Wednesday, March 13, 2024

My Spring 2024 Goals/Bucket List

Spring is almost here, and that makes me so happy! I'm not a fan of the cold, snow and ice, so it's always a relief when spring comes.

As always, I have made a goals/bucket list for the spring and am hoping to get around half of this completed.

In no particular order, here is what I would like to do this spring:
  • Get rest of retreat photos printed and picked up
  • Get bedroom cleaned up
  • Begin relearning how to play the violin
  • Get bike ready for riding (inflate tires, put lights on)
  • Memorize 1 bible verse every 1-2 weeks
  • Read 1-2 books a month
  • Go for walks
  • Learn how to sew
  • Work on making t-shirt quilt
  • Go on self-dates
  • Paint
  • Dye Easter eggs
  • Draw with sidewalk chalk
  • Create a fairy garden
  • Take photos
  • Make friendship bracelets
  • Write letters to friends
  • Go to my church's Easter mass
  • Reach 100% in a video game
  • Binge watch a TV show
  • Make charcuterie boards
  • Buy a new pair of sandals
  • Go thrift shopping
  • Color in a coloring book
  • Put together a puzzle
  • Knit or crochet a shawl
  • Make an Easter basket for myself
  • Play board/card games
  • Apply for a new job
  • Start a YouTube channel
  • Start a new skincare routine
  • Start a new haircare routine
  • Work on my mental health
  • Create and work on an art journal
  • Learn how to cook better, so I can make more meals for myself and my family
  • Learn Spanish
  • Learn how to be more confident in my speaking abilities
There will probably be more things that I will add to this list, but this is a good starting point for what I would like to do this spring.

I am so glad spring is almost here!


What is on your bucket list for spring?

Friday, February 23, 2024

Songs I Would Like to Learn How to Play on the Violin

I played the violin for a couple of years in elementary school, and I quit after that because at the time, I got bored of it. 

Now, I know that I quit because I didn't want to practice on a regular basis. Basically, I wanted to be good at playing the violin, but didn't want to put in the work and effort needed.

I regret quitting now, because I still have a love for the instrument, and want to play again. The thing is, since it's been so long since I've played, I don't remember a thing. I have forgotten how to read music, where the notes are on the strings, everything.

Which is frustrating for me. But, I am determined to relearn how to play, and to actually practice on a regular basis. I miss playing, and would love to be able to play again, and be proficient in it.

Of course, I want to start out learning easy songs, so I'm not overwhelmed by it. I plan on learning one song every week or so, depending on how easy or difficult it is.

In no particular order, here are the songs I would like to learn how to play on the violin:
  • Happy Birthday
  • Mary Had a Little Lamb
  • Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
  • The Star-Spangled Banner
  • Amazing Grace
  • Yankee Doodle
  • Brahms' Lullaby
  • My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
  • Danny Boy
  • Silent Night
  • Joy to the World
  • The Star Wars Theme song
  • Harry Potter theme song
  • We Wish You a Merry Christmas
  • Somewhere Over the Rainbow
  • Game of Thrones theme song
  • You Are My Sunshine
  • You Raise Me Up
  • Pure Imagination
  • Frere Jacques
  • For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
  • This Old Man
  • O Holy Night
  • Hot Cross Buns
  • Row Row Row Your Boat
  • What Do You Do with a Drunken Sailor
  • Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
  • Firework by Katy Perry
  • Happy by Pharrell Williams
  • My Heart Will Go On
  • Here Comes the Sun
  • Can You Feel the Love Tonight
  • La Bamba
  • A Whole New World
  • We Will Rock You
  • Good King Wenceslas
  • O Come All Ye Faithful
  • Jingle Bells
  • Deck the Halls
  • Angels We Have Heard on High
  • God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
  • Away in a Manger
  • A Thousand Years
  • Bella's Lullaby
  • Beauty and the Beast
  • In Christ Alone
  • Yellow Submarine
  • Part of Your World
  • Lean on Me
  • Any Dream Will Do
  • Oh Susanna!
  • Pomp and Circumstance
  • Love Theme from 'The Godfather'
  • Do-Re-Mi from 'The Sound of Music'
  • Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
  • Summertime
  • Pink Panther Theme
  • Nothing But the Blood of Jesus
  • How Great Thou Art
  • It is Well with My Soul
  • Jesus Loves Me, This I Know
  • To God Be the Glory
  • The Lord's Prayer
  • When the Saints Go Marching In
  • Hallelujah
  • What a Friend We Have in Jesus
  • Agnus Dei
  • Ave Maria
  • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
  • Ding Dong Merrily on High
  • Miracle Hymn
  • What a Beautiful Name
  • 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
  • Firm Foundation (He Won't)
  • O Come O Come Emmanuel
  • Can't Help Falling in Love
  • Hanging Tree
  • Frosty the Snowman
  • This is Halloween
  • Waltz from Sleeping Beauty
  • Jeopardy Theme
  • Eleanor Rigby
  • Theme from Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Carol of the Bells
  • When You Wish Upon a Star
  • Super Mario Bros.
  • Tale as Old as Time
  • Do You Want to Build a Snowman?
  • How Far I'll Go (from Moana)
  • Waymaker
  • What a Wonderful World
  • Misty Mountains (from The Hobbit)
  • Auld Lang Syne
  • Schindler's List theme
  • Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo
  • Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
  • We Three Kings
  • This is Me from The Greatest Showman
  • Can't Help Falling in Love
  • The First Noel
  • Tale as Old as Time
I know this is a lot, but seeing as I haven't played in so long, I want to make up for it, I guess. And because I really do want to learn how to play all these songs.

There may be more songs I will add to this in the future, but this is enough to keep me busy for quuite a while, which I am happy about.

Like I said before, I am going to learn one song at a time and won't move on to the next song until I know how to play each one.


Do you play any instruments? If so, what do you play? If not, do you want to play one, and what would you like to play?

Monday, January 29, 2024

2024 Goals (A Little More Specific)

I have been thinking a lot about my goals, and figured I would like to be a little more specific with what I want to accomplish this year.

I have split them up into categories, to make it easier to find each goal, and to see how I want to grow in each category. Hopefully this will be the year that I actually work on many of these goals, as I tend to procrastinate a lot. And I want to change that.

These are in no particular order, but here is a somewhat more detailed list of my goals for 2024.

Relationships
Talk to at least one friend/family member a day
Have a few game nights with friends
Go on at least one trip with friends
Be in a loving, healthy relationship with a significant other
Go on adventures with friends/family/significant other
Make crafts together
Make new friends


Finances
Save more than I spend
Be wiser about the things I purchase/how much I purchase
Learn how to budget
Build up an emergency fund
Work towards becoming financially stable/independent
Track my spending


Work
Update my resume
Find a job that I love, that works for me
Stand up for myself/speak up, if something isn't right
Try networking
Develop skill sets
Gain new experiences
Improve work relationships
Learn to set boundaries
Gain hands-on experience in fields that I am interested in
Start a new degree


Health
Eat a more balanced diet
Some form of exercise every day (30-45 minutes a day)
Improve my daily hygiene habits
Drink more water every day
Improve my posture
Do a regular digital detox
Create a skincare routine that works for me
Create a haircare routine that works for me


Home
Get bedroom cleaned up
Redecorate bedroom
Keep bedroom clean
Declutter as much stuff as possible, that I don't need/want anymore
Create an ICE (In Case of Emergency) binder


Personal
Learn to speak up more
Don't worry about what others think of me
Pray every day
Deepen my faith
Deepen my relationship with God, Jesus
Do one thing a month, that is out of my comfort zone
Spend less time online (maybe down to 1 or 2 hours a week)
Learn Spanish a little each day
Learn how to play one song on the violin a week
Read up to 3 chapters of a book each day  
Get over my fear of driving (more specifically, of hitting someone or something), get more comfortable driving, and finally get my driver's license
Knit or crochet at least one item a month
Develop better social skills
Improve my public speaking skills
Work on my procrastination


I know this is a lot, but I want to at least get started on some, and complete others, depending on how long each goal takes to complete.

Hopefully I can actually make changes in my life, as things are slow for me now. I am in a sort of waiting/in-between period, and I am ready to really live my life. I am done with feeling like I am failing in life and am ready to do more. To be more than someone who is waiting for something to happen, instead of actually doing it.


Have you set any goals for 2024? How are you doing in achieving them?

Monday, January 1, 2024

My Word for 2024

For several years now, I have bee doing a word for the year. I've done ok with sticking with my word of the year, but I can definitely do better.

Hopefully 2024 will be the year that I take it seriously, and work on doing better.

My word for 2024 is: COURAGE

For as long as I can remember, I have been very shy and afraid of speaking up for myself, as well as doing as much as I can for myself.

Being so shy, and not sticking up for myself, has made me feel like I couldn't do anything, and that I was missing out on what would be the best things for me.

This year, I want to say yes to doing more of the things I want to do, and no to staying on the sidelines. Yes to doing more things for myself, so that I can be as independent as possible, and no to being afraid of doing things.

I want to have more confidence, and less fear.

This year, I want to:

  • Reach out to my friends and family more
  • Become more comfortable with public speaking
  • Become more comfortable with making phone calls (and talking to people on the phone)
  • Take better care of my physical and mental health
  • Deepen my faith and relationship with God
  • Become more comfortable with starting a conversation with someone
  • Become more comfortable with praying out loud, in a group of people
  • Learn how to not care so much about what others think of me
  • Learn how to not doubt myself so much
  • Become more comfortable with driving, and to get my driver's license
  • Get a job that I will love, that works for me and my skillset
  • Pray every day, in the morning and before bed  
  • Say yes to more things that I want to do  
  • Create boundaries and stand up for myself
  • Go on a vacation by myself
  • Start a YouTube channel, and post regularly
  • Try indoor skydiving
  • Try the ropes course at camp (if I am able to go this year)
  • Teach myself how to play the violin
  • Teach myself how to play the ukulele
  • Try karate
  • Write compliments on sticky notes and leave them in random places
  • Have a photo shoot taken in public
  • Write and send letters to friends, telling them what they mean to me
  • Learn Spanish
  • Learn Sign Language
  • Play a song on the violin, in front of a group of people
I know this is a lot, but I want to stop being so afraid of going after the things I want, and of living up to my true potential.

Do you have a word for 2024?

Saturday, December 30, 2023

My Reading Bucket List for 2024

I did my own reading bucket list challenge last year, and I even though I didn't reach my goal, I did read more than what I had expected to, which is great for me.

I read 9 books in 2023, which is nowhere near the amount I hoped to read (I wanted to read 22 books).

This year I would hope to read 12 books. I know this isn't much more than what I was able to read this year, but I wanted to make it easier for me to reach my goal, since I had a few health issues pop up, that made it hard for me to want to read much during the second half of the year.

So, in no particular order, here is my reading bucket list for 2024:
  • Counting the Cost: A Memoir by Jill Duggar

  • A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

  • The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

  • Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis

  • Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

  • Beyond the Magic Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard by Tom Felton

  • Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst

  • Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

  • The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

  • Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear by Jinger Duggar Vuolo

  • Heaven: Your Real Home by Joni Eareckson Tada

  • Gentle and Lowly by Dane C. Ortlund
Well, there you have it. My reading bucket list for 2024. Hopefully I can read more this year than I did last year.

I may read other books, but these are the ones I would most like to read this coming year. 


What books are you wanting to read this year?

Friday, December 29, 2023

My Goals and Bucket List for 2024

How is it already the end of 2023?! This year went by way too fast for me.

Like I do every year, I have decided to make a list of goals/a bucket list for 2024, and I hope to get at least a third of this list completed.

I am more of a summer person, but with all of the heat and humidity we had this summer, I am looking forward to the cooler weather of Fall.

Here is my goals/bucket list for 2024:

  • Get my driver's license
  • Get into a loving, healthy relationship with a significant other
  • Get a job that I will love, and that works for me  
  • Be an STM at a Joni and Friends retreat
  • Relearn how to play the violin, and practice on a regular basis
  • Improve my relationships with my friends
  • Improve my baking and cake decorating skills
  • Read at least 2 books a month
  • Visit a friend in another state
  • Go horseback riding
  • Go to Medieval Times
  • Learn Spanish
  • Learn Sign Language
  • Work on writing a book
  • Figure out an exercise routine that works for me, and keep up with it
  • Knit or crochet a blanket
  • Knit or crochet a sweater for myself
  • Pray every day
  • Read the Bible every day
  • Become financially stable/independent
  • Get a tattoo in memory of my mom
  • Get a second piercing in each ear
  • Make chalk art
  • Fly a kite
  • Host a game night
  • Visit the farmer's market
  • Participate in an escape room
  • Go on a picnic
  • Go swimming
  • Ride my bike on a regular basis
  • Roller blade at least once a week
  • See a movie at a drive-in
  • Learn how to barbecue
  • Spend a day at the beach with friends
  • Have a photoshoot taken
  • Make popsicles
  • Work on becoming more comfortable with public speaking 
  • Spend a day (or more) in the city  
  • Go to a Renaissance fair  
  • Knit or crochet an infinity scarf  
  • Have a self care day at least twice a month   
  • Get a henna tattoo  
  • Go mini golfing  
  • Learn to sew  
  • Learn to love/be confident in who I am  
  • Update my résumé  
  • Get my vision rechecked  
What is on your bucket/goals list for 2024? I hope you have a happy and safe New Year!!

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

My Craft Bucket List for 2024

For a few years now, I haven't made anything, either by crochet or knitting, painting, or other form of craft, and I do miss it when I am not at it for long periods of time like this.

I got into knitting in 2010, shortly after my mom died, as a way to help me cope with her death. I am so glad I did this, as I now love to knit, and it broadened my love of making things.

About a year after I learned how to knit, I decided to pick up crochet as well, and am now pretty good in both forms of yarn crafts.

I also took up painting a couple of years ago, as it is something I have enjoyed doing in the past. I'm not the best at painting, but I love it, and it helps me process things going on in my life, as well.

Anyway, here is my 2024 craft bucket list:
  • Sweater for myself
    I made a sweater for my dad a few years ago, which was the first and only time I've ever made one, and now that I know I can make a sweater, I want to make one for myself.

  • Blanket

  • A spring junk journal

  • A summer junk journal

  • A fall junk journal 

  • A winter junk journal

  • Scrapbook/album for my 2021 Joni and Friends retreat photos

  • Scrapbook/album for my 2022 Joni and Friends retreat photos

  • Scrapbook/album for my 2023 Joni and Friends retreat photos

  • Socks

  • Paintings specific to my friends' interests

  • Pillows

  • Shorts

  • Shirts
Hopefully I can make at least half of these things in the coming year, as I love crafting and using my hands.


Are there things you would like to make in 2024?

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

What I Got for Christmas 2023

To those who celebrated, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!!

I can't believe Christmas day is over already. I always look forward to this time of year, where I get to see family, open presents, bake cookies, watch Christmas movies (which I am still doing!), and just enjoy the season.

Christmas eve we had Giordano's pizza (probably my favorite pizza ever!) and opened presents (my dad, brothers and I), and Christmas day we had an early dinner at a local Mexican restaurant with my sister and her family and opened some more presents. This was my first time going to the Mexican restaurant, and their food was really good!

I had a great Christmas season and am a bit sad that it's over already. It went by way too fast! 

In no particular order, here is what I got for Christmas this year:

  • Call the Midwife season 2 on DVD
  • Hawaii 5-0 season 1 on DVD
  • Outlander season 2 on DVD
  • Harry Potter Christmas tree ornament (this one wasn't on my list, but I love it!)
  • Hogwarts Legacy for PlayStation 4
  • 2 different sets of storage bins (one set to store out of season clothes and other items, and another set to store items that are used more often)
  • The Beginner Violinist: Easy Violin Sheet Music for Beginner Adults & Kids sheet music book
  • First 50 Songs You Should Play on Ukulele sheet music book
  • Rainy night walk 1,000-piece puzzle
  • Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle 3D puzzle
  • Sewing supplies (cutting mat, ruler, rotary cutters, sewing clips, straight pins)
  • See-through thinking putty
  • Fidget pop-it balls
  • Charger for my tablet

What did you get for Christmas? I hope you had a wonderful Christmas season, if you celebrated!!

Monday, December 4, 2023

My Favorite Christmas Movies

I love Christmas movies, and I watch as many of them as I can during the holidays. I'll even watch them throughout January, as I'm usually not ready for Christmas to be over then.

Christmas movies are one of my favorite ways to celebrate the holidays, and I am looking forward to watching them again!

In no particular order, here are my favorite Christmas movies:
  • A Christmas Carol (my favorite versions are the one with George C. Scott, the animated Disney version with Jim Carrey, and the Muppet Christmas Carol version)
  • A Christmas Story
  • The Polar Express
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas
  • Miracle on 34th Street (the original)
  • The Grinch
  • The Santa Clause 1, 2, and 3
  • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
  • Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
  • The Year Without a Santa Claus
  • The Little Drummer Boy
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas
  • Frosty the Snowman
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas
  • The Snowman
  • The Nativity Story
  • Arthur Christmas
  • The Christmas Candle
I love how there are so many different movies that we can choose from to watch for Christmas, and that I enjoy a variety of them. There are a mix of Christian and non-Christian movies that I enjoy, and I will definitely watch them every year.

I am looking forward to this Christmas season, as well as watching my favorite Christmas movies again.

If you celebrate Christmas, what movies do you like to watch? I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year's!

Sunday, December 3, 2023

My Christmas and Winter Goals/Bucket List for 2023-2024

How is it December already?! I don't really like the cold and the snow, but I do love the activities that come with the season.

As usual, I have made a list of things I would like to do during the winter, as well as for Christmas. I have been looking forward to Christmas for quite a while now, and I can't wait for it to get here.

I hope to be able to do at least half of the things on this list and am looking forward to getting started on it!

Without further ado, here is my bucket list for winter/Christmas:
  • Watch Christmas movies
  • Bake Christmas cookies
  • Clean up bedroom 10-15 minutes a day (yes, this is on my list; it is something I REALLY need to do!!)
  • Practice playing the violin 15 minutes a day
  • Drink hot chocolate
  • Send out Christmas cards
  • Make a blanket
  • Have a spa day
  • Read 1-2 books
  • Write 1-2 poems
  • Make paper snowflakes
  • Paint at least 1 picture
  • Binge watch at least one season of one of my favorite shows  
  • Decorate a gingerbread house
  • Go to a German Christmas market
  • Go to a local winter/Christmas fest
  • Learn how to apply my own makeup
  • Make a snowman
  • Make a Christmas stocking
  • Read A Christmas Carol
  • Go sledding
  • Go ice skating
  • Host a game night  
  • Go to a holiday craft fair
  • Make ornaments

If you celebrate Christmas, what are some things you would like to do for the holidays? I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

If you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful December!