Day 16| 5 Greatest accomplishments

1. Graduating high school. As I've said before my senior year was a very difficult one for my family. I am impressed that I made it through, maintained a high GPA, and got into college.
2. Graduating college. College graduation is not the norm for my mom's side of the family and I am proud to be in the minority. I feel that college was the first true test of my intelligence, integrity, and perseverance  
3. Graduating from graduate school. On Saturday I will obtain my second degree in Social Work. My first year in grad school I worked full time for the state in a stressful position. These past two years have been more stressful than I realized. Leaving my job to finish school was a very difficult decision because I felt secure there. The fact that I made it is great and the fact that I have also maintained a high GPA is icing. 
4. Dancing on a cruise ship. Two years ago I went on my first cruise, as part of the trip my dance studio performed. It was so awesome, I felt like a real performer dealing with difficult circumstances and still putting on a good show. 
5. Snorkeling for my 26th birthday. As part of the aforementioned cruise I was able to snorkel, rock climb and do other outdoor sports. I was scared and apprehensive about this since I can't swim and have not done many things up high. I was proud of myself for trying and not becoming too freaked out. 

Day 15| If I could be an animal.....

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I think I would be a dog if I had to choose. I think dogs have a pretty sweet life. Dogs have companionship with humans which can look very different depending on the person. Dogs are well taken care of, often, and have simple jobs. Eat, sleep, play, listen and respond, and be there for one main person. 

I would think the worst part of being a dog would be being unable to talk. Also not understanding all of what a human might want from me. I also know its often lonely for a dog when people leave them 

Day 14| My Strengths

Describe 5 strengths you have

 

 

 

 

Weaknesses then strengths eh 30 day challenge? Well as a social worker I should know all about the strengths perspective shouldn't I? I think it is so easy to see weaknesses in yourself and others because that is the nature of society. We focus so much on what is wrong with things or what is not the way we want it, when someone turns the tables on us its disconcerting. I have been thinking about this day's challenge since yesterday and don't feel certain that I have solidified 5 but here goes....

 

1. I'm strong. I have experienced the normal hard situations that most people go through as well as some other hard things that are less frequent in my life. I believe that I have been able to do so very well.
2. I am loyal. I go hard for my friends, supporting them, standing up for them, being an advocate for them. I value friendship very highly and love to find others who have the same value.
3. I am smart. I feel a little more confident saying this now that I have received my final grades this semester 3.91 in grad school. *blows fingernails and wipes on shirt* I also feel that along with this I am fairly street smart and intuitive. I really trust the feelings I get with no real explanation. Though at times this is clouded by my personal feelings.
4. I am very self aware when it comes to my feelings. I think I have made great improvements in this area in recent years. I know what I am feeling and why usually.
5. I'm caring. I love children, animals, and many people (: I will often try to help dogs I see  that are stray, and even cats if they are really in need. I love to smile at children at the store and help them when I can. I have been working with children since my first ever job in high school and I don't foresee this ending if I have anything to say about it.

 

So as I thought this was difficult for me and I got stuck half way through....gotta work on this. 

Day 13| My weaknesses

Describe 5 weaknesses you have

 Only 5? Okay let's prioritize....

1. I hate conflict and avoid it with a passion, so if I need to address it I don't. Often people have no clue when I am upset with them. Meaning that I hold it in forever until I can no longer and then they have no clue why I am upset.
2. I rarely ask for what I need. I don't like to be needy or vulnerable too often. It makes me uncomfortable, so I only trust those really close to me to be completely open with.
3. I don't know how to flirt or really talk to men, once I like them or could like them I lose the ability to express myself. Then when they make a statement like "I like you" I have no clue what to do with it and pretend it didn't happen.
4. I am a worrier. If I have a test, or interview, presentation, or feel I did/said something wrong I worry. I replay the scene over and over again in my head or catastrophize the possible outcomes.
5. My last and best weakness is food namely french fries, bread, and diet Dr. Pepper. I have to try really hard to avoid these things and sometimes don't make it through the day without them. :(

Day 12| Typical day

Describe a typical day in your current life

 

 

Yes I am well aware I am a whole day late on this, but I am sure you will forgive me. I totally planned to do it but I was catching up with childhood friend yesterday.

 

So since right now my life is pretty boring (packing for my move, hanging out) I will describe my life from last week and before.

 

Typically I wake up and depending on Summer's (my dog) Summer Chronicles Part 2 needs I will either take a shower or take her for a morning walk. Then I would study or prepare in some other way for class.  I would then attend class for 4 hours, then immediately get in my car and drive to a little town nearby to teach dance classes. Following that I would typically shop for groceries as needed go home eat dinner and do school work or search for jobs. I also squeeze in episodes of my favorite shows of the moment ( The Voice, Bates Motel, Secret Life of the American Teenager, Love and Hip Hop ATL etc.). Then I would finish the night off with Frasier, King of Queens and Adult swim as a get ready for bed. Summer gets a nightly walk around this time.

 

Sorry for the not so exciting topic this day. 

Day 11| 10 Pet Peeves

Describe 10 pet peeves you have.

 

 

1. When peope drive close behind you and/or creep at stop lights/signs                 This is super annoying to me, especially when I am stationary and they continue to get closer and closer.
2. When people stand too close behind you in line. Why do this? Ugh!
3. Rude people in food services/customer services positions. If you don't like people don't work in a job were you come in contact with tons of them.
4. When people don't respond to your texts but then get upset if you don't respond right away to their messages.
5. The fact that so much communication with other people is done through text messaging and online programs. I really miss letters and phone calls
6. Meeting guys online who become uninterested if you won't drive out of town to meet them on the first date. Where did the gentlemen go? Don't they understand how unsafe that is for a woman?
7. When people tell you that they "keep it 100" or are honest all the time, when that is the opposite of their actual personality. Show don't tell.
8. When men don't hold the door for you, not necessarily men you know just those you see out in public. I thought we were still doing the whole common decency thing.
9. To tie in with the above- When people in my apartment complex don't hold the door as I come in after them. Really?!?!
10. When people use reply all irresponsibly. Know your audience and when this is appropriate. I would say if there are more than three people on the email with you, reply all is not appropriate.
 
 

Day 10| Embarrassing moment

Describe your most embarrassing moment

 

 

 

Well I would say I have had my share of small embarrassments: tripping up the stairs, sliding my feet while walking and jumping forward, and finding out that my pants had ripped in the crotch during a day out.

The one most embarrassing moment of my life has been so for over 14 years. I think it was not all that embarrassing on its own but the context in which it happened really. Picture this ( a la Sophia from Golden Girls) 1999 in the Waco High School gym during drill team tryouts. A 13 year old 8th grader is trying out for her first high school activity. She is showing the other girls how far she can go down in the splits and successfully navigating the social situation. Seconds later she yawns and breaks wind and it is clear to everyone that it was her. For the remainder of her 4 years in high school one of the girls that tried out with her laughs at her daily for having done this. If this happened to me today, no big deal but here I was on the verge of teenager-hood. I was trying to be all grown up and impressive and this was the first thing all of the seniors remembered me for. But it also got me over that hump and broke the ice. I am sure something else more embarrassing has happened to me, but this was the most memorable.

 

See you tomorrow!