations by individuals all over the world (including me). When I saw that the Math-A-Thon was for St. Jude Children’s Research Hopsital, I jumped at the chance to enroll Isabelle and Cebastian.
On top of the fact that the children are helping children with critical diseases, they are also sharpening their math and comprehension skills. This is how St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital explains the Math-A-Thon:
“The program includes a free math curriculum supplement for grades K-8 that students complete after obtaining sponsorships from family and friends. Benefits The benefits of Math-A-Thon add up to help a good cause. Students who participate will: improve math and comprehension skills solve age-appropriate math problems understand the importance of helping others This all equals help for St. Jude patients battling cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases. How it Works The Math-A-Thon DVD is shown and students take home the Student/Parent Guide. Students return the signed permission/consent form to the coordinator. Students obtain sponsors, and then complete their Funbook by solving a variety of math problems. After completing the problems, students collect donations from their sponsors and return them to their coordinator. Students and schools earn prizes depending on total funds collected.”
The site is organized by grade level and it shows seven activities, initially. The kids and I went through them, and they are a little harder than what they are learning at school, and I’m glad. It forces them to actually think about the problem, instead of having the answer right in front of them.
If your school offers Math-A-Thon, definitely enroll your child(ren) in it. It’s a great program that helps your children help children with life-threatening diseases while doing it in an educational way.
Dear Slow Cooker,
I don’t know why it took me so long to understand how wonderful you are. You have helped me save money, time, and lose weight. This project I’m on is tiring, and I now don’t have any excuses to head to a restaurant 5 days a week because I am too tired and didn’t have time to cook anything. All I do is cut a few things, plop them in, and you do the rest.
I don’t have any reason to snack anymore while I wait for the food to cook because you are ready and waiting to serve. You know what I really love about you? The aromatics that float out of you and reach my nose right when I enter the house. We quickly eat and can move on to other things.
The time I save is crazy. You have given me back a few minutes to almost of hour of night left, so I can spend more time with the kids. There are always leftovers, so I can take food to work. You should see the envious looks I get when I am in the kitchen, while everyone else has frozen meals. I smile because they could have just as good and easy.
You make me feel like I’m one of the Jetsons cause I just press button and POOF, the food is ready.
Thank you and love always,
Shevonne
