Promises I Intend To Keep

In the spirit of following in the footsteps of nearly everyone on my Facebook Feed, I decided yesterday to share my 2013 year in review. Now, looking forward, there are a few things I'd like to share with whoever reads this blog about my goals for 2014. That way, I have them in writing, and I have people to hold me accountable.

1. Write more. The last few "starts of seasons," I've said I was going to finish a book, or a story, but looking back I know that's super unrealistic. With work (more about my new job to come), school starting back up and just normal life, I think writing this blog and working some here and there on my writing will be enough to keep the creative juices flowing.

2. Have more life experiences. I recently read somewhere that it's hard to write when you have nothing to write about. This, I'm coming to realize, is incredibly true. I had a ton of life experiences last year, but a lot of them were DECA related, which is hard to work into a novel. In 2014, I want to explore more places, do more things, and experience the world around me - maybe a little bit more than the world of my computer.

3. Actually use my planner. I have a $35 planner from Lilly that I NEVER use. Literally, the only things I put in it are big dates on my monthly. This year, I want to start using it more for classes, planning this blog, and keeping track of commitments with friends.

4. Interact with more online content creators. There was a time, long ago, when I followed 40 different blogs and interacted with their writers on a near daily basis. Today, I only keep in touch with one, Micaela, via Facebook. I would LOVE to find more friends online, and actually interact with them as the year goes on.

5. Get involved on campus. Last semester, it was virtually impossible to do much more than the 2 successful DECA meetings we held. I went straight from my 8-12 classes to 1-6 work half an hour away, missing pretty much all university sponsored events. The upside to having a more flexible employer and taking my classes online? A ton more chances to get involved on campus, and possibly spread the word about UNT Collegiate DECA in the process.

And on that note...Congrats to UNT on their Heart of Texas Bowl win this afternoon! I may not have a ton of school spirit, but I am incredibly proud of my Mean Green players.

What are YOUR New Year's resolutions? How do you intend on making sure they happen? And leave your blog in your comment if you have one! Let's make #4 happen.

I can feel it

Just one month till school starts. One month, and so much to do!

I'm currently enrolled in French II and PE online, and I've literally done one lesson out of the two semesters worth of classes I need to take. These, along with my online Econ class I plan on enrolling in, will allow me to be at the district Technology Center all day, rather than my home high school.

I praise Jesus for letting that happen. Seriously. But I can feel school slowly closing in on me. Between now and the 27th of August, I've got DECA trips, Fish Camp (Freshman Orientation, for which I am one of the couselors), work, work, and oh, more work.

As I'm writing things down in my (brand new, Lilly Pulitzer) agenda, I'm literally just sitting there going "OH MY GOD I HAVE NO TIME."

Yes. You heard me right. My mother, or as I like to call her, Master Planner, after hearing my comment about Carly from The College Prepster having the cutest Lilly Pulitzer agenda, bought me one. I use my iCalendar for almost everything, but this is great for times where I'm on the phone, or want to have something open with my dates while checking my email.

August so far. Note that no work days have been added yet.

My personal favorite part of the agenda-STICKERS.

I had a heart attack looking at those three weeks in September. This is what I get for being homecoming chair!

There are moments where I regret taking so much on-when I miss events with friends or have to reschedule plans. But then I remember that it's what's going to get me places in life.

Speaking of life, I've had a recent development. I got-get this-a puppy!

One of my Faire Family members and her mother found a brother and sister schnauzer pair running across a major street near their house before a party they were hosting for July Birthdays  (IE, mine).

Everyone say hello to Lacey!

I took home the sister, and my parents are still hesitant about her, but I've been taking care of her while I'm at home (which is in the three hours I'm awake before work, and the three after). She's currently laying next to me on my bed, belly up with her feet straight in the air. I was told by a friend at the party that she is me in dog form. I sincerely hope I don't look like that when I'm asleep.

Things are about to get fun again around here. Sunday, myself and the rest of the Texas State Officers are going to the Rangers game, before we leave for the Emerging Leader Summit in LA Monday. Part of me is super excited to go back home to LA, but another is super sad because I won't be seeing any family or friends while I'm out there.

I have a round of back to school outfits I'll be posting pretty soon-when Mom and I went shopping we did a round of back to school stuff too.

PS: What do you guys think about the new layout? I find it quite fetching, if I do say so myself.

Till then, toodles,

Holly