See, I am doing a new thing! ...I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

So, the title is a little dramatic.  I'm not exactly paving a way through the desert, nor am I digging canals in this so called 'wasteland.'  However, that is not to say that these New Year's resolutions are a walk in the park either.  Sit back, relax, and get ready for a riveting read about me trying to better myself in this life....
I think I'll write this blog as though I were writing a report about one of my students.  I love writing reports so much, I'll write one about myself.

Health & Fitness:  Judy sees fitness as a necessary part of life.  Likewise, she demonstrates a strong desire to have a fit mind and body.  She has a gym membership and uses it frequently.  She enjoys eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  Judy recognizes that healthful foods and exercise minimize external and internal stressors.  Judy has two annual goals in this area.

Goal:  Workout five days per week.
Progress:  Three weeks into program, Judy has met this goal.  She has expressed anxiety over not meeting this goal.  She has figured out ways to make up work outs that she might miss over the weekend.  She continues to seek at least 150 minutes of exercise per week.  Judy will continue to be monitored and assessed in this area.

Goal:  Lose weight.
Progress:  Two weeks since beginning a weight loss program, Judy has lost 4.4 lbs.  It is surmised that Judy is mentioning this in her blog to garner accolades for her weight loss.  Despite a pint of gelato over the weekend, Judy is still on target on her weight loss plan.  Judy has many more pounds to go, but will continue to set small goals each week, in order to reach her larger goal in the summer. Judy will continue to be monitored and assessed in this area.

Hygiene:  Judy finds hygiene to be of utmost priority.  She prefers to shower twice daily and wash her hair on a daily basis, although discouraged by her hair dresser.  Judy maintains a clean appearance and is well-kept on most days.  She does not believe she should have to look "public ready" during weekends and will often choose to wear "lounge wear" instead of typical street clothes she would normally wear.  She acknowledges that she feels better when she is showered, her hair and make up are done, and has a cute outfit on.  Judy has two goals in this area.

Goal:  Stop biting nails.
Progress:  Judy does not express concern over the health issues that comes with biting her nails, but rather does not like the looks of nails that are bitten.  She prefers long fingernails, so she can have them manicured.  Judy suffered a set back during the University of Oregon Ducks versus Auburn Tigers football game.  She cites nerves as being the primary excuse for biting.  At present, her fingernails on the left hand are growing at a substantially quicker rate than those on the right hand.  So far, there is no explanation for this.  She will continue to monitor herself in this area.

Goal:  Floss three to four times per week.
Progress:  Judy has met this goal once over the past three weeks.  She was eager and motivated to floss in the first week.  She did not meet this goal in the second week.  Judy cites being "busy" and unable to attend to her dental care.  She expressed regret over starting this goal and has been considering revising this goal to two times per week.  Judy will continue to monitor herself in this area, and make changes as she sees necessary.

Perspective Taking:  Judy has been working on staying positive and minimizing her superficiality.  She considers her mood to be positive over the past two weeks.  She cited last weekend as having the most difficulty in being positive.  She expressed anxiety over not being able to control situations and, therefore, putting her in a negative head space.  She has also expressed a strong dislike of being in that space, but believes she is almost powerless to stop it.  In these situations, Judy has attempted to find something positive even though she acknowledged it was far easier to just stay angry, sad, or otherwise upset.  She continues to rely on friends and family, writing, and sleeping as an outlet.  Judy has one goal in the area of perspective taking.


Goal:  Increase positivity and decrease superficiality
Progress:  Overall, Judy is well on her way to meeting this goal.  She has temporary set backs but seems able to recover from them and navigate through her days.  She is working on decreasing worry, as she believes that is the major contributing factor to her mood.  Judy will continue to receive feedback from family and friends.  She will continue to work on this goal.  


Spirituality:  Judy strives to create a closer relationship with God.  She has added, "Me and My God Don't Need A Middle Man" to her iPod playlist.  She listens to it as a reminder to speak to God everyday.  She is successfully talking to God every evening and morning.  Note:  She speaks to God in her head, and does not disturb others by talking aloud.  She does not appear psychotic at this time. Judy has one goal in this area. 

Goal:  To grow spiritually.
Progress:  There is little to no way to monitor whether this is happening.  According to Judy, she states that she is making progress.  She has added morning prayers to her prayer routine.  Judy has been able to stay awake through evening prayers on most nights, she says.  Judy is working towards going to mass each week, as she has missed one week of services, at this time.  She will continue working on her relationship with 'Big Man Upstairs."

Stress Reduction:  Judy believes that blogging once per week reduces her amount of stress.  She has stated that it clears space in her head and allows her to share her world with others.  Judy seems to censor  some information that goes into her blog, but is adamant that she shares enough to clear ample space in her brain.   She has decided that blogging once per week is necessary to dump the "unnecessary" information.  She also enjoys telling funny anecdotes and, generally, just speaking about whatever is on her mind.  Judy has one goal in this area. 


Goal:  Blog once per week.  (Specifically, on Tuesday nights)
Progress:  So far, Judy is meeting this goal.  She has created a solid routine and is sticking to it.  Remarkably, she has decided to not schedule any outside activities on Tuesday evenings so she can dedicate herself to her blog.  She is encouraged by her readers, and hopes they, too, will get into a routine in reading her blog each and every Wednesday morning.  She will continue to practice on this goal, as she is only three weeks into her program.  Judy will continue to receive feedback from friends on this schedule.

Thank you dear readers, I am well onto my way for a pretty good 2011!

Today's List:  8 Great Reasons for Living in Oregon
1.  Rain...obviously
2.  Snow...doubly obvious
3.  Sunshine
4.  My family is here
5.  My friends are here
6.  Trees
7.  Clean air
8.  Drinking from the tap

Stay tuned for next week's topic:  Trials in communicating with men:  Are we from the same planet?

Fresh out...
J money