November Goals!

Bam. These are my goals for November.

November Goals 

1) Visit the UW German Club: There are two German-speaking clubs that meet up in the U-District... one at a greek restaurant on tuesdays and one at Bratz on Wednesdays.

Es wird Zeit, mehr Deutsch-sprachige Leute kennenzulernen! 

2) Go to the Gym!!!: Between busy-busy school days, field trips, trivia nights, PLU homework and a particularly nasty case of bronchitis, I haven't gotten to the gym at all, despite it being on my goal list for last month... and the fact I always keep my workout clothes/swimsuit in my car. This month my local gym's class schedule is in my car - sitting on my front seat - to motivate me to get my booty shaking!

Faster, Harder, Stronger. Thanks, Daft Punk! 

3) Network!!!: I'm finally going to meet some of the local german teachers at the German Student Conference this weekend... a perfect time to network my bum off! I'll be looking for a permanent placement come this spring (applications, applications!) and need to know where there'll be an opening. Setting up a few coffee dates and swapping ideas is always a good idea too!

Wie geht es Ihnen? 

4) Spend time with my grandparents: they're all not doing so very well, so I'd love to spend some quality time with them. I want to make a quiche for my Grammie, and maybe bring her a movie to watch. With my grandma, I'd like to bring her a craft to do together, or have her teach me something new on the sewing machine. Last time she had a ton of recipes to give me, and we had a blast looking through them all and talking about where they came from.

Grand they are, just grand! 

5) Focus on myself: I definitely need to do this. I've let it get away from me this last month, and now's the time to turn it around. :o) I need to take time to do what makes me happy and focus on my career and well-being, as opposed to trying to get to a "place" that I think everyone (society) wants me to be at. Will report back on my progress.

It's all about me! 

Gretchen's November Goals: 

(Keep a Contented Heart: Attitude)

1. Laugh Out Loud

2. Use good manners

3. Give positive reviews

4. Find an area of refuge

October Goals!

After an unscheduled break for September, I'm back with goals for October! In September, I moved to an AWESOME apartment in Seattle with my friend Jeanette. I also started full-time student teaching at a high school in Lynnwood. I'm teaching 2 periods of German and 2 of English 11 (cross your fingers for me!) ;o) So far so good, just busy, busy, busy! 

October Goals!

1) Hit the gym 2x a week: So far I haven't made it to the gym by my new apartment... I'm still getting adjusted to waking up at 5 am and coming home exhausted around 5 pm every day. Whew. Plus school and everything else. So here's to making time for exercise! I'm team captain for the Jingle Bell Run this year, so time to get my bum in gear! 

"I work out because I know I would've 

been the first to die in Hunger Games."

- Some-eCards

2) (Find and) Learn to play my harmonica: Heck Yes! I first bought a harmonica in Munich at a museum. Some people in my PLU class play the ukulele, and I'd love to join their lunchtime jams! Plus, what a random instrument to learn to play, right? 

"It's called the mouth-organ." 

- Jeanette

3) Find an awesome Halloween Costume: Bam. Awesome. That's usually what my halloween costumes are like. This year, I am toying with the idea of continuing my theme of Flight of the Conchords inspired attire. One year I was "so beautiful, like a treeeeee" ... this year I could be "beautiful like an air hostess from the 60s." ;o)  

"Eat, drink, and be scary!" 

- Author Unknown

4) Meet the neighbors: Since moving into our new apartment, Jeanette and I have yet to see our male neighbors. We're only 2 apartments to a floor, and we often hear them coming home or leaving (we're not stalkers. I swear.) But it'd be nice to know them. I wonder if I should just saunter on over and say hi, or devise an intricate plan for a chance encounter? ;o) Only time will tell. 

"Uh, er, can I borrow a cup of sugar?"

5) Successful Vancouver visit: One year (to the day) of my break-up, I'm going back up to Vancouver to visit my best friend Solen! She just turned 30, and alas, (due to school) I wasn't able to make it up for her birthday marathon (yes, she's awesome) but I'll be able to this weekend! Unfortunately it corresponds with a hard day for me. But... I will kick that day's butt and be awesome! Also, I'm bringing super-funny Jeanette, visiting my friend Molly, and surprising our friend Lydia, so lots of good to look forward to! :o)

"When I get sad, I stop being sad, and be awesome instead. True Story." 

- Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother)

August Goal #4!

Mamma Mia Sing-Along!!

Two Saturdays ago I met my dear friend Katie in Fremont for Mamma Mia! The Sing-Along! Lots of people showed up to belt out the tunes of ABBA. Katie brought us comfy camp chairs to chill in and we each had blankets to snuggle up with, despite the wonderful weather! The night was really comfortable - cool and clear! It was awesome to just sing along, uninhibited, to songs I know all the words to! My favorite part of the movie? When the whole audience cracked up at Pierce Brosnan's mediocre singing skills. My favorite song of the night? It's always going to have to be "Lay All Your Love On Me." My favorite part of the night? Hanging out and catching up with Katie! 

August Goals

August Goals

1) Eat even more fruit... take three! I did a lot better this month, but still need more! More, more, more! This is going to be a busy month for me, so I'm excited to take on this challenge.

An apple a day... take three!

2) Go on a hike! My cousin Leah and I are planning on hiking up Mt. Si this month. We did a hike last month, and Mt. Si is a more challenging one that we're excited to undertake! It's eight miles, but super steep – over 3000 feet is gained in elevation. I'm excited to get up on that mountain!

Mt. Si.... or Mt. Sigh? 

3) Find an apartment. My friend Jeanette and I are moving into Seattle proper! We're looking for a two-bedroom, 1-2 bathroom apartment in the Greenlake/Wallingford/Phinney Ridge area of Seattle. I'm really excited!

Home, Sweet, Home

4) Go to the movies... Outdoors! There are lots and lots of outdoor movies going on in Seattle this summer. The Harry Potter series at the Pacific Science Center, foreign language movies in Bellevue, and Mamma Mia, The Fifth Element, and Big Lebowski at Fremont Outdoor Movies. Lake Union Park is showing Harry and The Hendersons (the great Seattle film!) on Aug. 11th! Here's a complete list of movies and locations!

Under the stars... 

5) Develop some "meh"... as Jeanette would say. I've been doing a lot of socializing lately, and am known to be very nice to people, even people that I'm not interested in getting to know better. Thus, Jeanette says I need to get me some "meh" and build up some walls a bit. I think it's a good idea not to be an open book and to develop a thicker skin. I have to remind myself that it doesn't matter what other people think... especially if I will never see them again :o)

Here's to me! 

Gretchen's August Goals: Contemplate the Heavens: Eternity

1) read memoirs of catastrophe

2) keep a gratitude notebook

3) imitate a spiritual master

Have a lovely day!

July Goals

July Goals

1) Eat fruit: Ok, let's try this again. Since my goals of eating fruit was a failure of epic proportions (a friend of mine even forced me to buy only fruit at the farmer's market... and I've only since eaten the veggies! Gah. I frustrate myself.) This month, I'm going to actively think about it. I'm on a good start with lots of fresh raspberries, honeydew and nectarines (and a bottle of naked green machine juice!) Just got to keep it up now....

An apple a day, take two. 

2) Watch 3 documentaries: I love me a good documentary. I really do. But when I find myself with some extra time, what do I watch? TV shows. Is it that I don't have the attention span? Or the brain power to watch something educational? Well, I'm not sure, but this month I'm going to finally watch some of the films clogging my Netflix queue.

Almost real life. 

3) Visit two new fitness classes: Since I moved home in October, I've been going to Zumba regularly. And when I say regularly, I mean anywhere from 1-5 times a week. I've thrown in some spin, yoga, and recently (see below) hot yoga. But the gym really does have so much more to offer! This month I'd love to try some new classes.

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, yeah! 

4) Take one picture each day: I'm really excited about this one. It's been a "thing" on facebook to do this for a while now, and I think I'm finally ready to committing to bringing my camera everywhere with me to get the perfect shot for the "day". I found a website with a good list of themes and plan to post my progress. The first day? Take a self-portrait.

Snap!

5) Listen without interrupting: I can't help it. It runs on my dad's side of the family. We constantly interrupt each other, and each of us gradually gets louder during a conversation as well (to drown out competitors?) This month I'm going to try to be the best listener possible, because I know it'll help me to be the best friend possible!

Knock, Knock. 

Who's there?

Interrupting cow. 

Interrupting co-

Moo. 

********

Gretchen's Goals for July: 

(Buy some Happiness: Money)

Indulge in a modest splurge

Buy needful things

Spend out

Give something up

June Goal #2: Short Story

Seattle MothUP

The Moth is a group where people can share true stories with a live audience. Our Seattle group meets up at Roy Street coffee house on Capital Hill. 

The event is emceed by Paul, who is hilarious and has great commentary on each story told. 

Attendance is always high!

My story was about temptation. Although my knees were shaking and I forgot a few little facts I'd wanted to include (you're not allowed to read from notes!) I think I did really well. I went with 5 friends, who were super supportive and reported back that I had the audience laughing. 

It was so exciting! 

The next MothUP is at the end of July with the theme: Summer Lovin'. Should be interesting! 

May Goal #3: Hot Yoga

I've been going to yoga for about 2 years now, but never in all my born days have I tried Hot Yoga. I mean, who would want to get their bodies into uncomfortable, strenuous positions in a room heated to 105ºF (40ºC)????

But, my friend Suzie says it's great. So, I gathered up my courage (and mustered some excitement) and joined her for a class.... a pump class. What's pump, you ask? Well, not only is it yoga in a 105ºF room, but it's yoga with weights! Yikes! As I was checking in for the class, the attendant was surprised that I would choose pump as a first hot yoga class. "Wow," she said, "your friend must not like you very much to bring you to a pump class." Hmmm. Thanks Suz! 

And, indeed, the class was rediculious. First of all, we had a very grueling substitute instructor, who (Suzie informed me) was not anywhere near as good as the regular one. By one half hour I was wiped out. Laying on my mat, soaked with sweat, light-headed and just dead, I was counting down the minutes till the door would open and a life-saving rush of cold air could rejuvenate my exhausted body.

The only redeeming factor was, once the door was opened, the substitute instructor passed out ice cold washclothes for our foreheads. Ice cold, lavender-infused washclothes. I swear. That one little piece of chilled material saved my life and made the whole experience worth it. 

When I got home, I looked ready to keel over.  

Since I had purchased a ten-day pass, I felt I had to try hot yoga once more. So, Suzie and I (yet again) went to a Wednesday night Pump class. And yay! The original teacher, Mindy, was there... and she was awesome. She had a great mix of music and a good grip on pace. She had tons of energy and made us laugh. The class flew by and before I knew it, I had completely finished my first hot yoga class! 

I felt amazing!

I can't wait to go again.... 

Here's a few tips that helped me: HOT YOGA BEGINNER TIPS

June Goals

June Goals

1) Eat fruit: Even if it's just organic fruit roll-ups (á la the kind Clover and I enjoyed on our 18 hour U-Haul trip through WA, OR and CA) or just organic/pure fruit juice. I have no problem getting vegetables into my diet, but fruit... for some reason, it's an endless struggle!

"Apples and Oranges" 

2) Write a short story: Later this month, I'll be attending a storytelling group (Seattle Moth) with my co-worker friends. If you choose to write a short story (like I will be) then your name is added to the bowl, only to be picked out at random, inviting you up to read your story out loud in front of LOTS of strangers. I'm nervous, scared and excited. :o) This month's theme? Temptation.

"Write what you know." ~ Jo March

3) Make-over my car: Poor '96 Honda, my little friend needs new brakes and completely new windshield wipers. In addition, after its trek to Vancouver and Anacortes, it's in deathly need of a good washing.

"Vroom, vroom, vroom." 

4) Buy concert tickets: After going to the Bon Iver concert with Solen (They were amazing! Soul-stiring even) I've been inspired to go to more shows. I've always gone to lots of concerts (especially durning college) but during grad school, it waned to 3-4 times a year. Time to go again and see what's our there!

"A concert is not a live rendition of our album. It's a theatrical event!" 

~ Freddie Murcury

5) Write letters to my friends: it's so easy to send out an email, but nothing beats getting real mail. I love seeing my name on the front of a letter, ripping open the envelope and sitting down to read a friend's words in their own handwriting.

"To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere 

without moving anything but your heart."  

~Phyllis Theroux

Gretchen's June Goals: Make Time for Friends

1) Remember Birthdays

2) Be Generous 

3) Show up

4) Don’t gossip

5) Make three new friends

MAY GOAL #5: Green Thumbs

It's alpine strawberry time! 

Here's what they look like close up:

 They pack such a delicious punch of strawberry flavor - without the watery-ness of larger strawberries. Here are my three little pots :o)

And my lavender, silver licorice and dahlias! 

The Pursuit

May Goal #2: Farmers Market

On Saturday my mom and I went down to the Puyallup Farmers Market. There were so many people! We picked up some great leeks and asparagus and I got a mother's day present for my Grammie. It was such a bright, beautiful day! I can't wait to frequent more Markets in the area!

April Goal #3: Join a new club!

Since moving back to the Seattle area in October, I've been participating in a book club: "Judge a book by its cover." We literally pick our next books based purely on the cover design. I love it. But recently I've gotten the urge to join another club... which, mixed with an intense love of strategy board games, lead me to become a member of the Seattle Alternative Board Game club. 

I adore board games. Especially Settlers of Catan, my all-time-favorite. So, I was really excited to hear that there's a club that meets to play games like Settlers, Carcassone, Ticket to Ride, etc. The club usually meets on wednesday nights in Belltown, and unfortunately I was busy. 

But alas! There would also be a meeting on monday night in Capitol Hill. So I dropped by, only to find I was the only girl there. Getting a drink at the bar with Jake (the organizer, who, randomly, I know from college) I asked, "Do any other girls usually come?" Giving me a strange look, he says, "Sometimes. But, uh, didn't you know this was cross-listed with the Seattle Gamers... G-A-Y-mers?"

Ah-ha! Light bulb! So that's why it was all guys. Not that it was a problem, because I "settled" (pun intended) myself down with five lovely gentlemen and played Power Grid First Sparks... a fantastic game! The night was full of drinks and laughs (naughty gay boys!) and, randomly, I got hit on by a guy who apparently was the only straight guy there. Not my type, but a good end to the evening! 

Since then, I've been frequenting the wednesday game nights more often, but it's not because the monday 'gay'me night wasn't fun! :o)

MAY GOALS

1) Smile at strangers: there are so many benefits to smiling. In fact, here's a list of the benefits provided by Lance Armstrong's foundation Live Strong (of yellow rubber bracelet fame). Interestingly, women smile an average of 62 times a day, men smile only an average of 8. Brighten up someone's day!

"Don't be stingy with your smiles!"

2) Visit more Farmer's Markets: I've always been a great lover of farmer's markets and I frequented them in Vancouver and Vienna. This year, I've only made it out to Ballard, but plan to get to Puyallup, Tacoma and West Seattle! Fremont market and another trip to Ballard is also in order :o) 

"Eat Local!!!"

3) Try hot yoga: My dear friend Suzie loves hot yoga and it's time I tried it! I love regular temperature yoga, why not turn it up a notch? I plan to take one (or two or ten) hot yoga classes. :o)

"Sweat, baby, sweat!"

4) Have a Garage Sale: I've been thinking about this forever - it's time to reduce! I want to get my garage sale done before I start school... that means May! It's time to collect, price and sell! 

"Sell, Sell, Sell!"

5) Plant Strawberries: My favorite strawberries are Fraise de Bois (aka Alpine Strawberries). They're small, long and super, super tasty. When I was in Croatia, they would sell mason jars full at the farmer's market. Heaven! I just have to track down a few plants and get them in the ground... 

"Lips as red as... strawberries!" 




Gretchen's May Goals: Be Serious About Play

1) Find more fun

2) Take time to be silly

3) Go off the path

4) Start a collection 

April Goal #2: Pinterest Craft #2!

Here's another pinterest inspired creation! 

My necklace:

Anthroplogie's version: 

April Goal #5: living in the now... at lunch.

Today at work I walked into the lunchroom and spotted my friends sitting at a table in the middle of the room.

Pulling out a chair, I animatedly exclaimed: "I'm SO hungry!"

To that my friend Martha replied, "Well, good, because we're eating lunch."

"We ARE, aren't we?!" I realized.

This was one of my first Ah-Ha moments while trying to "live in the now." I'm hungry, hence I'm eating. I'm right where I need to be: in the present. Lucky me!