Posted.

Are you on Facebook? Have you opened any links lately that have detailed how as a society we need to unplug, to limit our screen time. In the past two days I've read two articles that have sparked some thought bubbles. (I must admit that I've usually found these articles by scrolling through my news feed and reading them on my three-inch iPhone screen.)

The first article is about the need to appreciate the people who are in our lives that are actually in the room. Your phone is not the most important thing sitting next to you, your significant other is. About a week ago Brian and I went out to lunch at our favorite Pho restaurant. At the table next to us was a family of four, all of whom were glued to their phones. Not talking to each other or enjoying each other's company.

I think that I am pretty good about this one. I usually keep my phone put away during meal time, but there are other times when I'm a little too dependent on checking my Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest. I also used to read A LOT MORE, but some of my reading time has gone to screen time. So in the interest of one of my resolutions for 2014 I would like to limit my screen time. The best way to get me reading more and scrolling less is to try not to use my phone at night before I go to bed. This will probably help me sleep better and have fewer weird dreams about people I have only seen on Facebook within the past ten years.

Check this article out if you want to feel guilty about neglecting your significant other:
http://jarridwilson.com/why-im-getting-a-divorce-in-2014/

My favorite thought from the second article I read was the idea that some moments are sacred. Why interrupt a beautiful moment cuddling with your nephew so that other people can know how stinkin' cute your nephew is?! I love photos and capturing moments, but there are some moments that you really just need to feel and appreciate. What I liked about this article was that it went to the root of why we post these things for other people to see and how much better it actually serves ourselves to savor the moment than it does to exploit the moment. This is something that is a challenge to me because I do want everyone to know how wonderful my boyfriend is or how cute my nephews are. It is also difficult not to see everything posted on Facebook as sort of selfish calls of attention. We all love attention but I think a little censorship on private moments is a good thing.

Here is the link for the second article:
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/tech/5-questions-ask-posting-social-media

All this being said I'll probably still use my phone too much and post too much to my Facebook and Instagram. It wouldn't be something I had to type on my blog if I didn't need something to stay accountable to!

2014 Resolutions.

Last year was pretty awesome.... 2014 has a lot of living up to do! I already have some amazing things planned, but lets get down to the nitty gritty. It's resolution time!

Here are the resolutions I've had since creating this blog:

2013:

#1: Run for fun. Don't get injured. Run another half-marathon.

#2: Read for fun.

#3: Show more love. 

#4: Plan a trip somewhere I've never been.

2012:

#1: Run a FULL MARATHON

#2: Make chores a priority

#3: Save Money

#4: Eat out less often

2011:

#1: Give more

#2: Read with meaning

#3: Take more photos and learn more about photography

#4: Run a half-marathon

#5: Eat clean

2010:

#1 is: Be Fearless....No matter what, don't be afraid to do anything that makes me happy.

#2 is: Travel more
#3 is: Read 100 books
#4 is: Drink more water

Life Resolutions:

Travel the world, drink more water, be more fearless, give more love the little things.

Some of these resolutions I've checked off with success, while others seemed to fade as the year went on. Most of them have caused me to lead a healthier and happier life. Take 2010's Drink more water. I made that resolution because I had a serious problem with diet soda. Like 7ish a day. No joke. While I still on occasion drink a soda, I now drink primarily water. I actually don't remember the last time I drank a soda! While being fearless is something I will always struggle with, my resolution to run a half-marathon was a success and I found a love for running!

So here we go for 2014! The list of things that will determine my goals for not only my coming year, but also set in motion things that will affect me for the rest of my life. 

#1: Read 30 books.

Yes that is an arbitrary number. Its challenging enough because it is as many books as I've read in the past two years combined, but also completely attainable if I set my mind to it. 

#2: Stretch.

This is such an important resolution for me. Even through training for 3 half-marathons I've never been a dedicated stretcher. I know there are many views on how important stretching is or isn't, all I know is that my muscles need it and feel better when I do it. It could possibly be the only way I get back to achieving my exercise goals. So yoga here I come. 

#3 Sign up for a race.

Any distance. I just need to get back into racing again! I love the challenge and need to get a jumpstart! I also believe this resolution will set me up for an even bigger 2015 running resolution. 

#4: Blog at least once a week. 

Don't roll your eyes! I can do this! I just need to make it a habit. Also, If I'm reading more it will be easy to at least put a book update in! 

So there you have it, 2014's resolutions. All completely doable! Watch out 2014 I'm coming for you!

That was a good year.

A little more than four years ago I started this blog with a pretty simple idea in mind, to read 100 books in 365 days. From that idea came the desire to set resolutions (goals) to challenge myself to become a better person. Within the past few years I've reached many of those goals and have continued to set new ones along the way. All with the idea that there are always things to learn, habits to break, and new places to see. Although I haven't kept blogging as regularly as I may have hoped, I still enjoy looking back on the things I've accomplished through this online journal. 

With the new year upon us it is time to look back on the year 2013. It was certainly a year of adventure! It was filled with travel, new family members, and a continued journey in discovering myself. 

At the beginning of 2013 I set these resolutions:

#1: Run for fun. Don't get injured. Run another half-marathon.

#2: Read for fun.

#3: Show more love. 

#4: Plan a trip somewhere I've never been.

If I only remember one thing from 2013 it will be the incredible trip I took to Malawi, Africa. The journey didn't begin when I stepped onto the plane on August 11, it began when I decided to sponsor a little boy named Mphatso. Although I had never dreamed of traveling to Africa, I couldn't deny this wonderful opportunity to challenge myself in ways I'd never imagined. Taking myself completely out of my comfort zone I began asking people to help me get to Africa. At the time this was so very difficult for me, but I was so humbled by the outpouring of generosity from family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers. 

That brings me to my third resolution, to show more love. I guess I can't really judge for myself if other people felt more of my love this year or now.... but I can say that I have never felt so much love. 

Seriously my heart is bursting with it!

While in Malawi we had several task, my priority was to take photos that would then be used to tell the stories of the children we were interviewing in Children of the Nation's programs. Although snapping photos was important I really believe just being there to hold a child's hand, play soccer with them and give them a hug (aka: showing more love) was the real reason we were there.

Traveling to Malawi certainly checks off resolution number four from my list, but I was also blessed to do some more traveling during 2013.

Kauai in January.

California in May.

Paris in August.

Resolutions #1 and #2 were not as fulfilled as my other two. I still struggle with knee pain when I run. I think I've discovered part of the problem is my weak core. I need to strengthen my hips and abs to better support all the tendons going to my knees and ankles. As they say, everything is connected! My days of half-marathoning are not over!! If it is important enough for me, I will find a way to come back from this injury!

As for the reading resolution... Maybe I was a little too lenient with myself. I feel pretty disappointed with my showing for the year. Maybe I'm still a little burned out, but I would like to make reading more of a priority for the future!

Some other things that filled my time and challenged me this year....

 My garden was the best it has ever been! Consistent watering and lots of love really paid off this year! Seriously, look at that tomato!

I also began a little business for myself. On top of my full time job I've also become a stylist for Stella & Dot. This has definitely challenged me to get out of my comfort zone!

So there ya have it folks! 2013 in a little nutshell. So many more amazing things happened! I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for me!

Zikomo Kwambiri.

Zikomo Kwambiri.

"Thank you very much," in Chichewa.

That's what I would like to say right now.

Thank you to all the people who helped me get to Malawi. I never would have made it without those of you who bought a raffle ticket, sat with me at my garage sale, bought jewelry from my fundraiser, donated money, and prayed for my safe travel.

Thank you to the people of Malawi who showed us how true the nickname, "The Warm Heart of Africa," really is.

Thank you to British Airways & South African Air for not delaying any of your flights.

Thank you to Brian for being such a wonderful traveling partner.

If the experience of raising money and traveling to Africa has taught me one things, it's to be grateful and thankful always.

When I returned home from Africa there was definitely some culture shock. Working in an American restaurant will do that to you after you've just spent any amount of time in a country where the vast majority of people live on less than $1.25 a day. I found myself becoming a little jaded about our culture.

Thoughts like, "Oh, you'd like your fourth refill of ice water brought to you right this minute? Isn't it nice that you don't have to walk two miles in the African heat to hand-pump water from a well, water that isn't even clean, water that will probably make you and your children sick? Isn't that nice?!"

Yeah, I had a lot of thoughts like that during my first couple of days of being back to my regular life. I like to call then my: run-on-sentence-rants. I was feeling almost ashamed of my own culture, which was making me feel like my time in Africa was a distant memory.

After reading a book called, "Unearthed," and talking a bit with Brian I was able to reason with myself a bit. I was able to really figure out what it was that was bothering me so very much. It wasn't that we have so much here, although it does seem unfair, it isn't even that we expect the finest things. What bothers me so much is how ungrateful we have become. I don't honestly believe that just because there are parts of the world where people only eat rice and beans that we should only eat rice and beans. I like nice things just like everyone else. The problem is that we don't appreciate how good we have it, we just want more of it.

I realize that it is not fair of me to be the judge of our culture... especially since I am a product of it. So, as always, I found clarity in a book I'm reading. The book is called, "The Postmistress," and it is wonderful. I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to read, except that I needed to read this specific page today. The story is complex, but one of the characters is a female WWII correspondent who has just returned to New York after spending time in Europe. She wants to quit, she's had enough and has become sufficiently jaded by her experience. She feels like the people in America are too far removed from the war and will never really understand. These few lines directly relate to my experience:

"People can't imagine what they haven't seen," he answered. "That's why they need you."
"You signed up to see what they haven't," he observed. "You can't blame people for it."

So today I challenge you to think about some thing in your life that you you are thankful for, something that maybe you take for granted. Maybe even something so small as clean water.

Africa taught me many things, but the biggest lesson I learned was to be thankful.

Love on.

Last year I was a real slacker when it comes to reading. It is only April 29th and I've already read as many books this year as I did in all of last year. I feel like I've finally found a really good reading pace. I'm not forcing myself to read, but I'm also not feeling like I should be reading more. Two or three books a month feels perfect. The books I've read so far in 2013 have ranged from autobiographical to creepy thrillers. I will say that I haven't read a book so far this year that I've really loved. I've read some that have kept me entertained and some that I've struggled to finish, but nothing I'm raving about. So, as always, feel free to pass on any book recommendations you think I might enjoy.

If you've read my blog in the past you know a few things about me:

1. I'm not very good about regular blogging.
2. I like to read.
3. I like to make lists.
4. Most of those lists are resolutions.

I gave myself some REALLY easy resolutions this year.

Run for fun. Read for fun. Show more love. Plan a trip somewhere I've never been before.

Well... the list of places I've never been is pretty long, but I have something exciting to tell you! I'm going to Africa! More specifically I'm going to Malawi. It is located in the Southeast of Africa, right next to Mozambique and Zambia. It is a beautiful country with warmhearted people. It is also an incredibly poor country. With an economy based mostly on agriculture, about 65% of the population lives under the poverty line.

While going somewhere new is exciting, this is not a vacation. As some of you may know, my amazing boyfriend Brian works for an organization called Children of the Nations. They work within Uganda, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic to raise children who will transform nations. They do this through partnerships with villages as well as children's homes. These are children who without COTN wouldn't have a chance to survive. COTN gives these children a roof over their heads, food to eat, clean water to drink, as well as an education. These are things that we take for granted everyday.

This trip will check off two really big resolutions. I can't wait to experience a completely different culture at the same time I'm also showing love to children who don't receive enough of it.

This trip will challenge me in a number of ways. Traveling to new places always takes you out of your comfort zone, but I've never been this far out of my zone!!! I will also have to receive several vaccinations, I'm not even sure how many yet. The hardest part will be raising the money necessary to go on a trip like this. Fundraising is something I haven't had to do since my days slinging cookies in a Brownie's uniform. The more people I talk to about the process the more relaxed I get. A mission trip like this is not for everyone, but most people would like to support the cause in some way. That could be by donating supplies, sponsoring a child or donating money. The most important thing is that people hear about the amazing work COTN is doing.

While I'm excited to meet all of the children, I'm most excited to get the opportunity to meet this little guy!

Mphatso is the little boy I sponsor. He lives in the village of Mgwayi. He and I share a birthday.... which is a pretty big deal because I don't share my birthday with just anyone.

If you'd like to hear more about my trip or about ways that you can contribute to Children of the Nations email me at ehmichelson@yahoo.com

A Fresh Start.

I'm pretty big on new year's resolutions. January 1st is a fresh start for most and I partake accordingly with resolutions and optimism for the new year. January 1st is an arbitrary date and your fresh start could begin any day at any moment.... The beginning of the year just so happens to be a popular date.

At the beginning of the calendar year I'm like everyone else and set goals for the coming year, it's not until my birthday that I feel like I get my fresh start . As you may know, I'm a little superstitious.... so every year I do a little preparing for the 11th of February. Basically I get super OCD. It might be because it is a touch closer to Spring or maybe because I don't have Christmas clogging my time, but I get kinda crazy with the cleaning. Most years that means my floors are clean, the laundry is all folded and my sink is clear of dishes. This year I seemed to take it a couple of steps further, I cleaned out every inch of my house. I went through my closet, bookshelves, jewelry box, under the bed, all my drawers and every basket! Enough to pack my car with donations for Goodwill. I can't even tell you how good that feels! Everything in my house has a place and there is no clutter to be found. I completed tasks I've had on my to-do list since I moved into this house. That box of CD's that I haven't touched for years?! All imported on to my computer! I feel like a load has been lifted off of my shoulders!

When I wake up tomorrow it will be to a clutterless home! I can't think of a better birthday present.

Missed it by That Much....

It is day four of February.... four days into my first week of my new budget system. Always enjoying a bit of a challenge, I was actually pretty excited about my first grocery shopping trip. I felt as though I was set up for success. I had created a meal plan for the week and had created a shopping list that I remembered to bring to the store! As I walked the aisles I kept a mental tally of an approximate amount I was spending. When I reached the checkout stand I was pretty excited, I knew it would be close.... but I felt pretty confident I was under my $50 budget. As each item was scanned I watched the monitor, making sure my club card discounts were being applied. Then when the final item was scanned and the total came up.... I couldn't help but sigh a little. I missed my budget mark by 87 cents. Pretty disappointing, but I wont beat myself up too much after all I am still learning.

So, where did I spend my money?

Produce:
Apple (2)
Green bell pepper
Yellow bell pepper
Romaine lettuce
Onion
Sweet potato
Banana (4)

Meat:
Pork chops
Ground turkey
Lunch meat

Dairy:
Eggs (6)
Butter
Milk
Sour cream
Yogurt

Frozen:
Peas

Grocery:
Soy sauce
Tortillas
Baguette

At this point in my shopping I was feeling pretty please with myself. I had managed to stay on the perimeter of the store (which most nutritionists will tell you is the healthiest place to shop) and I hadn't purchased any "off list items." I figured I had spent about $42 so far. So when I passed a wine display that had a decent bottle of Two Vines Merlot on sale for $7.50 I knew it was close. Whelp, that bottle of wine put my over with it's added tax.... something I hadn't really taken into consideration.

Here are a few lessons from my first week of budgeting:

1. If you shop every week you won't need to buy so much! I hadn't been to the grocery store in almost two weeks so I really needed lots of stuff.... including things I don't buy ever trip like butter (which is kind of expensive).

2. Remember to count the tax.

3. Meal plans are the only way to stay on budget.

4. You still need to get some of the things that you enjoy... so save some $$$ for wine.

My week isn't up yet so I can't say whether or not I stuck completely to my budget, but so far so good.

You'll notice that the .87 went over in to my second column. The second column is my budget for other expenses throughout the week, other necessities that are not food related. This is also an overflow area for groceries. Soooo technically I'm still on budget for the week.

Book update:

5. The Five Love Languages-  Gary Chapman

I can't stop telling people about this book. I had learned a little bit about love languages while in a Communication class back in college, but like most things I learned in school I remembered the theory but not the details. So I bought it on my NOOK. Such a mistake! This is book to share and reread and maybe even take notes on.

The Five Love Languages is based on the theory that everyone has different ways of showing love and how they feel love. If they are not getting love in the way they need to, then their "love tank" is on empty. The book is filled with examples of couples who have been together for years who's marriages and relationships are suffering because they aren't showing love to their significant other in the way that their significant other receives love. That might not make total sense so obviously read the book or head on over to the book's website that has a lot more information.

Here are the languages:

Physical touch.
Quality time.
Acts of service.
Words of affirmation.
Receiving gifts.

Maybe just by reading the list you can say to yourself, "Obviously mine would be acts of service, I love it when my wife makes me dinner."

I don't think anyone would be surprised to know that my love language is receiving gifts. Before I read the book I might have been able to tell you that, but after I read it I don't feel like that is such a shallow way of feeling loved. It doesn't mean I need to get big boxes of presents all the time to feel loved (although I don't mind! :-)). It can be anything from a love note to bringing me my favorite soda. I've also come to realize that this is how I show my love for people.

This book is a great way to get your mind thinking about how you can better love the people in your life and how you can be better loved.

Love=Happiness