A 40 by 40 update

22 months in, and I figured it was time for a (brief) 40x40 update. 

There are a few things I can successfully cross off the list:

my new digital camera

• 7.  Buy a new digital camera and learn to use it.  I bought a new camera in January 2012 – a Canon PowerShot G12 – and have been slowly, but surely, improving my knowledge of and skill with it.  I don’t anticipate having it fully “figured out” right away.  I was still learning new ways to get my old camera to do what I wanted after using it actively for 10 years.  I don’t expect me work with this new camera to be any different.
• 9.  Get a full-time job with benefits. & 10. Get insurance.  I have a full-time job with benefits, including full insurance coverage – medical, dental, and vision.  Yippee.  (Mind you, the job is unbelievably stressful and consumes every second of my time.  But I have a paying job.  And I have benefits.  Now, the caveat to that is that this past October was the first time I have had to visit the ER in at least 10 years and my reason for going was a direct result of my job.  Ironic, in a sick, twisted kind of way.  Oh, and now the insurance says they won’t pay for my ER visit.  So happy to have insurance...  I sound bitter, don’t I...)

There are a few things I’m working on or have comments related to:

• 2.  Travel to at least five continents. 

  

  My 5th grade class and I at Shanti Bhavan in India.

  I did NOT succeed in progressing forward on this goal, but I did spend time travelling.  I spent January through April of 2012 living in India (which you may not have known about because I didn’t write about it here, but I did write about it here).  So, while I can’t cross another continent off my checklist, I feel very lucky to be able to add a new country to my list of “places I’ve been.”
• 15.  Learn more ASL.  In a round-about way, I am slowly learning more ASL.  In the classroom where I teach, I have several ESL students (whose first languages are Turkish, Arabic, and Sinhala).  I have found ASL to be a wonderful tool for the entire class.  It is new to everyone, gives us all a shared space for language learning and can be paired with spoken English without slowing down communication.  It has been really valuable for my students, and for me.  (Plus, I use it with my 17 month old niece, who doesn’t speak verbally yet, but knows several signs and applies them accurately and with high consistency.  Being able to use ASL helps her explain what needs and wants to the adults around her.  And I love it!)  In my classroom, my students and I regularly use the full ASL alphabet, colors, a series of basic words (eat, drink, milk, water, more, please, thank you, etc.), and sing four or five bilingual songs in ASL and English (and then apply the ASL vocabulary elsewhere in our daily routines).  In addition to books, I have been really lucky to make friends with a teaching assistant that works next door to me.  She is an ASL major and helps me with any signs I need.  I have a LONG, LONG way to go before really “knowing” ASL, but I have been enjoying this extension of what I knew before.



My niece and my mother playing the same piano I play.

• 25.  Play the piano regularly again.  I am continuing to enjoy having regular access to a piano.  Sometimes, in moments of immense stress, I take five minutes to play and then can keep going.  I am grateful to have the piano as part of my regular life now. 
• 34.  Teach on the college/university level.  I am kind of doing this now – in a round-about way.  Part of my new job requires me to work with student teachers and field students in my classroom.  So, while I am not teaching a formal course, I intensely mentor 4-5 teachers-in-training every semester.  This means that I share resources with them, I set goals and expectations for their growth and development, I evaluate their process, and I guide their work.  It is incredibly demanding work, but I am enjoying it.
• 36.  Enroll in continuing adult education courses or certificate programs.  This is another of those “I hadn’t intended to do this right now, but...” bullet points.  Being hired into my new job was contingent on getting my teacher licensure in Ohio within a year of hiring.  The local university won’t submit my materials to the State without my updating what they perceive to be “gaps” in my past coursework.  (They noted two gaps – 1. updated math content – which the head of the program says I don’t need, and 2. a course on intercultural/international communication in education – which was pretty much my entire Masters program, but they don’t care.)  So, as Spring semester starts, I’ll be back in the classroom as a student, taking a course – Intercultural Dimensions of Teaching and Learning – that sounds AMAZING.  What worries me is that I am uncertain I can manage the load of work AND taking a class.  Wish me luck, patience, time, and sanity.
• 39.  Learn basic videography and video editing.  While I am in no way “good” at this or even have a really solid knowledge of it, I have been practicing it a ton in the past few months.  So, I can edit together little videos with transitions, captions, and the like.  Lots more to learn, but it’s a beginning.

And there are a few things I have been utterly horrible at and need to redouble my efforts towards:

• 1.  Be a better communicator with friends.  Yeah, I have sucked at this so immensely and royally that I’m not always sure I even still have friends. When I moved out of Chicago in June 2011, I felt like I was in transition and had this inclination to put off reconnecting with folks until I “got settled” in whatever new life was somewhere waiting for me.  That “settling” never really happened, and I am HORRIBLE at staying connected.  Horrible.  It’s not a good thing.
• 22.  Become a more confident and consistent cook.  With the beginning of a new job, my time in the kitchen has dropped to almost zero.  I make toast, a quick fried egg, grab a salad, or whatever, but I cook essentially never.  It is really, really disheartening, and I’m longing for a change.  But, in all honesty, my schedule is not changing any time soon (in fact, it’s becoming more intense), so I’m not sure how well I will be able to work on this goal in the next while.

So, that’s where things stand at the moment.  And the goal – to keep on keepin’ on.

A 40 by 40 update

A few weeks shy of 11 months after posting my list of 40 things I would like to accomplish by the time I turn 40, it seems relevant to report in on my progress. The past year has been a time of pretty intense change in my life. I made the decision to leave a city and state I didn’t particularly love, not because I had somewhere better to be, but merely because I no longer wanted to be where I was. I left two jobs, both of which had aspects that were incredibly rewarding and aspects that were gnawingly upsetting. Neither job was sustainable financially, nor offered enough benefits (like health insurance or benefits of any kind) to stay long term. So it was time to go. As such, much of the year has been spent addressing old commitments and responsibilities while trying to create and allow space for new ones to develop. It hasn’t necessarily been a wish list year, but definitely a building year nonetheless.

There are only two things I feel prepared to cross off my 40 by 40 list:

First, “21. Take a self-defense class.” I took a six-week self-defense class this Fall at the local gym. My instructor was this tall, skinny ex-Marine with a black belt in Tae Kwon Do who was pretty much a ninja (and who thinks his sensei may be training him to be an assassin). He is also a very cool dude. I learned a ton, perhaps most importantly that my knowledge (and skill) is very limited. I left the class with a collection of useable moves and knowledge, but also understand that self-defense is a practice – one of those “use it or lose it” skill sets. I’m hoping not to have to put my newly acquired skills into active use, and yet I don’t want to forget the things I’ve learned. In fact, I’d love for them to become instinctual. Short of taking up martial arts, I’m uncertain how that will come to pass, so in the meantime I am content to say I took the class and will figure out the next step later.

Second, I can officially cross “5. Earn a Masters degree” off the list. It has been a long, tedious path and even saying “I did it, finally” seems like tempting fate. Most every roadblock that could have impeded my work did. IRB folks took a month off while I faced down a deadline they imposed. The academic advising folks decided at the last minute to try to hold me accountable to program requirements implemented two full years after I began the program. An advisor gave me an “R” grade (an incomplete in a research course) for no discernable reason and didn’t change it to a letter grade (an “A,” thank you very much) ‘til the eleventh hour when I was facing down a deadline that would have prevented me from graduating. And that doesn’t include the numerous years and hundreds of hours it took to complete the thesis itself. It’s been a long journey. But, as of Tuesday afternoon, I have an email and a transcript informing me that my degree has indeed been conferred. Thank goodness. Now I can walk away from the hellish bureaucracy and focus on more important things. (And yet, it still doesn’t feel real. And I have a month-long wait until they send me my actual degree. That’s one VERY expensive piece of paper.) Regardless… yay!

I have one goal that I completed roughly one-third of: “16. Buy a bicycle and a helmet. And ride whenever possible.” A bicycle was bequeathed to me by an old roommate who moved to Iowa and knowingly left it in our basement. I carted the bike across the country with me when I moved, but never succeeded in getting the tune up I decided it needed, nor in buying a helmet. Thus, no riding took place. And now it’s cold and wet and I’m not hardcore enough to ride in the wintery ick. I have hopes for completing the remainder of the goal next Spring/Summer…

Running Man. (The yoga pose, not the dance move.)
image via Kate Taylor

And I have three goals that are what I would consider “lifestyle goals” – the kind that you can’t really accomplish except continually. (As such, I am uncertain the requirements for successfully checking them off of my list. Something to ponder…) First, I have tried (with varying levels of success) to “17. Be committed to having physical activity as a central component of life. This can include running, yoga, pilates, biking, etc. on a regular basis (at least 3-4 times a week).” I’ve been taking a fantastic yoga class at the local gym with a wonderful teacher that challenges me and makes me feel strong. (On Monday I learned the Running Man, though I hold mine barely above the ground, not all fancy high-in-the-sky like the photo to the right. Wow!)

My ridiculously adorable niece
with whom I spent 60+ hours a week.

And before I was nannying 60 hours a week I was getting to the gym roughly three times a week. Now it’s once or twice. It’s hard (for me) to build in time for intentional physical activity when I leave for work at 6am and get home 6:30pm or after. So, a goal in progress… (and that’s okay).

Second, I’ve had the opportunity to “25. Play the piano regularly again.” I’m currently living in a house with a piano and can play nearly any time I want. It’s lovely, and while I would really like to buckle down and play/practice an hour every day, or some similar routine, I’m grateful to have this happy outlet accessible as time permits. I often play 15-20 minutes a few times a week. It makes me happy. (And helps me see both how much my piano skills really have remained instinctual and how much has slowly faded of over the years of non-use.) It’s a joyful time, nonetheless.

And third, I’ve been able to “26. Join a regularly performing choral group that challenges me and brings me joy.” It’s nothing fancy – a local church choir, but one that does a good variety of music and holds itself to a high standard. It’s been great to practice my sight-reading skills and revisit the self-reliance of singing in a fairly small group (only 3-5 regular altos). And the obligation is minimal – rehearsal one night a week and performances on Sunday mornings. A few of the pieces we’ve done have included (one of my favorites) Manz’ “E’en So Lord Jesus Quickly Come” (this version is a bit slow, but…), Benjamin Britten’s “Jubilate Deo,” John Rutter’s “The Lord Bless You and Keep You,” “For the Beauty of the Earth,” and “Star Carol,” and the classic 16th century German carol “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.” And I’ve been working on remembering all those years of Latin, as well as once again picking up a Gregorian chant here and there. I’m grateful to be in a space that I can really sing. What a gift.

Otherwise, life carries on. And more changes seem to be on the horizon. I’m uncertain what 40 by 40 goals are next on the agenda, but I’ll fill you in as time passes. Hope you all are well!

40 by 40 Project: 40 Things to Accomplish Before 40

I’ve had this “Hopes & Dreams” Jar for something like eight years.  I think it was a gift from a friend, but I honestly don’t remember.  (Sarah, was it from you?)  It’s a lovely ceramic jar with a big ol’ cork lid, and somewhere along the way I actually decided to use it for the label already fired into the side.  So, scraps of paper holding sheepishly written goals and dreams got tossed in, and every once in a while – in a moment of inspiration – I pull down the jar and ruffle through the bits of paper, a process which generally results in my feeling unaccomplished, lazy, and/or ‘not trying hard enough.’  And yet, the idea of committing to the possibility of my dreams is pretty exciting.  So, having faith that I can actually accomplish a thing or two if I put my mind to it, I’m trying something a little different.  (And we shall see what becomes of this, being that the “Hopes & Dreams” Jar is perpetually covered in a thick layer of dust.) 

I am introducing my “40 by 40 Project: 40 Things to Accomplish Before 40.”  I was inspired by an old friend from high school (Hey MABs!) who’s working on a similar project, and it seemed like a wonderful way to do a little dreaming, vision planning, and imagining for the possibilities of my life.  Drawing from my “Hopes & Dreams” Jar and the innumerable lists I’ve made for myself in other moments of inspiration over the recent years, here is my 40 by 40 List as it stands right now.  I’ve got 10 years.  Let’s see what I can accomplish!

• 1.  Be a better communicator with friends.  Do a better and more concerted job of staying in contact with the people who are important to me.  Whether using phone, email, letters, or carrier pigeon, stay in touch and let them know how valuable they truly are.
• 2.  Travel to at least five continents.  So far I have spent time in North America (Mexico, Canada, & U.S.), Europe (Italy), and Asia (Japan & India), though I would joyfully visit new nations on each continent (Ireland and England are pretty high on that list), but ‘To Do’ destinations could include Central or South America (Guatemala, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru), Africa (Ghana or Togo, perhaps), and/or Australia/New Zealand.  I’m saying right now that I have no desire whatsoever to visit Antarctica.  None. (Winter 2013)
• 3.  Publish a piece of creative writing (poetry, short, essay, memoir, whatever) in a print publication worthy of being proud.  (To date:  short essay “Border Crossing” in the Fall 2008 edition of the WGS Newsletter.)
• 4.  Publish an article on education in a reputable education/parenting publication.  This could be related to educational best practice, music integration in ECED classrooms, school community atmosphere and communication (students, families, and teachers), diversity issues in educational spaces, etc.  (To date:  CCM report “The State of Play in Chicago’s Communities” (pdf), Summer 2010)
• 5.  Earn a Masters Degree.  Honestly, I thought this wouldn’t be so hard, but holy crap…  Just have to finish the thesis! (Fall 2011)
• 6.  Publish some aspect of my thesis in a scholarly publication.  Make my thesis mean more than “that one project that qualified me for a piece of paper saying I’m a ‘Master.’”  Have more than three people read my thesis work.
• 7.  Buy a new digital camera and learn to use it. (Winter 2013)
• 8.  Have a photograph published in a publication worthy of being proud.  (To date:  the DePaul University Study Abroad 9/2008 – 12/2010 wall calendar (My photo represented Mexico City for the month of November 2009.); CCM report “The State of Play in Chicago’s Communities” (pdf), Summer 2010)
• 9.  Get a full-time job with benefits.  Is it asking too much for a full-time job with benefits that I actually LOVE?! (Winter 2013)
• 10.  Get insurance – minimally just health care, but ideally health, dental, and vision.  Imagine! (Winter 2013)
• 11.  Pay off my student loans.
• 12.  Set up a retirement account/fund/plan so that if maintained I could actually retire someday.
• 13.  Open a saving account (again) and put 10% of my monthly income into it every month.
• 14.  Take Spanish lessons for more than six months.  (Ideally, take Spanish lessons until I can consider myself a successful Beginning/Intermediate Spanish speaker.)  Really work on comprehension and production of written and spoken practical Spanish.
• 15.  Learn more ASL, enough to understand and participate in basic, low-level conversation. (Winter 2013)
• 16.  Buy a bicycle and a helmet.  And ride whenever possible.  (Especially if I move somewhere lacking quality public transportation.)
• 17.  Be committed to having physical activity as a central component of life.  This can include running, yoga, pilates, biking, etc. on a regular basis (at least 3-4 times a week).
• 18.  Take a dance class.  Ballet and/or bellydance sound awesome.
• 19.  Learn to snorkel. 
• 20.  Learn rock climbing on a rockwall and/or on real rocks.
• 21.  Take a self-defense class. (Fall 2011)
• 22.  Become a more confident and consistent cook.  This does not mean learning how to cook meat.  But it does mean expanding my knowledge and skills around making healthy, delicious food.  (Learning more about spices and seasoning would be great.)  This also means learning to make things that actually go IN the oven, rather than just on the stovetop. 
• 23.  Learn to garden.  I’d like to have my own flowers/vegetable garden and learn to eat from it seasonally.
• 24.  Join a CSA.
• 25.  Play the piano regularly again.  It’d be great if I owned a piano, but playing someone else’s would be enough…
• 26.  Join a regularly performing choral group that challenges me and brings me joy.
• 27.  Take guitar lessons again with the goal of expanding my chord repertoire to more than five chords.  Be able to accompany myself in a passable way in the comfort of my own home.
• 28.  Get actively involved in an organization benefiting women, girls, and/or advocating gender and sexuality justice issues.
• 29.  Create a home with an inviting, joyous, comfortable, loving atmosphere.
• 30.  Build a ‘real’ home library.  I have TONS of books, but I want real bookshelves and for my books to be organized on those bookshelves in a way that’s easy to reference and welcomes others to share in the literature that I find engaging.
• 31.  Visit the Grand Canyon.
• 32.  See the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in person.
• 33.  Visit the Amazon Rainforest.
• 34.  Teach on the college/university level.  Teach educational sociology, diversity studies in education, educational best practice, multicultural/anti-bias education, etc. 
• 35.  Get a second Masters or a PhD.  But do this ONLY if it seems life-giving and comes from personal desire (not professional pressuring).
• 36.  Enroll in continuing adult education courses or certificate programs.  (There are a few Parenting Education and Diversity Studies certification programs that look pretty enticing.) (Winter 2013)
• 37.  Learn more about microfinance and support micro-loans.  (Kiva and Oikocredit may be good options.) 
• 38.  Go WWOOFing.
• 39.  Learn basic videography and video editing.
• 40.  Learn how to use Photoshop.

(When compiling my list it was also helpful to read some of the suggestions offered by Marelisa at Abundance Blog.  If you search "bucket list" online, you can find hundreds of other suggestions.)

last updated 12/22/2011 
last updated 1/1/2013